Web site offers DIY Australian Workplace Agreements

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 27 March 2007 07:35

Your IT - Home IT

Launched on the first anniversary of the WorkChoices legislation, PeopleInsite claims to be the only system in Australia that can create, store, lodge and report on compliant workplace agreements.

"PeopleInsite provides both large and small business with a reduction in administration and compliance costs for managing their employment documentation, paving the way for companies to 'do it themselves' in creating AWAs," said PeopleInsite MD Richard Breden.

"Our software also includes family-friendly and work-life balance terms and conditions, allowing employers to easily build such provisions into AWAs to ensure they are catering to the needs of staff."

All clauses within AWAs generated by the software have been approved by the Office of the Employment Advocate, PeopleInsite officials stated. This is a significant issue for employers, who can be fined up to $33,000 for including content prohibited by the legislation, such as allowing leave to employees attending union training sessions, restricting the employer from using labour-hire arrangements, or providing a 'right of entry' for unions or employer associations.

PeopleInsite's test site is available for inspection; the main site should go live within seven days. Users will have the choice of a pay-as-you-go arrangement or an upfront licence fee, but company has given no indication of pricing.

Australian Workplace Agreements are a contentious feature of the industrial relations landscape. Some employees claim they are being used to slash pay rates and conditions, while some employers say they provide essential flexibility missing from the award system.