Checking out supermarket labour usage: The nature of labour usage and employment relations consequences in a food retail firm in Australia

This book examines the nature of labour usage within a market-leading Australian food retail firm and the employment relations consequences of the labour usage strategies employed by the firm. The supermarket and grocery sector employs 6 per cent of the Australian workforce. The sector is dominated by two major chains and is highly competitive, with a reputation for low profit margins, low skills and low pay. The sector is recognised for restructuring employment so that employees tend to be part time, female and juvenile. This research finds that, contrary to the theories of dual labour markets, a strong internal labour market operates within the firm with short hours casual employment as the port of entry. The consequences of this practice for the organisation are high staff turnover levels and consequent recruitment difficulties. For the employees, the consequences depend on their position in the organisational hierarchy and their individual circumstances.