The laws governing employment in Australia have been called into question as SMEs struggle to deal with rogue employees and unfair legal claims.

SME Boardroom, a membership organisation for small businesses, has called on the Federal Government to protect employers after conducting a survey that shows many SMEs are struggling with the current legislation.

The results show 17.5% of employees were terminated for misbehaviour, 14.3% for failing to attend work and 14.3% for theft, fraud or illegal activity.
 
Some 18% of SMEs then faced unfair dismissal claims. Sabotage to business came in at 16.4%; confidential information being lost or used 16.4%; intellectual property being lost or used 13.1%; significant payouts to avoid legal claims 11.5%; and workers’ compensation claims at 6.6%.
 
SME Boardroom Chairman Kim Dennis says the survey shows the “laws are not balanced between employers and employees”.

“Many employees feel free to do what they want without repercussion,” he said. “If anything, the results show that [employment] laws take away or reduce employers’ legal rights.”