Australia

Everything you wanted to know about the Catholic Church and employment relations now available online

The Catholic Church in Australia has launched two vibrant and informative new websites to promote the work of its national employment relations bodies.
 
The Office for Employment Relations (OER) now has its own website aimed at providing both church employers and employees with key operational information on employment relations matters.
 
The OER is an agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference which develops, promotes and maintains best practice employment relations policies, procedures, practices, guidelines and manuals for implementation by the ACBC and other Catholic employers.  The OER can provide you with assistance on how to meet your legislative requirements in relation to employment matters.
 
The Director of the OER, Susan O’Connor, said the new website, located at www.employmentrelations.catholic.org.au <http://www.employmentrelations.catholic.org.au/> would be an excellent practical resource for people seeking church-related employment relations information.  Employers in NSW and the ACT are able to seek similar advice from the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations via their membership.

“The site contains information including guidelines, templates, employment practices, occupational health and safety information, latest news and training events,” she said.  “We invite  employers to log in to register a user name and email address to receive free newsletters and employment related bulletins.”  “Currently the website is of particular interest to employers with the introduction of the Fair Work Act.  Employers are asking for guidance in what they need to do prior to 1 January 2010 and the website now has a checklist.”
 
Mrs O’Connor said the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations (ACCER) would continue to have its web presence at its current address, www.accer.asn.au <http://www.accer.asn.au/>  ACCER is an Advisory Council of the ACBC tasked with providing the Conference with advice, research, and advocacy on matters affecting employment in the Australian workplace, within the context of the Catholic Church’s social teachings.  “The ACCER website will continue to provide the latest news on wage reviews and submissions in relation to employment relations matters of national significance,” Mrs O’Connor said.

For further information contact Sue O’Connor, Director; or Jane Bashiruddin, Employment Relations Advisor – 03 9663 1775
 
Susan O'Connor
Director
Office for Employment Relations
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

T. 03 9663 1775
F. 03 9663 1747
E. oer@catholic.org.au
W. www.employmentrelations.catholic.org.au <http://www.employmentrelations.catholic.org.au/>
W. www.accer.asn.au <http://www.accer.asn.au/>