NEW MEMBER Vision Self Storage Management

Introducing Vision Self Storage Management

A new alternative for independent single or multi self storage facility owners

The team at Vision has a wealth of knowledge and is headed up by Managing Director Gavin Koorey an owner/ operator of multiple facilities in the self storage industry for over 20 years. During this time Gavin and his team have developed a deep understanding of self storage operations and what it takes to be a successful independent operator in competitive markets.

With aggressive growth strategies and acquisitions happening in the market Vision offers a real and exciting alternative for facility owners seeking an exit strategy from the day to day operations but don’t necessarily want to sell or rebrand their facility. Gavin says “under our model, you are not over committing one way or the other, your facility can continue to operate as normal and you still get to enjoy the consistent cash flow and capital growth that comes with owning a self storage business”. Gavin also highlighted that facilities under third party management often see positive growth from improvements in the areas of operational efficiencies, regular and targeted training for staff and focusing on dynamic rate management to name a few. Full transparency and reporting then documents this performance for the facility owners’ peace of mind that their facility is being run to its full potential.

The team at Vision is looking forward to speaking with facility owners over the coming months to share their story. Alternatively if you would like to make contact with Gavin you can call him directly on 0416 287 330 today for a strictly confidential discussion. l

From left to right: The Vision Team - Tracy Salmon, Gavin Koorey and Adam Dawson.

2021 is shaping up to be the strongest selling market we have seen for many years.

WHY IS THIS THE CASE?

l NEW and EXISTING buyer groups are competing heavily for Self Storage assets l Significant weight of capital attracted to this stable asset class l Historically low interest rates

For a confidential discussion regarding your facility/facilities, call Matt Walsh

Highway Frontage Real Estate 0411 880 054 | 1300 661 950

L1. 146 Chapel St, St Kilda VIC 3182

mwalsh@highwayfrontage.com.au www.selfstoragerealestate.com.au

HIGHWAY FRONTAGE ARE SSAA MEMBERS

COVID-19 vaccinations

What are your rights? By Stephen Pehm Action OHS.

The Coronavirus vaccine is here and is currently being administered to ‘high risk’ Australians and New Zealanders. When vaccines become available to all of us, will SSAA Members be able to order their employees to get it as a condition of coming to work?

Employers have an obvious incentive to want their employees vaccinated as this will significantly reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 at their workplace. This incentive is consistent with an employer’s duty under the various Australian and NZ WHS legislation to provide a safe workplace for their employees.

Despite this, there is no current clear legal direction for employers as of February 2021. The Australian Fair Work Ombudsman on its website states that “There are currently no laws or public health orders in Australia that specifically enable employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus”.

But can an employer still insist on the vaccination as a condition of employment? Barrister Ian Neil SC and RMIT University academic Anthony Forsyth recently told the Sydney Morning Herald, “that while employers in Australia had the power under industrial workplace laws to issue ‘lawful and reasonable’ directions that could be used to compel staff to get vaccinated, this section of the law had not been tested in court for that purpose.”

Legal precedent also suggests that the answer is not clear, as indicated by two recent unfair dismissal cases taken to the Australian Federal Fair Work Commission. Both involved employers in 2020, making an influenza vaccination a requirement and employees losing their jobs for refusing. In one case, the Commission ruled that it was ‘at least ... arguable’ that a childcare centre that sacked a worker for refusing a flu jab was in the right because it sought to protect the children in its care.

While one of these cases is still being heard, the bottom line appears to be that an employer’s right to mandate vaccinations may depend on the context in Australia. An employer seems to be able to make vaccination a condition of working – but with significant caveats. It depends on ‘balancing’ the employer’s duty of care to others with the employee’s reason for refusal and the circumstances of the work they do. Whether self storage facilities will meet these circumstances remains to be seen.

In New Zealand, it appears to be less likely that employers will force their employees to get vaccinated due to the Bill of Rights Act (1990), which mandates that medical treatment requires informed consent.

Despite this, the (NZ) South Island Chamber of Commerce states: “That under some circumstances it may be considered a ‘reasonable instruction’ to require vaccination where there was evidence it would significantly reduce health risks of employees or improve business efficiency – and where no other options provided equally as effective protection against COVID-19.”

The Chamber also said employers could insist new employees were vaccinated against COVID-19-19 except if it breached discrimination rules, including their religious beliefs and for medical reasons.

Whether in New Zealand or Australia, you, as a Self storage Facility employer, can take concrete steps to allay any fears or reservations of your staff and encourage them to get the COVID-19 vaccination by: l Talking to them about getting vaccinated. Consultation is a legal requirement for workplace safety in Australia and New

Zealand and helps build trust within the workforce. l Providing evidence-based medical advice to answer any vaccination-related questions. l Providing incentives to get vaccinated. For example, paid leave or bonuses. l Assessing the risk of not everyone at your facility being vaccinated.

Will it be essential that ALL your workers need to be vaccinated? l Reviewing roles and the risk level of positions, considering the likely exposure of workers and others who are impacted by the work performed, along with the consequence of exposure. l Planning to protect workers with unknown or no immunity if you don’t achieve 100% vaccination.

Give consideration to the vaccination for staff returning to the workplace after working from home. For example - will the administration of the vaccine make them more comfortable to return to the workplace?

All SSAA employer members are urged to keep abreast of this important issue by monitoring the news. SSAA will report updates on this important issue as they arise. l

Want to find out more? Check out the SSAA Health & Safety Handbook on the Member Services Portal, SSAA website, or contact the SSAA OHS Help Desk via admin@ selfstorage.com.au | 1800 067 373.

The OH&S Help Desk has been established by the SSAA to support its members. This advisory service is free. Free call 1800 067 313 (Australia); 0800 444 356 (New Zealand); or emailadmin@selfstorage.com.au.