Qantas to sack 400 workers at Tullamarine

Qantas are looking to sack 400 maintenance workers at Tullamarine airport with cutbacks in the area.  Qantas are offering the workers positions in Western Australia as part of the mining boom.

http://www.news.com.au/business/qantas-to-sack-400-workers-at-tullamarine/story-e6frfm1i-1226343178325

Google 'aware of data scoop'

While Google have denied the deliberate taking of private information from users why taking street view shots, sources say it was a deliberate and supervisors new about the taking of information.

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/google-aware-of-data-scoop-20120429-1xsxx.html

Winds of change threaten JB Hi-Fi: analyst

As the battles between the large retailers (Coles and Woolworths) grows, does it mean the end of stores like JB Hi Fi?  Chris Zappine, writer for The Age, looks at the future of JB Hi Fi.

Coles fined $170k over worker's fall

Coles have been fined $170,000 after a worked was injured at work.

http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/coles-fined-170k-over-workers-fall/story-e6frfkur-1226340681421

Macquarie slashes 1300 staff as profit dives

After profit results were worse than expected, Macqurie has slashed 1300 jobs.

http://www.news.com.au/business/macquarie-groups-profit-falls-24-per-cent/story-e6frfm1i-1226340668144

Ford workers to be locked out with CMI Industrial on brink of administration

More than 1800 Ford workers at the Altona and Broadmeadows plants may be locked out tomorrow as concerns over the longevity of CMI Industrial.

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/ford-workers-to-be-locked-out-with-cmi-industrial-on-brink-of-administration/story-e6frfm9r-1226338749404

Burger King to use free-range products

Global company Burger King have announced that they will be only using free-range products.

http://www.news.com.au/business/burger-king-to-use-free-range-products/story-e6frfm1i-1226338514155

Lend Lease fined $54 million for fleecing 9/11 memorial

Lend Lease has been forced to pay penalties to US companies for the overcharging of projects, including the 9/11 memorial

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/lend-lease-fined-54-million-for-fleecing-911-memorial/story-e6frfm1i-1226337811075#ixzz1t5qb79Lu

Quality Assurance ... With Eggs

An interesting look at Quality Assurance in regards to eggs.  Thanks to Mr Wood

http://business.mrwood.com.au/article.asp?id=18

Customers wonder how rewarding loyalty really is

There are a number of different rewards programs out there that reward loyalty, including Flybuys, Everyday rewards (Woolworths), Smiggle, Rebel Sport, Qantas Frequent Flyers, just to name a few.  Customers are now questioning this loyalty, are they actually getting "rewarded" for staying with one company, as opposed to shopping around.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/customers-wonder-how-rewarding-loyalty-really-is-20120421-1xdwq.html

Sex Workers want employment rights

Sex workers in South Australia fighting for workplace rights in regards to dismissal, minimum wage and collective bargaining

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/sex-workers-want-employment-rights/story-e6frfm9r-1226284771142

Ford poised to stand down 1800 plant workers as key supplier collapses

Ford are looking to stand down 1800 workers due being unable to get parts from another company who has been locked out of their premises due to a dispute with landlord about unpaid Rent.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/ford-poised-to-stand-down-1800-plant-workers-as-key-supplier-collapses/story-e6frfm1i-1226336481980#ixzz1sv1taqKE

Struggling Car parts manufacturer APV Automotive Components has been saved from closure with the assistance of receivers, saving jobs at the company, as well as jobs at Ford manufacturing plants in Altona and Broadmeadows.

http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/jobs-saved-at-melbourne-car-parts-plant/story-e6frfkur-1226336343078

Honour our deal on redundancies, Toyota tells manufacturing union

The Manufacturers Union is urging Toyota to ensure that is follows deals made between them in regards to the redundancy of Toyota workers.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/honour-our-deal-on-redundancies-toyota-tells-union/story-fn59noo3-1226333767102

Sacked Toyota workers begin legal action

The Toyota workers who were sacked recently are now persuing legal action against Toyota for unfair dismissal for discriminatory reasons.

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/sacked-toyota-workers-begin-legal-action/story-e6frfm9r-1226336789610

Hundreds of Toyota workers 'to be marched out'

Toyota is increasing security to ensure that the 350 workers leave without incident today.

 Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/hundreds-of-toyota-workers-to-be-marched-out-20120416-1x22q.html#ixzz1s9Op89w1

There's no stopping Draw Something cheats

Draw Something has become more popular than Angry Birds, and has grossed more than $180 Million, but gamers are frustrated at 'cheaters' who will just write the word rather than draw the picture.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/theres-no-stopping-draw-something-cheats/story-e6frfrt9-1226321237897

iPad brand becomes a household name

A case of another brand becoming a household name - we "Google" something, drink a "Prima", grab a "Band-aid", and now instead of a Tablet, we grab an iPad.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/ipad-brand-becomes-a-household-name/story-e6frfro0-1226322304431

Centrelink staff spat on and abused

Centrelink staff in Tasmania will now have protection after a number of incidents where staff have been verbally abused and spat on.

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/centrelink-staff-spat-on-and-abused/story-e6frfm9r-1226322491927

ACCC approves $2 billion Foxtel takeover of Austar

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have approved the takeover of Austar by Foxtel.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/accc-approves-2-billion-foxtel-takeover-of-austar/story-e6frfm1i-1226322636687#ixzz1raw71xH6

Stay-at-home truths don't discourage daddy daycarers

While men still fell the stigma of being stay at home dads, the number of men choosing to be at home with children is increasing.

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/stay-at-home-truths-dont-discourage-daddy-daycarers/story-e6frfm9r-1226322486835

Facebook buying photo-share app Instagram for $1B

Facebook have purchased the company making the app Instagram for $1Billion.  They plan on continuing to run the company as a separate entity to Facebook and not close the app.

http://www.news.com.au/business/facebook-buying-photo-share-app-instagram-for-1b/story-e6frfm1i-1226322429959

More companies are going down the gurgler

Karina Barrymore 

From:Herald Sun 

April 06, 2012

A RECORD number of Australian companies went bust in February as the downturn in consumer confidence took a devastating toll, new figures reveal.

And more records could tumble, with insolvency experts warning that corporate collapses are likely to remain at historic highs for the rest of the year.

National accountancy firm Taylor Woodings says a fall in consumer spending and poor business confidence are undermining company profitability, driving the insolvency spike.

Official figures reveal there were 1123 insolvencies in February - the highest monthly level since records began in 1998. Chief casualties were retail, tourism and construction businesses.

In Victoria 270 companies collapsed, which was more than double the number of insolvencies the previous month and up 16 per cent on February last year.

Taylor Woodings managing partner Michael Ryan said Victorian companies still remained among the strongest financially.

"Victoria, of all the states has weathered the (global financial crisis) and the follow-on the best," Mr Ryan told BusinessDaily last night.

"This is because going into the GFC, property prices did not increase as quickly as in other states ... where high real estate prices perhaps fuelled some poor management decisions.

"The latest insolvency figures reflect the difficulties facing many retail, tourism, building and construction and property development companies with the global financial crisis continuing to have a lag effect."

Historically, insolvencies climb in February after a quiet period at Christmas. But there was a 117 per cent jump nationally from January to February this year - well ahead of the average 47 per cent increase.

"This is an early indication that insolvencies will remain high nationally for the remainder of the calendar year because the pressures on small businesses are not easing," Mr Ryan said.

"These pressures include a high Australian dollar, low confidence, tightness in lending markets and a slowdown in the residential building and retail sectors."

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission issued the February insolvency figures this week.

They reveal NSW had the largest number of company collapses at 453, and the biggest percentage increase - up 134 per cent from the previous month. Queensland and Western Australia also recorded spikes in insolvency numbers - up 122 per cent and 114 per cent respectively in February.

Court-ordered wind-ups soared 470 per cent as the Australian Tax Office amped up claims against companies.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/more-companies-down-the-gurgler/story-fn7j19iv-1226320117723

Energy Watch and Corporate Culture

Thanks to Mr Wood, an analysis of Corporate Culture and Energy Watch

http://business.mrwood.com.au/article.asp?id=16

Energy broker EnergyWatch counts cost of CEO's offensive Facebook rant

CEO and major shareholder of EnergyWatch has stepped down after an offensive rant on Facebook.  EnergyWatch was then dumped as the major sponsor of the Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Rebels.

The company now counts the cost of the bad publicity on the business.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/energy-broker-energywatch-counts-cost-of-ceos-offensive-facebook-rant/story-e6frg6nf-1226319840608

The fries are more popular than the salad at McDonald's

While McDonald's have made the move to offer a more healthier menu, the majority of its sales are still the more unhealthy options.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/the-fries-are-more-popular-than-the-salad-at-mcdonalds/story-e6frfm1i-1226319362845#ixzz1rCffuLnq

German caretaker steals 20 tonnes of office supplies

While a number of employees do steal office supplies, a German caretaker has been found with 20 tonnes of office equipment, including detergents and ladders.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/employee-steals-20-tonnes-of-office-supplies/story-e6frfm9r-1226317474684#ixzz1rCei05C6

They're Woolworths, the Fresh Start people

In a move between the Gillard Government and Woolworths, the Government are helping build jobs in Sydney for the long term unemployed, indigenous Australians, older people and those with a disability.

http://www.news.com.au/business/theyre-woolworths-the-fresh-start-people/story-e6frfm1i-1226315933295

Retailers creating a Boxing Day buzz at Easter time

Retailers trying to make Easter into as big a spending day as Boxing Day.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/retailers-creating-a-boxing-day-buzz-at-easter-time/story-e6frfm1i-1226319334031#ixzz1rCbkJuKd

Australian dollar may drop below parity

Latest economic figures from China and Australia are leading to a conclusion that the Australia dollar may fall below $1US, pushing shoppers from online back into stores.

http://www.news.com.au/business/australian-dollar/dollar-falls-after-release-of-us-fed-minutes/story-fn6t6wad-1226318905142

Cafe boss faces jail after holding barista interviews with female applicants while naked

A cafe boss in England has been arrested after holding interviews with female applicants, two under the age of 18, while naked.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/cafe-boss-faces-jail-after-holding-barista-interviews-with-female-applicants-while-naked/story-e6frfm1i-1226320121128#ixzz1rCZ4eKGw

Australia working towards flexibility

Survey shows that Australia is moving away from the regular 9 - 5 jobs, and towards more flexible work hours.

http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/australia-working-towards-flexibility/story-e6frfm9r-1226315017448