Bob Hawke said the other day that we need wrongful dismissal legislation simply because people get wrongfully dismissed.

Indeed, not only do they get wrongfully dismissed, but very often
by the small businesses who (after July 1) will be exempted from any
such legislation.

I heard of a vivid example of what’s at stake recently. A young
man in a provincial centre was working in a smallish business. His
immediate superior divided his time between hitting on female staff and
incompetently and arbitrarily changing working arrangements. The young
man voiced opposition to both practices – for which he got sacked.
Fortunately, unless Minister Andrews does make his changes
retrospective as suggested, he will get some recompense.

But after July 1 – in the new flexible environment, bad luck young man.

CRIKEY: This little ezine would have taken on more permanent staff
over the years but for the crazy unfair dismissal laws. Sure, there are
cowboys out there that need to be stopped, but small business does need
more flexibility if you want don’t want to see a continuing
casualisation of the workforce.