The Impact of Positive Duty on Small Businesses: Opportunities and Challenges
Recent legislative changes in Australian workplaces, such as the Closing the Loopholes Bill and Positive Duty, have expanded employer obligations in the way companies of all sizes are required to communicate, document and protect their workers, and to promote an inclusive and equitable workplace.
For small businesses, adapting to the changes might seem overwhelming initially, but we believe that positive duty in the workplace offers significant benefits for business leaders.
Creating and communicating an inclusive and supportive environment boosts employee engagement and morale, leading to greater loyalty and productivity while reducing turnover. Addressing issues of discrimination and harassment proactively contributes to a healthier, more positive workplace culture. Positive duty is also a great way to communicate your inclusive leadership beliefs, fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up and where mutual accountability is the norm. This cultural shift not only benefits employees but also enhances client interactions and business outcomes, paving the way for sustainable growth and success.
Practical Tips for Small Business Owners
Start with Clear Policy – Develop a comprehensive list of Policy which outlines your expectations of behaviour, including unacceptable behaviour, provides a clear process for reporting incidents, and details the steps which will be taken. Communicate policy effectively through training sessions, accessible documentation, and ongoing discussions. Most importantly, store the Policy in a place that is accessible to team members when they wish to review it.
Invest in Training – Investing in positive duty training for yourself and your team. Even on a limited budget, affordable options like online courses and workshops provide valuable insights and practical strategies, and Respect@Work has a number of resources available for download and use in your office.
Seek Professional Help – An HR consultant can help! Positive Duty is proactive implementation and your internal systems, documentation and communication can be automated. Most HR consultants offer tailored advice, as well as templated and simple to implement solutions that will meet your budget.
Standardise Recruitment – Educate yourself and your managers on the importance of standardised recruitment processes that benchmark against the criteria of a role. This ensures you hire the best candidate based on the benchmarks you set before the interview rather than personal and sometimes unconscious biases, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Moving Forward Together
The implementation of positive duty is a transformative step for small businesses in Australia. The opportunities for growth, improved workplace culture, and competitive advantage are both significant and compelling. By taking proactive measures and seeking professional support when needed, small business owners can successfully navigate this new landscape and build a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Not yet embraced positive duty in your workplace? Need to implement an automated HR system that works for your small business? Let’s chat about the unique challenges your small business faces and craft a strategy that works for you. Book a Strategy Call.