If your workplace is covered by a State award, such as the Restaurant Keepers Award, which applies to Adam and Kelly, you can enter into an enterprise agreement . If your workplace is covered by a federal award, you probably won't be able to enter into an enterprise agreement under Tasmanian legislation. If you think that a federal award covers your workplace but you're not sure, check with the federal Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business on 6235 1912. If your workplace is award-free and you're simply working under an informal verbal or written arrangement, you can enter into an enterprise agreement . An enterprise agreement is perfect for formalising informal arrangements.
Verbal arrangements can cause problems later on.
Award-free employers and employees should protect themselves by putting an enterprise agreement in place. Before you start negotiations, you should have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and why you want your workplace arrangements to change. Determine objectives and identify any changes that would benefit the agreement parties and the workplace. At the very least , and before starting negotiations, you should be aware of the minimum conditions that must be in an enterprise agreement. You can find these on page 14 of this Guide.