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Businesses Will Treat Young and Aged Employees Differently

With the federal government intending to lift the retirement age because of a shortfall in tax collections, businesses will have to adapt to a new employment environment. The reason given for the policy is claimed to be that the proportion of young taxpayers to middle-aged workers is declining. Of course, this a furphy. There is a shortfall now and the disparity in age sectors is a long term issue. Government will have to subsidize the employment of aged people. Even if the government denies it, this will be necessary. Conditions of employment will have cater for the inability to perform at a high physical level. This is an area where the elderly will not be able to compete. The young will have to vacate their comfortable seats for those much older. This is obvious. The young can learn from those with a lifetime of work experience, but what can these people learn from the young? Businesses should know that these groups will remain different and will have to treat them ac...

Shopping Centers are Watching You

Even if you shop online you are being watched. Furthermore, new technology is being rolled out in Australian shops to find out your shopping habits. This does not just include purchasing. The way you examine goods will also be recorded and analysed. The other day I was in Coles supermarket. I examined a product and put it back on the shelf. Then I continued into the fresh vegetable section. I was accosted there by a shop assistance who said I must purchase the product because I had lifted the wrapping on the corner. It was captured on camera.  This was a bit of a shock I must say. The key to avoiding being tracked is to leave your mobile phone at home. Phones are being used as tracking sources without your permission. The government is going to allow this. To gain access to wi-fi you will unwittingly give your permission to be tracked. To confuse those collecting data you can lend your mobile to family members, or even wear a dress if you are a man. Westfield sho...

Firms attempt to Circumvent Australian Consumer Laws

This country has longer "proving" times for consumers. It means that a product must do what it expected to do for longer than in other countries. The public is well protected here. Fisher & Paykel a New Zealand company recently lost a court battle because it did not exchange faulty goods. Clearly, businesses do not like the protection laws. It is not only foreign firms like Apple that are ignoring or trying to circumvent Australian consumer laws. Harvey Norman, a large chain of franchises, has had five of its stores fined for not abiding by the law. Companies continue to fight to the High Court where all cases so far have been lost. The law is very clear - a product must serve its primary function for a decent period of time. If it doesn't, a refund or exchange for a new item must be given. Because firms are wasting court time the fines are increasing. They have reached $32,000. Besides the fines, stores are ordered to display signs setting out co...