Workplace safety statistic worrying for Hunter employees

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

Employees in the Hunter region could be at risk, as new research shows 81 percent of Australian small businesses don't understand their workplace safety obligations.

The Employsure Workplace Safety Index revealed small businesses are finding it too complex and time consuming to keep up with the changes and paperwork required.

Head of Advice at Employsure, Josh Vikis said there is a lot of information and mis-information out there about what their obligations are, confusing many small businesses who want to do the right thing.

"It is not always obvious industries at risk," he said.

Mining, construction, storage warehousing, retail and hairdressing were said by Vikis to be some of the industries at risk of non-compliance.

The research also revealed many businesses are relying on Google to find answers. Vikis advised as a first step, businesses should conduct an internal discussion if they think there are gaps in the workplace creating hazards for employees.

He also said businesses can consult external bodies for advice on creating a safer workplace and help with issues such as bullying and work realated injuries.

Vikis said investment in education and tools by the government could assist in reducing non-compliance rather than a "big-stick penalty" when an incident does occur.

Source: http://smartadvantage.com.au/workplace-safety/

Mental Health a Big Part of Small Business

BY TYLER FARDELL

New funding has been announced for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health to work closely with small businesses in NSW to co-design a new approach that better supports the mental health and well-being of owners and workers.

Around $1.1 million dollars is being awarded to the Institute from the icare foundation, as they look to develop and trial the new approach to mental health in small businesses.

Currently, there are no specific mental health management solutions tailored to NSW small businesses.

The new approach will see the Institue partnering with researchers from the University of Newcastle and exploring technology and e-health solutions which may be effective in a small business environment.

The program will try to tackle the gap in mental health support for small business owners and their staff compared to big businesses, despite small businesses making up 98% of all businesses in NSW.

Many large companies have access to employee assistance programs and other mental health and wellbeing programs, while small businesses don't have that luxury.

Dr Ross Tynan who is the Research lead at the Hunter Institute of Mental Health is encouraging residents involved in a small business to take part in a survey.

"We understand there are a lot of unique stresses associated with small business and were taking that into consideration", he said.

"So that's why were interested in finding out some information from more people who work in small business".

The survey is available at http://bit.ly/MentalHealthSmallBizSurvey

Small Businesses concerned over the NBN network

BY DANIELLE RIES

Hunter small business leaders have criticised small business minister Michael McCormack over inadequate broadband connections and that it might need revisiting.

Many businesses have been forced to relocate due to concerns over the NBN's speed and reliability, as the network was affecting their operations.

Hunter Business Chamber chief executive Bob Hawes says businesses aren't receiving what they want from the NBN network.

"The role out has been long anticipated and we know that is in progress and businesses as they go through the process of improving their performance and their offer is very much driven towards the digital economy without necessarily being able to distinguish individual circumstances.

"There's often a crossover when businesses go to do the upgrade that what their being offered by their providers doesn't meet their needs".

He also says the NBN network isn't quite living up to what they accepted.

"In some cases, people will have to relocate because of growth issues or to accommodate expansion or where their markets might be. But we are aware there are instances in the region where businesses have had to embrace a digital expansion and they've had to upgrade their facilities.

"And as a consequence where they are located, it hasn't been able to accommodate for their needs going forward".

Credit- The NBN website

MP: NBN Rollout "a disaster" for Small Business

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Small business across the Hunter are at risk of failing because of the National Broadband Network’s rollout, says Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon.

Joel Fitzgibbon

It comes after four businesses in Morisset were left without phone or Internet services for weeks after being switched from their old network to the NBN.

“Not only are we seeing an inferior NBN service rolled out, but the transition is hopeless,” said Fitzgibbon.

“For a small business to be without a telephone service for weeks is a disaster.”

Labor have been critical of the Coalition Government’s NBN scheme, suggesting it is inferior and outdated as soon as it's switched on.

A strong small business sector was one of the talking points for the NBN, begun by Malcolm Turnbull in his capacity as Communications Minister and continued when he succeeded Tony Abbott for the top job.

But Joel Fitzgibbon said it only hurts them.

“Small businesses are going without telephone and Internet services literally for weeks.  That’s a disaster,” he said.

“The Government needs to apologise; to intervene and to sort these problems out.”

Jason Miles is one of the small business owners put out by the NBN.  He told the Lakes Mail it's severely hampered his business.

"I reckon we're running at about 10 per cent of what I'm used to.  Where I might usually get 100 people coming through the door per day, I'm down to 10.  Maximum," he said.

"The big problem is people don't have a choice to switch their landline over to the new system," Joel Fitzgibbon said.