Growing the labour supply

a WA innovation

BY STUART SCOTT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, STUDIUM

ALOCAL start-up is helping primary producers deal with labour shortages caused by the pandemic.

Backed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Studium has created a free platform that helps connect employers and jobseekers in areas of high need. It’s part of the temporary Jobs in Food and Agriculture initiative, supporting jobs and filling seasonal labour shortage issues that have arisen as our borders have locked down. “The COVID-19 crisis has absolutely reinforced the important of agriculture and we are working closely with WA industry leaders to keep our supply chains open and businesses operating,” Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said. “We know primary producers are concerned about labour shortages — the new FoodAllianceWA website will help fill these gaps by connecting businesses with workers who have been displaced from other industries such as hospitality.” “Employers can also search the new online database to find workers with specific skills and qualifications such as forklift tickets, construction white cards or livestock experience.” Studium CEO Stuart Scott said the platform was designed for headhunting based on skills, attributes and experiences and allowed employers to get to suitable candidates quickly. “What we are looking for is partnerships with the local business communities, to jump on board the platform if they are looking for candidates.” The platform — which was initially geared towards helping students, and graduates find opportunities and employers find talent — has shifted it's focus to fill the current need. It’s already been overwhelmed by the level of interest from candidates, and in a few short months more than 9000 people have joined, demonstrating that people are desperate for better ways to find meaningful employment opportunities. “As a start-up, we are in a unique position to help,” Mr Scott said. “What we need is to make the agriculture community aware of a product that is there for them.” Studium has a team of staff ready to help regional and local employers. And can step them through the process.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.jobsinwafoodandag.com, employers with opportunities are encouraged to register at studium.work For comment contact Studium CEO Stuart Scott on 0421 411 641.

3 EMPLOYERS are recommended to do everything reasonable to enable employees to work from home if possible.

Understanding changes to the Horticulture Award

BY STEPHEN FARRELL HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT

In early April the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made amendments to a number of modern awards, most relevantly, the Horticulture Award 2010. The amendments to the Awards are in response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

New clauses to the Awards 1 Unpaid Pandemic Leave

This leave provides employees who are acting on medical advice from a medical practitioner or are required by medical authorities or any government authority (State or Federal) to self isolate, two weeks unpaid leave where ordinarily they would be required to attend work at the employer’s premises. Whilst the leave is unpaid, it is an authorised absence from the workplace and it would be illegal for adverse action to be taken against an employee because they have accessed this leave. Furthermore, if there is useful work for the employee to do, during the self-isolation period AND it is possible for the employee to do that work from home, I strongly advise members to do everything reasonable to enable the employee to do that work. Naturally, if the employee is able to work from home, they need to be paid. 2 Changes to annual Leave If the employer AND the employee agree, employees can now take double the amount of annual leave on half pay. For example, an employee and employer can agree for the employee to take two weeks annual leave at half pay, which will result in only one week of leave being deducted from the employee’s annual leave accrual. Next steps The decision inserts the clauses with effect from 8 April 2020 until 30 June 2020. Should the pandemic still be ongoing Changes effective 8April 2020 until 30 June 2020. In addition, if the employee has accrued annual or long services leave AND would prefer to access those paid entitlements, it is strongly advised that employers allow the employees to at that point in time, or the Commission decides that the clauses need to be operative after 30 June 2020, the clauses may be continued after 30 June 2020. access the paid leave. If the employee is sick/injured and/or is required to care for an immediate family member who is sick/injured, the MORE INFORMATION Contact Stephen Farrell on 0455 833 352 or email stephen@sjfworkadvice.com.au. employee is entitled to access any paid personal leave entitlements that they have accrued.