80% of Casual Workers Say Negative Media Coverage Influences Their Job Choices
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Humanforce, a Sydney based global provider of workforce management solutions, has revealed that negative media coverage can impact Australian retailers’ ability to attract casual workers.
Eighty percent of respondents in Humanforce’s casual worker survey stated that media coverage of a company underpaying staff would influence if they would work with that employer.
Humanforce Founder and MD, Bruce Mackenzie, said the survey highlighted how negative media coverage can have long-lasting and costly effects on retail businesses.
“There have been a number of cases recently involving local businesses underpaying their casual workers,” Bruce said. “Negative media attention makes it harder for any business to attract the best casual workers. This comes at a substantial cost considering a reliable and talented casual worker pool is what supports the success of many Australian retailers.”
The survey also showed that there’s no hiding negative media coverage from potential casual workers, with 66 percent of respondents stating they would conduct an online search to research a new casual employer. And a further 64 percent said they would ask for word of mouth recommendations from current or previous employees before taking a casual job.
From March 1st, new clauses aimed at reducing wage-theft come into effect for casual employees covered by a Modern Award with an annualised salary clause, that will require more stringent record-keeping and overtime control measures.
“There have been a number of cases recently involving local businesses underpaying their casual workers,”
“By international standards, Australia’s workforce awards and regulations are incredibly complex, which leads to errors,” Bruce said. “And, with the introduction of new practices for payroll aimed at minimising underpayments and non-compliance with awards, retailers operating without workforce management solutions will face increasing challenges in this area.”
Workforce management solutions can help retailers navigate the complexities of managing casual workers. They help to automate and remove errors when it comes to time and attendance, rostering and scheduling, payroll, as well as managing awards and compliance.
“While workforce management solutions can support retailers to meet award requirements, it is critical the systems are configured and customised to specifically meet Australia’s workforce awards and regulations. Off-the-shelf solutions from global software vendors are not positioned to interpret Australian awards. Humanforce, as an Australian-based workforce management solutions provider with local expertise, knowledge and a development and support team on the ground here, is uniquely placed to assist local business with fully customisable solutions for the Australian market.”
Beyond an employer’s media reputation, the casual worker survey highlighted some incentives that retailers can offer to attract causal staff. When assessing casual jobs and employers, respondents prioritised businesses that offered guaranteed shifts (60%), a positive and fun work culture (54%), wage incentives (52%), flexibility (47%), employee rewards (45%) and premium wages (41%).
Find out more about Humanforce.
Methodology
Humanforce surveyed 500 Australians on their perspectives on casual work in the Q4 period of 2019 via the Zoho Research Platform.
Questions & Answers
Q.What percentage of casual workers would research a potential employer online before taking a job?
What percentage of casual workers would research a potential employer online before taking a job?
Sixty-six percent of casual workers surveyed stated they would conduct an online search to research a new casual employer. This indicates that negative media coverage is difficult to hide from potential employees.
Q.What new requirements are coming into effect for some casual employees regarding wage theft?
What new requirements are coming into effect for some casual employees regarding wage theft?
From March 1st, new clauses reducing wage-theft will require more stringent record-keeping and overtime control measures. These apply to casual employees covered by a Modern Award with an annualised salary clause.
Q.What incentives do casual workers prioritise when choosing an employer?
What incentives do casual workers prioritise when choosing an employer?
Casual workers prioritise guaranteed shifts (60%), a positive work culture (54%), and wage incentives (52%). Flexibility (47%), employee rewards (45%), and premium wages (41%) are also important factors.
Q.Why does Bruce Mackenzie believe Australian retailers face increasing challenges with payroll compliance?
Why does Bruce Mackenzie believe Australian retailers face increasing challenges with payroll compliance?
Australia's workforce awards and regulations are complex, leading to errors. New practices aiming to minimise underpayments and non-compliance will further challenge retailers without proper workforce management solutions.
Reader pulse
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