Personality Clash will get you the Sack!

[Chantel]

Tuesday Mar 28 08:51 AEDT

An admission by the federal government that workers can be sacked because of a personality clash with their boss is "breathtaking", says the nation's peak union body.

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews told ABC television a boss could fire an employee if there was a clash of personalities under the new industrial relations system.

ACTU secretary Greg Combet said the workplace reforms, that came into force on Monday, had left workers at the mercy of their bosses.
"It (Mr Andrew's admission) was breathtaking," Mr Combet said.

"It is basically acknowledging that employees can be fired for such a trivial reason."

Mr Andrews told Lateline a boss could now sack a worker if they did not like them.

"That's right, in a smaller business and this is what we believe is a balance between the capital investment I suppose that one puts into a small business," he said.

"You are talking about mums and dads who have put the house on the line taken out a second mortgage to run their small business. Sometimes relationships don't work out," he said.

Workers could not be dismissed on grounds of discrimination such as their race or family responsibilities, Mr Andrews said.

Mr Combet said the government had previously said protections were installed in the new legislation to ensure workers were not left without rights.

"But Kevin Andrews is saying unless you conform to the type of person your boss might want you to be it is quite legitimate for you to be done of out a job.

"They pretended there were all sorts of protections available and now, of course, Kevin Andrews has finally come out and admitted the truth - and that is there is no job security."

Under the new laws, unfair dismissal provisions have been removed for companies with fewer than 100 employees.

Mr Combet said there had been a strong reaction to the start of the new industrial relations laws.

"We've already had calls from people whose jobs have been terminated and or people who have been told that their job is still available but for less pay," he said.

"And I am anticipating many more."

[Hitman]

I have no problem with this.
As an employer, why should I be at the mercy of my employees?
It's the employee who should adapt to working in my environment, not the other way around.
I'm the one putting my neck on the line, and if they don't like it, they can go elsewhere as far as I'm concerned...

[mrkeys]

I agree with the Hitman to a certain extent. I think the question of "clash of personalities" has to be framed for me. I want to know exactly what they mean by this statement.

There has to be a bit of give and take from both parties but at the end of the day it is the employee's role to fit into the culture of the workplace. As it is there choice whether they choose to work there or not.

I have just started managing a team of 10 people. Some of these people I would not choose to hang out with on a weeknight or weekend but in terms of a proffessional working environment we get along amicably...

[Chantel]

I think this is fine.

Not so long ago we had a secretary employed here who made it very difficult to get along with her. She was an absolute bitch to another secretary and made it extremely hard for my co worker to even face work.

She did not even try to adapt the working environment or procedures that had been set in place. It was her controlling and sneaky personality and her inability to understand her position and role within the company, that made it very difficult for the rest of us.

She ended up leaving thankfully.

[Hitman]

Clash of personalities to me means go work for someone else...THE END...

[craigwardo]

I think it's wrong.

Sacking someone for a "personality clash" is a fucking cop out.

Providing the employee completes all tasks in line with the job description, who cares if you get on or not.

It also shows poor management skills, but that's another kettle of fish.

[mrkeys]

I think it's wrong.

Sacking someone for a "personality clash" is a fucking cop out.

Providing the employee completes all tasks in line with the job description, who cares if you get on or not.

That is what I was getting at with the proffessionalism aspect. For me that means meeting your job description as well as fitting in with the rest of your work mates in a work-related capacity.

For me a "clash of personalities" means that there must have been some heated moments in the relationship from either side....

[mrkeys]

Clash of personalities to me means go work for someone else...THE END...

That is your right as the owner of your own small business.

[Hitman]

I think this is fine.

Not so long ago we had a secretary employed here who made it very difficult to get along with her. She was an absolute bitch to another secretary and made it extremely hard for my co worker to even face work.

She did not even try to adapt the working environment or procedures that had been set in place. It was her controlling and sneaky personality and her inability to understand her position and role within the company, that made it very difficult for the rest of us.

She ended up leaving thankfully.

Exactly.

I hate having to tip toe around with people like that.

I value my employees, and let them know that I do.
I have 2 people in particular who have worked for me for years, and have gone out of their way to hep my business grow.
They are like family to me, and I am very appreciative for the work and help they have given me.
Reforms like this will not affect them because of their quality of character.

What a reform like this is saying to employees is llearn to value your job and act accordingly.

Now sure, their probably are some employers who may take advantage of this, but I know that i wouldn't want to work for someone that did...

[craigwardo]

For me a "clash of personalities" means that there must have been some heated moments in the relationship from either side....

Disagree.....

Just because there is a clash or personalities doesn't mean there has to be heated moments.

If both parties are proffesional about the situation then their relationship (personality specific) doesn't matter.