Workplace relations

AMSRO has worked for over two decades to ensure that the market and social research industry has a stable workplace relations system that is fair and equitable to both employers and employees.

The Market (and Social) Research Industry Award was created in 1990 by the (then) Australian Industrial Relations Commission. A new modernised version of this Award came into effect on 1 January 2010. This new Modern Award covers virtually all market and social research undertaken in Australia.

The Market Research Industry Award has underpinned a series of collective/enterprise bargaining agreements (Industry Agreements) negotiated between with AMSRO and the NUW.  The current Industry Agreement was reached between AMSRO and the NUW in late 2010 and runs until 2013. It sets minimum rates of pay and conditions for all market research and social research employees employed by AMSRO members and has been lodged with Fair Work Australia.

AMSRO has been instrumental in preserving a Market and Social Research Industry Award as a separate Award and has avoided market and social research being brought within a general private sector clerical modern award – an outcome that would have increased costs across the industry.

The Award and consecutive Industry Agreements (that sit above the Award) have given the industry stable and flexible workplace relations.

Objectives

AMSRO’s Workplace Relations and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) objectives include:

  • pursuing a co-operative, consistent approach to workplace relations and OH&S across the industry
  • negotiating consistent long-term Agreements, backed by an up-to-date, flexible national Award, so as to maintain a level playing field on which all market and social research companies can fairly compete on the basis of their efficiency and quality;
  • providing all market and social research suppliers and buyers with information about their current industrial rights and obligations and working towards achieving compliance throughout the industry; and
  • providing information and expert advice tailored to market and social research companies’ needs.

HR Legal consultancy

HR Legal is retained by AMSRO to provide the Association with legal assistance and advice on workplace and industrial relations matters. Andrew Maher, Partner at HR Legal, works closely with AMSRO.

Andrew recently presented at the the 2012 Leaders Forum. Click here for a copy of National Model Work – Health and Safety Act.