Chamber launches employee relations and advocacy service

Arguably navigating people management is up there with cashflow and other demands, irrespective on the size of your business.

With ever-increasing industrial relations complexity and compliance requirements, businesses face more exposure and scrutiny when comes to how they are managing their employees and contractors. With significant financial penalties for non-compliance if known or even unknown, it is critical businesses are on top of their people management obligations.

To better support our members, the Chamber is now offering a full suite of end-to-end employee relations and employer advocacy services in partnership with local Whitsundays Chamber member The Airlie Group.

Mark Lipkin leads The Airlie Group and brings over two decades experience in providing specialist industrial relations and human resources advice across many different industries.

The Airlie Group offers Chamber members a free of charge initial confidential consultation with structured general industrial relations and human resource advice. Additionally, the following services are available to all Chamber members who will exclusively receive a 15% discount:

• Human Resource Basics – a full audit, identifying areas to address, improve and plan for.
• Employee Relations Support – Award and Enterprise Agreement interpretation, managing performance, workforce planning, terminations and redundancies, mediation and general HR advice.
• Industrial Relations Advocacy – representation at Fair Work Commission conferences and dealing with unfair dismissal applications.

“There are so many challenges IR and HR requirements place on regional businesses, particularly when we are also trying to juggle workforce availability and productivity. Having local, independent expertise available to our members is highly valued,” said Chamber President Allan Milostic.

“We welcome The Airlie Group’s support services and encourage all our members to explore the range of local experts available to help business growth,” said Allan.

Locals Supporting Locals with Expert Business Advice & Offers

The following members are delighted to offer all current Chamber members these amazing opportunities:

Finance

• Eclipse Financial Planning provides a free, personalised projection of your retirement wealth, income and lifestyle, with and without funds from the sale of your business.
• Smooth Sailing Finance Consulting offers a free review of business finances, both existing finance and planning for future business plans and finance options available to support business growth.
• The Small Business Financial Counselling Service provides free support to help businesses understand their finances, deal with debt, identify risks, access government assistance, succession and business planning.

Marketing

• Melinda Louise Media provides a free one-hour consultation and a summary report outlining how your business could benefit from elevating your marketing and communications activities.
• Kapow Interactive offers one-hour free consultation on digital marketing, social media, and website needs.
• KB Design has a free business card or flyer printing offer with any new logo, website, or signage order (terms and conditions apply).

Business Operations

• The Queensland Government’s Mentoring for Growth program has been offering eligible businesses free, confidential access to volunteer business experts who provide mentoring on business growth, investment, pitches, exporting, and business recovery.
• Luxton Safety and Compliance Australia offers one-hour free session, at your workplace, to discuss where your workplace health and safety currently stands, your future goals, and concerns you might have.
• Zero Waste Solutions has an exclusive $150 deal to increase your sustainability and environmental impact with a 90-minute in person consultation, onsite walk through, basic business audit, and Q & A session.

Workforce

• The Whitsundays Customer Service Hero program, managed by 8 Seconds, is an innovative 30-minute online course designed to equip frontline employees with essential skills for delivering exceptional customer experiences tailored to the Whitsunday region. Chamber members the opportunity to register one person to experience the Whitsundays Customer Service Hero program for free.
• The Queensland Government have established a network of Business Wellness Coaches to provide free one-on-one support to small and rural businesses to address the impacts of health and wellbeing. The coaches have a background in business, combined with qualifications in social work or psychology.
• Business Queensland’s Industry Workforce Advisor program provides free support to small and medium sized businesses to identify workforce challenges, develop a workforce plan and recruitment strategies, and connect employers with government resources, grants and initiatives.

Exclusive experiences

• Airlie Beach Executive Services offers discounted luxury private transfers direct from Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine) to Airlie Beach in their beautiful, air-conditioned Mercedes Benz vans or sedan.  
• Sailing Whitsundays is offering an exclusive 10% off all overnight catamarans in 2024 valid from until 31 December 2024.

Please note, the Chamber does not receive any commission from Chamber member-to-member offers.