PHARMACY owners are seeking approval for the introduction of a "flat rate" into the Pharmacy Industry Award.
In a submission to the Fair Work Commission, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia reported that it had received "multiple requests from community pharmacy employers on whether it was possible or achievable to introduce a 'flat rate'".
The Guild reported that predominant reasons for the move were, to simplify the wage paid on hours worked, to not have multiple payment steps, and to make it easier to understand for both the employer and employee.
The submission noted that the Guild was supportive of the introduction of a "loaded rate" as part of the Award to assist in ensuring employers remunerate their employees correctly.
"The 'loaded rate' should be developed on realistic and practical operating arrangements and hours of work including full time employment only (eg 38 hours per week)," the Guild said.
The Guild suggested that loaded rates could be contained within a Schedule that is directly linked to both the business financial turnover position and employee head count.
"This would still allow for medium to large businesses to engage in bargaining for their particular operational arrangements and provided a benchmarking position for the Commission's approval process," the Guild said.
"In addition, the use of a 'loaded rate' could be an optional agreement for a business based upon the employees being involved in a consultation and decision-making process similar to the enterprise agreement making process.
"This approach will need serious consideration as this approach could impose a significant regulatory burden on a business."
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