UTS Careers Presents:The Aussie Workplace

Workshop aims• To raise awareness of Australian workplace

culture and practices

• To develop strategies to improve effectiveness in job search and the workplace

• Advise is general in nature. Industries, work places and roles vary

Typically Australian

From your experience so far in Australia

or what you’ve heard about Australians:

• What to you is typically Australian?

• What about a ‘typical Australian person’?

Typically Australian

Australia today

Over 80% of the population lives within around 50km of the coast! – hence Australian culture tends to place high importance on the beach

Non-indigenous Australians make up 98% of the population & over 25% of those were born elsewhere

Today, people from more than 150 countries contribute to cultural change in Australia

Australia Street

Australian workplace cultures

Every Australian workplace has a unique mix of Australian national culture, subcultures and workplace-specific norms and values – often referred to as its organisational culture.

Each organisation will have unique communication styles, hierarchies and other features.

Learning the culture of one Australian workplace will not make you an expert in them all!

Australian workplace culture today

Researchers who have studied the Australian workplace culture in the last 10 years have concluded that Australian workplace culture is a unique and different culture from its counterparts in N America, Asia and Europe.

In particular, they looked at the notion of “quality”.

They said: “quality is perceived by Australians, primarily in terms of the relationships they have with those around them and the organisation with which they are involved.”

Certain concepts, like Quality, have a totally different meaning in other countries.

Source: “Simply the best workplaces in Australia”, Working paper 88 by Dr. D Hull and V Read, December 2003.

Spotting perceived cultural differences

Quality is an obsession with standards … in Germany

Quality is the pursuit of perfection … in Japan

Quality is viewed as luxury … in France

Quality means ‘It works’ … in the USA

Quality implies Quality of Relationship first … in Australia

Key differences between Australian and other workplaces

1. Organisational hierarchy and management styleso Equalityo Managers are collaborative rather than directive

2. Communication styleso Informal. Use of first names/ nicknameso Joking and banter – sign of friendlinesso Shortening words

3. Expectations of you as an employee

One of the mates …..

Australian ApproachRef: Lewis, D (1999), Cross-Cultural Communication, A Visual Approach, UK: Transcreen Publications

Australian communication styles

Informal speech is typical

Directness can be seen as being more efficient and effective

Managers often use collaborative rather than directive communication styles with subordinates. Use of please/thank you.

Humour between colleagues doesn’t mean there isn’t respect

Sarcasm is a common form of Australian humour!

Australian communicationTone of voice – statements often end with an upturn in tone, as if the statement was a question!

Need to listen to the words used to determine if the statement was in fact a question or not.

Jokes – if an Australian teases you, it is often a sign of affection!Do not take it personally. Australians expect you to laugh along with them and at yourself, i.e. they don’t take themselves too seriously!

Eye contact – it is expected to have eye contact during communicationIt is generally important to maintain eye contact when listening to someone else talk to you. (Ref: Interviews.)

Shaking hands – it is normal for both females and males as a form of greeting

Australian slangHow ya goin’/doin’?What d’ya reckon?= What do you think?

Taking a “sickie” / a ‘mental health day’ / a ‘doona day’= Slang for calling in sick.

Having a “smoko”= taking a cigarette or cigarette break during work hours.

A fair go = to give someone an equal chance

Ta = thank you

Barbie= BBQ

Cuppa= Cup of tea

Australian slang

 

Aussie slang

Employers’ expectations… you will:

Demonstrate good communication skills

Have good problem-solving, planning and organisational skills

Be able to work independently or in diverse teams

Show enthusiasm and be self motivated

Take initiative and be assertive when appropriate

Be punctual and responsible for tasks

Ask good questions

Give your own ideas (in an appropriate manner)

The Employability skills framework

Source: Graduate Careers Australia

Loyalty

Commitment

Honesty & integrity

Enthusiasm

Reliability

Personal presentation

Common sense

Positive self-esteem

A sense of humour

A balanced attitude to work and home life

An ability to deal with pressure

Motivation & initiative

Adaptability

Personal attributes that contribute to overall employability & which employers appreciate:

Most assessed skills/competencies

The Top 10 most assessed competencies, as reported by graduate employers in the 2014 AAGE survey:

1. Cultural fit2. Teamwork3. Oral communication4. Interpersonal skills5. Motivational fit6. Analytical skills7. Problem solving skills8. Achieves results9. Integrity and trust10. Written communication skills

Age and culture

Workplaces today:Baby boomers +Gen XGen Y

Different generations Different culturesDifferent education Different perspectivesDifferent upbringings Different social norms and values

Work vs. LeisureA fairly accurate generalisation could be that, in Australia:Work is important, but leisure makes it all worthwhile!Australians certainly do work hard, although many Australians will see work as a means to acquire the financial resources they need to do the things they enjoy the most.

(Casual) Fridays in the workplaceLong lunches; dress more casually; the weekend is almost here!

Talking Sport!Can help you ‘fit in’/ be accepted in some workplaces.

What makes an “excellent workplace”?

Australian legislation relevant to the workplace

Federal (Commonwealth) lawState or Territory legislationLocal government regulation

A ‘must’ / shall / compulsory

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Code of practice / conduct

Workplace guidelinesPolicies and procedures

A ‘should’ / ought to / supposed to

Australian legislation – Health & Safety

www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

NSW employers must have a workers compensation policy that covers all workers

Employers have a duty of care to ensure workers are not exposed to any risks to their health and safety during the course of carrying out their duties.

Employees must:take reasonable care for their own health and safety take reasonable care for the health and safety of others comply with any reasonable instruction by the employercooperate with any reasonable policies and procedures of the employer

TIP: When you join an organisation, you should familiarise yourself with the WHS policy, including emergency evacuation procedures.

Australian legislation – Anti-discrimination & Equal Opportunity

Discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) & affirmative action

Australia has strong anti-discrimination legislation.

Federal Laws:Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)Disability Discrimination Act 1992Racial Discrimination Act 1975 Sex Discrimination Act 1984

State (NSW) Law: New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)

Australian legislation – Anti-discrimination & Equal Opportunity

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, discrimination is disadvantaging someone in the workplace because of their:

Australian legislation – workplace rights

The basics of the Fair Work System

There are 10 National Employment Standards that protect employees’ minimum conditions.

There are 122 modern awards that cover most businesses in Australia. These set the minimum wages and conditions of employment for employees and employers who are covered by them.

There are minimum wages, which usually depend on the type of work you’re doing, your age, qualifications, whether you’re doing an apprenticeship or traineeship and the industry you work in.

Every employee has to get a Fair Work Information Statement when they start a new job.

www.fairwork.gov.au

Australian legislation – conditions and salary

TAXIf you work in Australia, your employer will deduct income tax from the salary or wages they pay you and pass it on to the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Before you start work, you will need to get a Tax File Number (TFN). Apply online through the ATO.

At the end of each income year (30 June), most people need to lodge an income tax return. Your employer should provide you with a payment summary which has most of the info required on it. Deadline is 31 October each year.

If you are working temporarily in Australia, you may pay tax at different rates depending on your residency status. You will need to work out whether you are classified as a resident for tax purposes using the residency test on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website: www.ato.gov.au

Australian legislation – conditions and salary

SUPERANNUATION (“Super”)

Money set aside over your lifetime to provide for your retirement.

Employers make compulsory superannuation contributions (minimum 9.25%) on behalf of eligible employees.

Employees can generally choose the superannuation fund into which their contributions are made. Employers will pay super directly into a super fund.

Generally paid to employees who are less than 70 years old; are paid a salary or wages of A$450 or more in a calendar month & who work full-time, part-time or on a casual basis.See: http://www.ato.gov.au

Australian legislation – conditions and salary

SALARYThe national minimum wage acts is a safety net for employees in the national workplace relations system to provide minimum rates of pay for employees not covered by awards or agreements.

Correct as at 1 July 2014: Federal minimum wage is $640.90 per week ($16.87 per hour). Reviewed by the Fair Work Commission annually. Into effect from 1st pay period on or after 1 July each year. Basic rate of pay depends on age, job classification and industrial instruments (e.g. an Award or Workplace Agreement).Casual rates of pay can vary (for example $15 – 26 per hour).

VISASYou must understand your work rights in Australia. See the Dept of Immigration website www.immi.gov.au

BANK ACCOUNTWhen filling in paperwork for a new job, you will be required to provide your bank BSB and account number.

Australian legislation – conditions and salaryFURTHER INFOhttp://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment

http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/

http://employment.gov.au/

International students living in NSW: http://www.nsw.gov.au/internationalstudents-living

Australian Government: http://australia.gov.au/people/students/international-students

NSW Police have Facebook and Weibo pages for international students:https://www.facebook.com/nswinternationalstudents

http://www.weibo.com/signup/signup.php?inviteCode=3165942032

Steps to assist with cultural adaptation

ObservationoObserve what goes on in social situations: what do people who are a similar age, gender, role etc to you do?oObserve how Australians react to your behaviour.oTry to understand why people behave in certain ways by learning about cultural norms, values and beliefs - (the lightbulb moment!).

Self-awarenessoBe mindful of how you interact with others. oPersonal space

ExperimentationoTry new behaviours until you find the one that seems most accepted or ‘normal’ in any given context.oThings that are successful with one person may not work well with others.

A self-audit

1. Which generic/transferable skills do you think are most important for your industry?(e.g. communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical skills, time management, leadership etc…)

2. What is your current level of ability in each of those areas?(e.g. no ability, beginner, intermediate, advanced)

3. How convincing is the evidence you can give in support of your abilities?(i.e. what specific examples can you give to demonstrate your skills?)

4. List specific development activities / your Action Plan list of activities which will enhance your employability…(e.g. join some societies, network, see HELPS for communication lessons, update your resume, seek out opportunities for leadership roles etc…)

Final TipsAdaptation begins with self-awareness. Be aware of your own attitudes and values.

Observe others in your surrounds – you will pick up on what the cultural ‘norms’ are by doing this.

Be open to others and get to know people: talk to them, learn about them and let them learn about you.

Give yourself time and be patient. Transitioning from one culture to another takes time. As an Australian would say, give yourself a “fair go”!

Pat yourself on the back for your courage in going out there and trying something new

Useful booklet - Employability skills and workplace culture in Australia: http://vetinfonet.dtwd.wa.gov.au/Resourcesandlinks/Documents/6.1.1_Employability_guide_Skills_work_place_culture-guide_for_migrants.pdf

UTS:Careerswww.careers.uts.edu.au

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