“The message for Australian employers is to be alert to, but not alarmed by, steps taken by groups of employees to voice their opinions on the impact of business decisions or on broader social issues,” writes Jennifer Flinn for Human Resources Director. She is a special counsel in the workplace team at Perth-based MinterEllison. “Depending on the circumstances, signs of collective employee concern or disharmony can open the door for genuine engagement with the workforce.”
Australian employers have not had to worry so much about workers tapping into social media to organise or engage in campaigns to create changes at the workplace, Flinn writes. That is because courts have consistently sided with employers who oust employees who have used social media to critique them. But smart companies will not be dismissive of employees who push for companies to be more engaged in social issues, she adds.
“Although, the predicted rise in employee activism should be prompting employers to carefully look at their suite of policies: nicely phrased but generalised statements about having a 'commitment' to take into account social issues like climate change, diversity and ethical purchasing, are not going to meet the expectations of the next generation of employees,” Flinn writes. “They will not only expect their employer to have such policies, but will also want to see real evidence of that commitment.”