22 November 2007
A new study by Monash University researchers has found many low income workers on Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) are not happy with their working conditions.
The study, conducted by researchers in the Australian Centre for Research in Employment and Work (ACREW) in the Faculty of Business and Economics, looked at the attitudes of workers on AWAs compared to those covered by all other forms of agreements and awards.
Project leader Professor Julian Teicher said in ACREW's survey, Australian workers' experience of their jobs and their employers was generally positive but the attitudes of lower income workers on AWAs was vastly different.
"The deep dissatisfaction exhibited by low paid AWA workers is doubly unfortunate, as these workers are unlikely to demonstrate loyalty and commitment to their jobs. It is well demonstrated that low morale and employee commitment may impact negatively on their performance at work," Professor Teicher said.
The survey of over 1000 workers across Australia found a third of low income workers on AWAs - those earning under $600 per week - did not trust their employers, compared with 14 per cent of other workers surveyed.
A third also felt they didn't have job security compared with 16 per cent of other lower income workers. Of significant concern was that nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of lower income workers on AWAs reported their employers were not allowing them to meet family responsibilities, compared with less than 10 per cent of other workers.
Although most Australian workers report being satisfied with their jobs and hold positive attitudes to their employers, the survey revealed that low income workers on AWAs are the most dissatisfied group of workers.
The ACREW project involved a national survey of 1023 employees and comprised five major areas of inquiry: experiences of employment; unions; employee influence and involvement; management; and union-management cooperation.
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