Cranky wrote "Kenny, the only reason employers sack workers is if they aren't performing"
What a load of rubbish , some people are sacked for poor performance and I believe they should be, but many employers were sacking people for many reasons other then their work performance. My brother was sacked from a job because he had got into a fight on the footy field with his supervisors son, and the son was not a employ of the company.

Got in a fight with the supervisors son... hmmm Sigmund Frued might have something to say about that.

The idea that an employer has to reform an employee who steals is a bit much. l dont really understand why employers get slugged with a carer and provider role just because they're paying someone's wage.

Government, as usual, is setting up the division, driving the wedge, manipulating folks into enabling the politicians social agenda.

actually the identity of the son was not know at time the fight involved most of both teams.

Another strategy for creating full-time work that I didn't include in the article is allowing full-time employees already working full-time hours to opt for additional leave, rather than increased pay. 'Flexibility' is a two-way street. I'm sure that the employers/co-workers out there have some experience of good workers deciding to leave simply because they were sick of working long hours, at the expense of their family's and relationship's wellbeing.

Good conditions, as well as good pay, are what entice good employees to perform. It seems that this should be part of the 'flexibility' debate (as well as an understanding that employee chrun as a result of 'burn out' imposes untold costs upon employers).

Allowing workers to 'down shift' without having to shift jobs would help create full-time employment, while also helping companies retian talent.

Bozzie ,we are wasting our venom.These wankers are still students and are carrying on about the rights of the worker!In small business in NSW at the moment we are scared shitless about employing anyone who doesn't have a perfect track record.This NSW Govt. has got to be the most incompetant, morally deficient Govt. in living memory.They wouldn't have a clue about business or what makes an economy work.They are in their death throes and like Keating will kill the NSW economy with their vindictive,impotent,idealistic bullshit.

Arjay, I agree that it's a minefield when you go to employ anybody these days - you have to get it right first time!

I also agree that good working conditions are imperative to retain good staff. We always try to be as flexible as possible to help people balance their home life and work. I've got a family too and I know what it's like.

Kenny, I don't know the circumstances about your brother so I can't comment. All I know is that if your brother worked for me and he was a good employee, I would have helped him bash up the supervisors son, just to keep him happy!