Employment Advocate to speak at recruitment industry Board Lunch- Workplace Agreements explained

Recruitment and on-hire business managers will learn how to utilise workplace agreements under the new WorkChoices laws at the RCSAís (Recruitment and Consulting Services Association) first Board Directorís Lunch for the year in Sydney on Thursday 1 February.

In a bid to create closer ties with the Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA), Chief Executive Officer of the RCSA, Ms Julie Mills, said Employment Advocate, Peter McIlwain, has been invited to present at the Board Lunch and provide the Membership with a greater understanding of how workplace agreements can be used to benefit their businesses.

ìAs the second largest employer of labour in Australia, the recruitment and on-hired employee services industry continues to be instrumental to the adoption of workplace agreements under WorkChoices,î Ms Julie Mills said.

ìWith a focus on compliance and the maintenance of standards we need to better understand the broader policy position and function of the OEA, as well as how we, as an industry, can form closer ties,î she said.

Mr McIlwain, whose core function under the WorkChoices legislation includes the promotion of agreement-making and its advantages to employees and employers, is set to discuss:

The developing role and policy positioning of the OEA
Why workplace agreements should be considered
How the OEAís function may impact the recruitment and on-hire employee services industry; and
How the RCSA and its Business Support Service providers can work together for the benefit of Members.

McIlwainís address to the recruitment industry follows recent presentations by Professor Ian Harper of the Australian Fair Pay Commission and Mr Bill Scales of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

ìWhile a large number of our Members and clients of Members are implementing workplace agreements and managing the introduction of the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, we have found these Board luncheon presentations to be an excellent way for government agency representatives to engage and educate the industry,î Ms Mills said.

ìThis event will also provide a platform for the launch of the expanded RCSA Business Support Service for Members, a reconstituted facility providing tools such as template AWAs and collective agreement solutions,î she said.

To attend the RCSA Board Lunch please register at www.rcsa.com.au, or for more information on the RCSA Business Support Service email bss@rcsa.com.au.