OEA welcomes Astro Alloys as a Workplace Innovator

The Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA), the Australian Government organisation responsible for accepting the lodgement of workplace agreements, has visited Hervey Bay’s domestic and industrial product supplier Astro Alloys to welcome them into the Workplace Innovator programme.

OEA Workplace Innovators have been identified as an inspirational example of agreement making and showcase some of the benefits available to employers and employees through workplace agreements.

Australian workplace agreements (AWAs) have enabled Astro Alloys to unlock the potential of mature age workers in regional Queensland through new, flexible workplace agreements.

With a third of its employees classified as mature age, Astro Alloys wanted to put in place more flexible arrangements that suited the needs of their workforce and help retain its expert sales team. Danielle Hore, Human Resources and Marketing Manager at Astro Alloys, said that AWAs have benefited the company and staff.

“The previous complex awards system restricted our ability to offer early starting times and accommodate the needs of our staff. Under AWAs we can offer more attractive employment conditions so we retain our motivated workforce.

“AWAs have provided us a way of creating a win-win for both the employees and the business.” Ms Hore said.

While visiting Astro Alloys, Deputy Employment Advocate, Geoffrey Casson said the OEA’s Workplace Innovator programme showcases workplaces which have innovative individual and collective agreements in action.

“The OEA’s Workplace Innovators have forged new pathways in agreement making. These employers and employees are both benefiting from WorkChoices agreements as they have utilised the simplicity and flexibility offered by AWAs.

“Small businesses can achieve real change and improvement in their workplace through simplified working arrangements that allow for greater certainty and better business planning,” Mr Casson said.

The OEA is the principal source of advice and assistance to employers, employees and their representatives when they are making a workplace agreement.

Since the introduction of WorkChoices on 27 March 2006, almost 1 million employees have entered into WorkChoices agreements.

For further information about the lodgement of WorkChoices agreements visit www.oea.gov.au

Reference: Worplace Authority, 3 May 2007