Rights & Responsibilities

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Transport Industry: Recruiting Staff

Job Requirements

Before hiring a person for a position, it is recommended that the employer define the requirements of the job, preferably in writing. This should include:

• skills and duties of the position
• hours to be worked and rostering arrangements
• whether the position will be full-time, part-time or casual
• applicable grade as set out in the Award's Classification Structure, see:
  • Clause 1 Wages in the Transport Industry (State) Award
  • Clause 7 Wages in the Transport Industry - Mixed Enterprise (State) Award

Employers may wish to use or adapt the sample letter of offer.

Advertising

When advertising the job, an employer should give enough information to attract the right applicant.  The advertisement should be specific to discourage unsuitable applicants from applying for the job.

Anti-discrimination laws do not allow employers to harass or discriminate against job applicants when advertising or interviewing.  It is against the law to discriminate on the grounds of sex, pregnancy, race (including colour, nationality, descent, or ethnic or ethno-religious background), marital status, disability, homosexuality, age, transgender or carer responsibilities.  It is also against the law to discriminate against a person on the grounds of trade union activity.

NSW laws also require that advertisements for employment opportunities be genuine, truthful and not specify conditions of employment that do not meet award obligations or are misleading.

Interviewing

Interviews allow the employer to objectively assess the applicant with the best skills, knowledge and experience required for the position.

To gain a good understanding of the applicant's suitability, the employer will need to ask a series of objective questions which relate to the applicant's experience, skills and capabilities.

A reference check may verify the facts given at interview and gather more information about the applicant's performance and behaviour at work.  While applicants are usually able to supply favourable written references, it is preferable to talk to referees directly.

Further information about recruiting staff.