There are new rules and regulations for the workplace, the government has issued more than 2000 since taking office, and they are causing some small-businesses to fail. No one likes to see companies to go the wall but then no one likes to see employees without basic rights, the environment polluted or the neighbours’ health put at risk. Pointless form-filling is indefensible but there is nothing wrong with well-intentioned legislation.
The days of pursuing profits by paying poverty-line wages, ignoring health-and-safety issues or deferring investment in environmental safeguards, are over. The rules apply to all and the playing fields are still level, but now only the quality players will prosper. Managers who cannot keep abreast of changes in legislation, technology and customer preferences are a liability. Knowing what’s around the corner, and how to cope with it, has always given the smart operator an edge. That will be even truer in the century to come.
Bill Evett
