THE INDUSTRIAL RELATION PRACTICES OF WOOLWORTHS LIMITED
The Woolworths is the premiere retail supermarket in Australia and New Zealand offering variety of products and services from general merchandise, food to non food items, liquor and beverages, fruits and vegetables, some electronics and home improvement items. All these are available in the giant branches in Woolworth’s Limited company. Being one of the best and largest in retail establishment, they also employed large numbers of people that exceeds to 188,000 team members as of 2010. Woolworths limited also believed that their people is their best assets, they have given the access of free training to almost all of their staff, the company strive to meet their objectives by developing the strength of their employees through proper training.
The Industrial Relation of Woolworths Limited to their employees is probable one of the best in the industry because of their very engaging working relationship and their performance. Their records prove that within a year of 2009 to 2010 they have employed at least 38,000 workers as their company increases the needs from that same year, they have earned full time and part time employees and most of them are serving the company for the long period of time. 16% of their employees are serving their company for more than 10 years and 46% of most of their executives have also been serving their company for more than 10 years while their CEO Michael Luscombe has spent 30 years in Woolworths Limited.
New employees have found their way to new career path and if they do well they will definitely be promoted to become a regular employees. They also allow student apprentice and student on the job training to support their studies. The career opportunities they have set for their employees is definitely one of the best in the industry as their employees have proven to last in their company. The Industrial Relationship practices that they have built are long term commitment and these have been their focal point in longevity and survival to gain respect from their people.
As part of their commitment to diversity and strategy, protection and safety of their employees in most of their operational activities are prioritized. They have established the following principles; they will aim to improve the quality of life, they will take the responsibility and safety to take concerns to people and environment. Each month they have developed different safety focus to highlight key risk to workers inside and outside their stores. The best component of their Industrial Relation to employees is their culture of recognition for the high achievers. They are given various recognition and awards to their outstanding contribution to the company, here are some of their awards;
Paul Simon Awards- is an annual program given to young employees of the company and winners are chosen from various categories or operations. Joe Berry Awards – this award is given as a part of external competition also for young achievers. The Flexibility in work option – So they can retain people and they can work according to the work shift that is more convenient in their schedule, to meet their work load and studies. Parental Leave – This is a paid parental leave that they have given to workers that reaches up to 104 weeks parental leave depending on the conditions of the employees, two weeks bonus for returnee. Woolworths Limited has given all these benefits to their employees.
The Industrial Relation Woolworths Limited is truly the best in the industry and the outcomes are as follows;
1. Harmonious Employee to Employer or Management to Employee Relationship are measured and controlled they have a common purpose and most of their goals and objectives are shared successfully. They have also realized the importance of team work and diversity that results in unsurpassed standard and safety of their employees and management are proud of it. Conflict of interest and problems are open and through this practice they have established the trust and confidence of their people.
2. Danger at work of their employees are delimited or lessen, practically they have established and seek continuously to promote the best safety standard practices.
3. Sustainability of employees are best recognized and given importance, through this practices the needs for unionization or strike, rally and other demeanor such as fraud, absenteeism etc. of employees are subsequently unnecessary.
4. There is a high expectation of employee’s motivation and involvement to meet their targets and sales, there are guaranteed and willing to work because of their work ethic conditions and diversity that results in productivity.
5. The Human Resource Department believed that the company has done the best Industrial Relation practice that eliminates problem employees. They also believe that not just their people but they have also shown good Industrial Relationship to the government and to their customers that makes them the industry leader.
(http://www.woolworths.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/website/woolworths)
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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