Our short submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training Inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES) draws on our research to argue for improved maximum weekly hours and carer’s leave provisions.
The National Employment Standards are a set of 12 minimum entitlements that underpin the employment conditions of most employees. The inquiry into the NES was established with terms of reference that include to consider the extent to which the NES is fit for purpose, having regard to the changing nature of work, in promoting the object of the Fair Work Act, in terms of adequacy and relevance of the entitlements, considering the types of workers covered and differences in experience of the NES, including experiences of women, workers over 55, young workers, First Nations workers and workers with disability.
We submitted that changes to improve carers leave and make the maximum weekly hours NES entitlement more effective are necessary as these provisions are currently inadequate. We also argued the changes are necessary to promote the Object of the FWA, including the newest elements of the FWA object intended to improve job security and put gender equality at the heart of the workplace relations system.
In making a case for improved carer’s leave our submission argues that all workers, during some periods of their working lives, will need to provide care to a family member or other person. The improvement of job security and promotion of gender equality require minimum standards and entitlements that are effective in promoting flexibility in working time and leave arrangements that enable all workers to combine work, care and other family and community responsibilities.