Small businesses get AI chatbot to navigate government's IR reforms
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The news: The Council of Small Business Organisations (COSBOA) and Minister for Small Business Julie Collins have launched a government-funded information program relating to industrial relations amendments.
The context: The program, called Small Business Peak, includes an AI-powered chatbot that will answer small businesses queries about IR changes and a Canva tool to customise IR materials and information materials. It aims to lift the understanding of small businesses nationally about recent upcoming changes.
The program follows a recent COSBOA survey found 57% of small businesses had either none or limited understanding of the recent IR changes, such as the Closing Loopholes legislation. A further 61% did not know about changes relating to unpaid parental leave and 53% were unaware of the Right to Disconnect rule. In total, 7% had a “comprehensive” understanding of IR changes.
Business groups have been critical of significant amounts of industrial relations changes being pushed through by the government, warning of growing complexity and red tape.
In August, changes to casual employment, new definitions of “employees”, changes to unfair contract terms and the right to disconnect for larger business employees come into effect.
What they said: “Small businesses need to understand which IR changes apply to their operations, when they come into effect and how to ensure they meet their employer obligations and business reporting responsibilities,” COSBOA chief executive Luke Achterstraat said.
The source: COSBOA media release
