GLOBAL APARTMENT HOTEL OPERATOR JOINS AFA MEMBERSHIP RANKS

Jun 28, 2018

Quest Apartment Hotels, Australasia’s largest and fastest growing global apartment hotel operator is the Australasian Furnishing Association’s (AFA) newest Member. But Why? Quest has commenced work on its first UK site in Liverpool city centre and the safety and...

DO YOU WANT UP TO $50k OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING?

Jun 27, 2018

Does this sound like you? · You need to find a smarter way, a quicker way, a better way to grow · You have great ideas but need to translate ideas into products and into commercial success · You have outgrown your current processes or resources. · You need to plan for...

ARE YOU SOURCING OR DISTRIBUTING DANGEROUS FURNITURE?

Jun 25, 2018

Fifty Australians a week injured by toppling furniture and televisions. An estimated 2,600 Australians receive hospital treatment for injuries caused by toppling furniture and televisions each year, equating to approximately 50 people per week. Since 2001 at least 22...

Possible azo dye risks associated with exposure to furniture

Jun 24, 2018

Recent activity in relation to health concern related to hazardous azo dyes in clothing and bed linen has prompted investigation about possible similar links to textiles and leather in furniture. Coupled with these concerns is the potential exposure to chemicals such as formaldehyde from bonded leather on imported furniture.

HELP?  WHERE HAS MY CUSTOMER GONE? – A GUIDE FOR FURNITURE SUPPLIERS

May 30, 2018

Last week’s two hour workshop in Perth, Western Australia, was hailed as a breakthrough for business leasers who attended the very informative detailed event. Presenter Carlinea Williamson from House of Home worked through how to identify new opportunities based on...

IS YOUR DESIGN I.P BEING RIPPED OFF?

May 30, 2018

FAKE DESIGN FURNITURE ON ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS WEBINAR – WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY 2018 International I.P Tracking Specialists Red Points will debate the problem of counterfeits and illegal replica products on eCommerce platforms, and consumer behaviour towards these products....

MANAGING ILL AND INJURED EMPLOYEES

May 1, 2018

by John Clements, HR Anywhere You hear that one of your employees is again absent from work and this employee has developed a pattern of not attending work.  You have requested medical certificates as evidence for the absence.  These medical certificates provided by...

DRAFT 2018 INDUSTRY SKILLS FORECAST AVAILABLE FOR FEEDBACK

May 1, 2018

The 2018 Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work prepared on behalf of the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee is now available for feedback and comments. The Industry Skills Forecast identifies skills gaps and emerging skills needs within industry...

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR BID ON MAJOR SAUDI CINEMA PROJECT

May 1, 2018

So what does the latest Hollywood smash hit ‘Black Panther’ have to do with furniture? For the first time in 35 years Saudi citizens have been able to go to the movies and the first movie was this blockbuster from Warner Studios which was followed by a major...

Consumer Complaints Continue To Rise

Apr 19, 2018

When you buy goods or services and they break too easily, don’t work or don’t perform as generally expected, you have rights under the law. The Australian Consumer Law (contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) creates a basic set of guarantees...

The Frustration Is Killing Us

Apr 12, 2018

Every now and then we receive quite lengthy well-thought out comments and feedback from our AFA Members which simply highlights the missed opportunities and ways in which our Members could better access our services. Here is an excerpt from a recent email for your...

Australian Industry and Skills Committee – Message From The Chair

Apr 12, 2018

As Chair of the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) reporting to the federal government, AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli joined around 90 IRC Chairs and Deputy Chairs who met in Melbourne recently. The focus of the day was on professional development, with...

AFARC Expressions Of Interest

Apr 12, 2018

The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) has established the AFA Regulatory Committee (AFARC) to support the furnishing industry – and the outcomes required to meet furnishing industry quality assurance and regulatory needs. The AFA Regulatory Committee brings...

Four baby cots recalled in one month

Apr 4, 2018

The Australasian Furnishing Association is alarmed to learn that four separate baby cots have been recalled the ACCC in just one month. Even more alarming is the fact that all three were sold online. ‘With the impending launch of Amazon into Australia, we’re concerned...

THREE THINGS THAT CAN LAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH A FAIR WORK CLAIM

Mar 29, 2018

Did you know that in the 2016/2017 Financial Year, the Fair Work Ombudsman resolved nearly 27,000 requests for assistance involving a workplace dispute – this is up 42% from the previous year. 127 claims of unfair dismissal are made against an employer every day and...

WARNINGS AND TERMINATION

Mar 29, 2018

by John Clements, HR Anywhere Generally, employees perform their duties well and there is no need to take corrective action.  However, where an employee is not meeting either performance or behaviour expectations, it is critical to act.  Coaching and retraining are...