Essay/Term paper: The hospitality industry

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Miscellaneous

The Food and

Hospitality Industry has become one of the biggest

employers in our state. It now has attained a much higher

status in society and demands high standards of work from

its employees. Employment opportunities are many, but

eagerly sought by a vast majority of people. For this reason

as in any other established business, interviews are

conducted. Through these interviews, the interviewer looks

for personal qualities and interpersonal skills in a

prospective employee to fulfill the job requirements. One of

the most important things that an employer looks for are

personal qualities. These consist of: a keen attitude, a

friendly disposition, neat appearance, a willingness to work,

confidence, cleanliness, personal hygiene, deportment

(efficient) and honesty, among the many others.

Interpersonal skills basically include the ability to interact

with people and using initiative to deal with problems which

may arise if the customer is not satisfied. If interpersonal

and personal skills are exercised then they will greatly

contribute to a happy and successfully working

environment. This can be accomplished by remembering to

keep in mind the fundamental aspect of any catering

establishment which is to "Always acknowledge that the

customers are the most important people in the business,

and nothing is more important than serving them." - An

introduction to catering. Due to the fact that a large amount

of job satisfaction can be found in the food and hospitality

industry, jobs are very often sought after. Many who wish

to enter the industry usually do so by gaining a

apprenticeship . Apprenticeships in the hospitality industry

usually last between 2.5 years to 4 years. These

apprenticeships mainly consist of "on the job training",

combined with full time practical work experience, along

with future training at TAFE. Apprenticeships are usually

categorized into : bread making and baking, butchering and

small goods making, cooking , pastry cooking and waiting.

To gain a apprenticeship today in South Australia a person

needs to be at least 15 years old. Also the applicant is

required to have at least reached year 10, and to have a

good grounding in basic mathematics. Apprenticeships are

administered by the state government and before applying

for one it is recommended that one registers their interest

with a job centre. When a employer takes on a apprentice,

there is a probationary period of three months before the

contract is signed, this ensures that the employer will permit

the apprentice to take time off to attend classes. Many

people belief that apprenticeships and traineeships are the

same, however the two do differ some what, for example:

The Federal Government have administed traineeships,

which last for a minimum of a year, and consists of 13

weeks in off the job training and 39 weeks in employment.

Unlike a apprenticeship the minimum age for a traineeship

is 16 - 19 years old. On completion of the traineeship,

trainees are awarded an Australian Traineeship which

provided"s nationwide industry recognition. The certificate

also enables the trainee to qualify for further education and

training. In1927 the ACTU came into action for almost all

Australian industries. The ACTU provides greater

individual negotiation between worker and employer. The

trade movement in Australia has provided its members

worker collective power to improve their rights and

working conditions. Its these trade unions which have had a

major impact in the development of industrial law and

industrial relation. The main hospitality industry union is the

Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous workers

union, which has about 250 000 members. Australian trade

unionism is characterized by a system of regulation of

industrial relations. The Australian trade union in the pass

few years has provided its members with collective power

to improve their rights and working conditions. It is these

trade unions which have played a major role in the

development of industrial law and industrial relations.

Unions need to be registered and have rules for their

activities. Union members pay membership fees. Trade

unions maintain contact with their members through a

network of workplace representatives. The union

representative can discuss members complaints with the

employer. The union also provides legal assistance, and

keeps them informed in workplace health and safety issues.

Legislation"s is laws which have been passed by the

Federal and State Government to control conflicts which

may arise in the work place. An example of this is the

industrial relations act which creates the Australian

industrial relations commission ( the IRC ) The IRC deals

with industrial disputes and approving settlements. This

usually results in the creation of variation of awards and

agreements. Before a legislation is pass it must first go

thorough both houses of parliament. Rules are sets of

principals and guidelines for a legislation. It is the awards

and agreements in the Hospitality Industry which set the

legal minimum wages and working conditions for specified

occupations. Awards outline: the minimum wage to be paid

for the job, the maximum hours to be worked, public

holidays and sick leave rights, superannuation rights, the

length of notice to be given, and any payments to be made

when the employee is retrenched. These awards and

agreements are set by the Government and in no way can

be negotiated. They can however be negotiated in awards

such as the Hotels, Resorts and Hospitality Industry

Award, in regards that over award payments can be

negotiated by any employee. Union officials and

Government inspectors are enable to examine time and

wages records to ensure that employees are being paid

correctly. State awards cover employees of hotel, motels

and casinos in the parts of Australia that don"t fall under the

Federal Hotels Awards. As a result of the awards

employees have a obligation to: Follow all reasonable

commands that relate to their employment, to perform there

jobs in a competent manner, work at a reasonable standard

of competence, preserve confidentiality and to work the

hours agreed in accordance with awards or agreements.

Where as Employers have a obligation to: Pay for work

performed, pay full wages when the employee is ill, pay for

any loss or injury to a third party caused by an employee"s

action at work, observe statutory obligations, provide

suitable amenities, provide work appropriate to the

employee"s skill and to provide a safe, hygienic workplace.

Enterprise bargaining was introduced through a new

legislation in 1991 which provides employers and

employees with the opportunity to enter individual

enterprise agreements. Where a agreement cannot be

reached the relevant award continues to apply. However

there are a few restrictions such as: The hourly rate of pay

for ordinary time can"t be under the level set by the award,

the agreement cant stipulate more than 40 hours of work

per week and it has to provide a minimum sick leave

period on full pay each year. Also the Annual Holiday Act

of 1994 and the Long Service Leave Acts and the

Employment Protection Acts of 1983 need to be complied

with. A few acts and regulations are: Commonwealth

industrial Relations Act 1988, and the Industrial and

employee relations act 1994 As regards to opportunities

for career development an training, employees have to

undergo training to qualify for increased wages and access

to career paths. It is essential, especially in the hospitality

industry that all employees are multi - skilled.

RESOURCES Introductory module 9 Hospitality law and

industrial relations An introduction to catering assigned text

book TAFE Tea Tree Gully TAFE Giles Plains Information

Sheet received in class