AUDIO NEWS: Customer relations become more transactional and South Australia wants to hire tradespeople

Customer relationships are getting less personal claims NICEIC, a joiner wins at an employee tribunal, and South Australia wants to hire UK tradespeople

Relationships between tradespeople and the public are becoming more ‘transactional’ and less ‘personal’, claims research from NICEIC.

In a survey only 63% of the public said they would offer a tradie a cup of tea, and less than half would allow them to use the toilet.

Younger people in particular, were less likely to start a casual conversation with a tradesperson or offer refreshments.

Paul Collins, technical director with NICEIC, said: “There’s a clear generational divide in how people interact with tradespeople.”

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A joiner won a claim for holiday pay and deducted wages at an employee tribunal, despite not being an employee.

K Brophy worked full time at Rivergate Developments for nearly two months between December 2024 and January 2025.

Despite the firm claiming he was self-employed, Brophy had set hours, no input into his working terms, and had received a starter pack that he was expected to follow.

But the firm refused to pay him over the Christmas break.

The tribunal ruled that Brophy’s tax status didn’t decide their employment status, and Rivergate was ordered to pay just over £1,000 in compensation.

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South Australia is heading to the UK next month to recruit tradespeople.

According to a survey of 2,000 UK people, over 40% would consider relocating to South Australia, driven by the prospect of a better lifestyle, lower living costs and strong employment prospects.

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