People Dynamics Newsletter - People Matters
Issue 64, June 2010 | Back to Newsletters Index
PD News
Hello everyone and welcome to the last edition for this financial year. Time certainly flies as they say! I hope this finds you well and your business in a good position to start the new financial year.
We have been very busy updating our clients with their documentation and contracts for the new Fair Work Act (a reminder the ‘amnesty’ for the new conditions for employees runs out on July 1 of this year so please make sure you are up to date).
As always, we keep up to speed with the latest information and are happy to take calls and answer any questions you have in relation to the new IR laws or any other HR matter.
Also, our new website has launched! Feedback would be appreciated.
Recruiting for Success
When recruiting for smaller businesses, it is crucial to assess whether or not a candidate will fit in with the well established culture of the company. In an organisation of 7 employees, for example, one standout or ’unique’ personality can have a negative influence on the team dynamics. This is a common problem that many smaller businesses face when the right recruitment procedures have not been implemented. Dealing with a new team member who doesn’t quite get along with the others raises conflict and tension within the workplace. This often leads to needing to find a staff retention solution. Much time and money has already been spent on recruiting the new employee, and implementing a retention solution can mean more resources are exhausted.
A way to avoid this and ensure you have chosen the right person for your company is by incorporating the use of screening tools, such as personality and behavioural testing, in the recruitment process. It is important to learn as much as you can about a candidate’s work habits before you go ahead and hire them. Resumes, phone screens and interviews can only tell you so much. Job interviews are necessary to assess an individual by their skills and experience. But to determine the final component, person-environment fit, is more difficult. This not only includes culture fit, but also team fit and job fit. Keep in mind anti-discrimination laws for recruitment as well.
Behavioural profiling is a cost effective, efficient and compliant way of assessing how a candidate is likely to perform in the role and fit in with the company culture. Understanding a candidate’s temperament and the behaviour patterns they will bring to the job will assist you in making a more informed decision.
Legal Update
On the 5th of May the government released a draft legislation for the proposed paid parental leave scheme. This piece of legislation is proposed to come into place on the 1st of January 2011. Under this scheme eligible primary care givers of newborns or adopted children are entitled up to 18 weeks of paid leave, at the federal minimum wage ($543.78 per week). Payments will be fully funded by the government, however employers will be responsible to pass the payment to their employees through the normal payroll system. If you have any queries on employment contracts and amendments please do not hesitate to contact us on (03) 9077 4870.