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Report on Employee Share Ownership Schemes
The Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business,
the Hon Peter Reith MP, has requested that the House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations
inquire into and report on:
The extent to which employee share ownership schemes have been established
in Australian enterprises and the resultant effects on:
a. workplace relations and productivity in enterprises; and
b. the economy.
The Committee Chair, Dr Brendan Nelson, MP (Lib, NSW), said: "Employee
share ownership schemes have become relatively common in Australian
publicly listed companies. The schemes encourage employees to more closely
identify with their employer and are claimed to have a positive impact
on workplace relations, productivity and enterprise profitability."
"The Committee is keen to examine the extent of employee share
ownership and its effect on workplace relations and productivity. Do
employees appreciate the opportunity to take a stake in their employer
and do they view the objectives of the schemes in a positive light?
Do companies believe that employee share ownership schemes meet their
objectives?"
Dr Nelson said: "It also appears that enterprises in the software,
information and internet arena, which rely heavily on the intellectual
capacities of their workforces, are using employee share and option
schemes as a 'golden handcuff' to reward loyalty and reduce staff turnover."
The Committee is inviting submissions from all interested organisations
and individuals. On the basis of submissions received, the Committee
will be taking evidence at public hearings throughout Australia, starting
in June. The Committee has asked that written submissions be forwarded
by 30 April 1999 if possible, although the Committee will accept submissions
throughout the course of the inquiry.
Written submissions should be forwarded to:
The Secretary,
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment,
Education and Workplace Relations
R1, 116, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Emailed submissions to eewr.reps@aph.gov.au will be accepted provided
they include a postal address.
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