Work Choices: Industrial Relations Reform in Australia

Not long ago, the Australian Government’s much-dreaded Work Choices system came into effect. One of the more controversial changes in the new industrial relations package is the elimination of ‘unfair dismissal’ protections for the majority of employees.

This has been the primary source for unprecedented panic in the workforce, and very serious backlash toward the incumbent government, but what exactly is the problem here?

Everybody loves visiting Australia because the people here are so laid back and friendly. We are perceived fairly accurately, as having a very relaxed attitude and not a hell of a lot of regard for authority and status. Everyone’s our ‘mate’ and don’t worry about the troubles tomorrow brings, ’she’ll be right’.

We relaxed carefree Australians have enjoyed protected employment for a very long time. Regardless of whether an employer might have reasonable grounds to dismiss an employee, the burden of documentation, warnings and proof are enough to dissuade them from trying, unless the situation is just so terrible that this employee is causing more than just their own salary-worth of trouble.

Compared to other countries with merely 20 million people we earn well, we have extremely high quality of life, and we maintain this culture of a relaxed and jovial workplace. Almost uniquely, we Australians cheat the system — and we bloody-well know it.

This reaction of unbridled fear amongst all employment sectors and age groups is nothing but a clear and resounding affirmation that we know we’re screwing around and bullshitting our bosses too much. Why else would we react this way?

It makes no sense to me, that an employer who is clearly looking to serve his or her own best interests would dismiss or otherwise risk losing employees who have established themselves as valuable members of the organisation. That would be counter-productive.

Equally so, would be turning into a monster employer who breathes fire, and dismisses employees for using too many staples. There just are not that many monopolies in the Australian market. The good people will gravitate (as they do already) to the good workplace environments - ones which reward good employees.

In reality, the only people who seem to have anything to worry about with regard to ‘unfair’ dismissal, are the ones who are riding that bleeding edge between actually working, and simply showing up. Unfortunately that seems to cover a much larger percentage of the Australian workforce than I would like to admit on an international medium. We’re a lazy embarrassment and we know it. That’s why as a collective, we’re shitting ourselves over these changes.

As an owner of a small business, and as a very bloody useful employee in my day… I am actually really glad that there is now some real demand for people to step up, learn and contribute. Be useful or be gone