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ARTICLE · 17 APRIL 2018

Job titles and modern award coverage - what is in a name?

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FWC takes a "substance over form" approach in considering job titles and their relevance for a particular modern award. .

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Michael Byrnes
Michael Byrnes
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THE NAME GAME

Amusing articles appear on a regular basis about the renaming of particular occupations in an effort to make them seem more grand or important than they have been traditionally regarded.

Some examples that have been cited include renaming "Bar Attendant" to "Beverage Dissemination Officer", "Labourer" to "Mortar Logistics Engineer", "Garbage Collector" to "Recycling Operative", "Toilet Cleaner" to "Sanitation Consultant" and "Panel Beater" to "Vehicle Restoration Engineer ".

While there may well be a laudable intention behind rebranding particular occupations that have not been accorded the respect or importance they might deserve, the mere renaming of a position does not, of itself, change its essential character.

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