23MarHorror Stories of the HR World
Posted on 23/03/2015 by Nine2Three
Human Resource consultant asks a restaurant owner if she is aware of ‘what award her staff are employed under?’
She replies that she ‘has no idea’.
HR consultant then asks ‘How do you know what wages to pay them and how much overtime, penalty rates etc. to pay’?
Business owner ‘I just picked a figure’
This is a reality. Imagine how open to risk this business owner is. Chances are she is not paying her staff anywhere near what they should be paid and possibly leaving out overtime, weekend penalty rates and allowances.
Talking to this business owner is akin to watching a train crash about to happen. As a HR consultant, we have seen it all before.
What about the business owner who did not realise that there were minimum hours that needed to be paid for casual staff and then was caught out when the employee found this out as well and made complaints.
What about the employer who paid an employee in cash, and did not record it and then found that the employee came back claiming underpayment, but conveniently not including any of the cash payments. Paying wages with cash and not recording it is not only illegal, but stupid. You can kiss that money goodbye if it comes into a dispute.
What about the boss who classified their staff as level 3, only to find after three years, when the staff resigned, she put a claim against them claiming she was really a level 5 and should have had a higher pay rate.
What about the employee who spread malicious rumours that had no factual basis? How can you deal with that?
What about the clients who are called before the Fair Work Commission and call us to assist them to prepare and then represent them at the Commission?
Sadly there are lots of horror stories working as a HR consultant.
Most of them happen because business owners have thought that having a HR capability was a ‘nice’ to have instead of a ‘need’ to have.
Unfortunately, they found out rather quickly that this is not the case.
Preparation is the key with HR.
Knowing what to have detailed in writing, where and when to collect signatures, how to treat workers in a fair and equitable manner and the parameters of the National Employment Standards and any industry or occupation award you may be covered under.
If you are not feeling confident – give us a call and we will assist you to sleep better at night! 1300 923 000
Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.
Posted in I Need HR Help
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