General Retail Industry Award coverage: comprehensive guide

The General Retail Industry Award 2020 is designed to cover employees involved in various roles within the retail sector. This award ensures that retail workers, from sales assistants to store managers, receive fair wages and working conditions tailored to the unique demands of retail operations. However, it includes specific provisions and exclusions that employers must understand to ensure proper compliance.

Understanding the intricacies of the General Retail Industry Award is crucial for both employers and employees to guarantee fair treatment and adherence to industry standards within the retail sector.

Who’s covered under the General Retail Award?

The Retail Award is comprehensive, catering to a wide range of employees and employers within the retail sector. Here’s an overview of the coverage provided by this award:

Employees in the general retail industry

This segment encompasses various roles within retail settings, reflecting the industry's diversity. Examples include:

• Sales associates: Assist customers and manage product displays.
• Stock handlers: Manage inventory and ensure product availability.
• Customer service representatives: Handle enquiries, returns, and exchanges.
• Checkout operators: Manage transactions and ensure smooth checkout processes.

On-hire employees in the general retail industry

This category addresses the dynamic nature of retail, where on-hire or agency employees meet varying demands. Examples include:

• Contract sales staff: Temporarily boost sales efforts or cover seasonal peaks.
• Temporary inventory specialists: Specialise in stocktaking and inventory management.
• Agency customer service assistants: Fill temporary roles during peak periods or staff shortages.

Apprentices and trainees engaged by group training employers

Recognising the importance of nurturing future retail professionals, this award covers individuals gaining practical experience. Examples include:

• Retail management trainees: Participate in structured training programs aimed at retail management qualifications.
• Sales and marketing trainees: Learn effective sales strategies and marketing approaches.
• Customer relations trainees: Master customer service excellence, handle feedback, and promote loyalty programs.

Who isn’t covered under the General Retail Award?

Not all roles within the retail sector fall under the General Retail Industry Award. There are specific exclusions to consider:

• Employees covered by alternate awards with retail classifications: Some retail roles may be more suitably covered under different awards. For example, employees in a boutique design studio might be covered by the Graphic Arts, Printing, and Publishing Award.
• Employees excluded by the Fair Work Act from award coverage: Senior management and high-income employees, as defined by the Fair Work Act, don’t fall under this award because of their earnings or roles.
• Employees covered by a Modern Enterprise Agreement (EBA): Retail employees under a specific enterprise agreement aren’t covered by the Retail Award. This includes workers at large retail chains with tailored terms and conditions.
• Employees under a state reference public sector modern Award or state reference public sector transitional award: Public sector employees involved in retail activities but governed by state-specific awards, such as state-run enterprises, are excluded.
• Employers in relation to employees mentioned in points 3 and 4: Entities that employ staff under specific agreements or awards, such as government agencies and large corporate entities, are excluded.

• Employees covered by other industry-specific awards: Roles within the retail sector that fall under different awards because of their specialised nature. For example, pharmacy assistants in community pharmacies may be covered by the Pharmacy Industry Award, and employees in automotive retail might be covered by the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services, and Retail Award.

General Retail Industry Award coverage: Practical example

Mark works as a sales assistant at a boutique fashion store that also has an in-store coffee shop. His job includes:

• Product sales (50% retail-specific): Assisting customers with purchases, managing product displays, and processing transactions.
• Inventory management (20% retail-specific): Organising stock and ensuring availability.
• Coffee shop assistance (30% general): Preparing and serving beverages, and maintaining the coffee shop area.

Analysis

Mark’s role is predominantly retail-specific (70%), with a smaller portion of general tasks (30%), making him eligible for coverage under the General Retail Industry Award.

Steps to determine coverage

1. Outline key responsibilities: Document the main tasks and classify them as either general or retail-specific.
2. Examine award criteria: Compare job responsibilities with the definitions and classifications provided in the General Retail Industry Award and other pertinent awards.
3. Assess primary functions: Evaluate the primary duties. If retail-specific tasks are the majority, the General Retail Industry Award is likely applicable.
4. Verify exclusions: Identify any exclusions mentioned in the General Retail Industry Award and related awards.
5. Review employment agreements: Analyse any enterprise agreements or contracts to determine their applicability in comparison to the award.
6. Seek professional advice: If uncertain, consult with industrial relations experts or legal advisors.
7. Document everything: Maintain comprehensive records of the analysis, awards considered, expert advice, and the rationale for the final decision.

Distinctions within General Retail Industry Award coverage

The General Retail Industry Award contains several nuances and specific details that often catch employers by surprise:

• Wide scope of coverage: This award includes a broad range of retail operations, from clothing and food to personal and recreational goods. Many businesses might not realise they fall under this award because of its extensive coverage.
• Inclusion of bakery shops and newsagents: Bakery shops engaged in baking and selling on the premises and newsagents involved in newspaper delivery are specifically covered. This means roles integral to these businesses are recognised under the award.
• Exclusion of specific sectors: Community pharmacies, hair and beauty establishments, and certain food services (like restaurants and cafes) are excluded. The award focuses on traditional retail operations.
• On-hire employees and apprentices/trainees coverage: The award covers on-hire employees and those in group training schemes within the retail sector. Employers must adhere to the award's guidelines for these types of employment, especially when using agency staff for peak periods or hosting trainees.
• Exclusions based on activity and location: The award doesn’t cover clerical tasks performed outside a retail setting, warehousing, distribution, or certain contractor roles. Employers need to consider the type and location of work to determine award applicability, such as an employee handling inventory in a separate warehouse.
• Clarification on dual award coverage: If an employer is covered by more than one award, the most appropriate award for the employee’s work and industry should be applied.
• Specific exclusions for certain industries: The award explicitly excludes sectors like motor vehicle retailing and pharmacies within hospitals or other institutions. This helps employers understand their obligations and refer to more applicable awards.
• Coverage of deliveries by newsagent employees: The inclusion of newspaper delivery as a covered activity highlights the award's attention to roles integral to retail operations, but not traditionally considered as such.

Simplifying General Retail Industry Award coverage compliance with Rippling

Navigating the intricacies of award coverage requires careful management to ensure compliance and fair treatment of employees. Rippling’s unified platform provides comprehensive tools to help your business stay on top of award coverage requirements, with ease. Key features include:

• Automated employee classification: Automatically classify employees according to the appropriate awards.
• Real-time compliance alerts: Stay updated with any changes in award coverage.
• Detailed reporting: Generate reports to ensure compliance and maintain accurate records.
• Custom templates: Use pre-built and customisable templates for various awards.
• Audit support: Access historical data and audit trails to support compliance audits.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.