Glossary
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Wage
Monetary compensation paid by an employer to an employee in exchange for work performed. This may be calculated based on an agreed hourly rate, portion of sales earned (commission) or the number of items completed (piece-rate).
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Whistle-blower
An individual who reports on an illegal activity or wrongdoing in the workplace such as theft, acts of fraud, sexual harassment, corruption, or other activity that may pose a risk to the general public or the safety, financial stability or public image of the company.
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WHS
Abbreviation for ‘Work Health and Safety’. Work Health and Safety is the discipline concerned with protecting the health and safety of all stakeholders in the workplace from exposure to hazards and risks resulting from work activities.
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Work Life Balance
Refers to the balance that an individual seeks between time allocated for work and other aspects of life (eg. personal interests, family, social and leisure activities).
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Worker
A person who works under a contract. This term can refer to employees and / or contractors. Specific legislation may define the term with a different meaning.
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Workplace Authority
This was an Australian government statutory agency that existed between 2007 and 2009. It has since been renamed and separated to two different divisions: Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman.
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Workplace Bullying
When a person or group of people in the workplace act unreasonably towards someone and poses a risk to their health and. Examples of workplace bullying include aggressive behaviour, setting of unreasonable work demands, teasing or practical jokes, pressuring someone to behave inappropriately and excluding people from work-related events.
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Workplace Relations Act 1996
Was a workplace law regarding employment rights and working conditions, which commenced on 1 January 1997. The Act replaced the Industrial Relations Act 1988.