A small business should be considered to be one with up to 20 full time equivalent employees, and not 15 full time staff members, according to the SenateÍs vote late last week to amend the definition of small business for the new unfair dismissal laws. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) welcomed the decision said executive director Richard Evans.

ñThe Senate has recognised a major concern for many small retailers who would not be able to access exemption from the Fair Work BillÍs unfair dismissal laws,î Evans said. ñThe casualisation of the modern retail workforce means many small retailers easily employ between 40 and 60 staff members (in many cases this could be less than 20 full-time equivalent) and there must be certainty under unfair dismissal arrangements for employers of a casual workforce.

ñWithout this redefinition of small business, unfair dismissal laws in the GovernmentÍs Fair Work Bill will destroy small business confidence to employ staff and we cannot afford this in the current economic climate.î

The ARA is urging the Government to accept the change.