Weekly round-up: COVID-19 and child labour

This week in HR news, COVID-19 is still affecting the workplace, but it’s not all bad. Also, four-day working weeks are being trialled, and companies are under fire for breaching child labour laws.

Long-term sickness and the economy

As published by BBC, long-term sickness is having significant effects on the workforce in the UK.

Long-term sickness has caused 2.5 million people to be out of work, the highest ever recorded for the country.

According to BBC, one out of every 13 workers is suffering from long-term sickness. COVID-19 has reportedly played a big role in this, as many people have contracted long COVID.

This is affecting the economy, said Tony Wilson, director at the Institute for Employment Studies: “People being off work is inevitably going to be bad for business and the economy.”

“If firms can’t meet demand because they have to fill jobs, it might mean they have to pay people more to fill those jobs or ... close their business down because they can’t cope.

“It impacts overall productivity and might also mean less competition.”

The positive side of the pandemic

While there’s no doubt that the pandemic has been horrible, some are seeing positives to the ordeal.

Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) discussed how many workers were able to ditch a career they resented and start anew during the chaos of COVID-19.

“If ever there was a good excuse to make a big change in career, it was the pandemic. Sure enough, people are relocating, moving interstate, into the regions. They are moving industries, or setting up small businesses,” said SMH.

“It is interesting that it has taken an event as large as a global pandemic to give people the push they required to make the move. Pandemic or not, often we all need a gentle push in the right direction.”

Bunnings and the 4-day week

Bunnings has become the latest Aussie company to trial a four-day working week, as reported by Australian Financial Review (AFR).

This announcement is reportedly a first for the retail industry. SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer believes this decision could set a precedent.

“This is a significant breakthrough for work/life balance for workers in the retail sector,” said Mr Dwyer.

“These are advances the SDA will be pursuing in upcoming rounds of negotiation with other major retailers.

“This package is good for workers and for this major retailer alike, setting Bunnings up as a preferred employer in a tight retail market.”

Child labour cases

As seen in 7News, Red Rooster and Cold Rock are facing hundreds of child labour charges.

Two fast-food chain stores in Victoria have been hit by the allegations. Red Rooster in Wodonga is facing 355 criminal charges, while Cold Rock in Shepparton has 124 criminal charges in front of it.

According to Wage Inspectorate Victoria, both companies breached the Child Employment Act by employing children over the maximum number of hours they’re allowed to work. Cold Rock is also facing charges for not providing sufficient breaks.

“These are the type of businesses where many kids get their first job, so people rightly expect them to have a strong focus on creating a safe workplace for kids, which is what child employment laws help ensure,” said Wage Inspectorate Victoria commissioner Robert Hortle.

The legal actions could see the organisations pay $20,000 for each breach.