{"id":39730,"date":"2026-03-31T21:45:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T21:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nwpeople.com.au\/?p=39730"},"modified":"2026-04-01T23:11:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T23:11:06","slug":"the-reject-shop-and-national-workforce-a-safer-way-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nwpeople.com.au\/workforce\/the-reject-shop-and-national-workforce-a-safer-way-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"The Reject Shop and National Workforce: A Safer Way Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Reject Shop (TRS), one of Australia\u2019s leading discount retailers, operates large-scale distribution centres to support its national store network. With more than 30,000 square metres of warehouse space in Brisbane alone and over 100 staff working around the clock during peak periods, safety is both a cultural and operational priority. In 2021, National Workforce became TRS\u2019s primary labour partner, tasked not only with supporting recruitment at scale but also improving workplace safety outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge<\/b><\/h2>\n

When National Workforce first came on board, TRS was focused on growing its safety culture, with a focus on minimising manual handling-related injuries. Due to the fast-paced nature of the business and the rise in headcount during peak periods, TRS identified that the risk of incidents and injuries increased. As a result, they were committed to finding a labour hire company that could provide well-trained staff who understood the importance of safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

John Bacon, Senior Vice President \u2013 Supply Chain at TRS, explains:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone deserves the right to do their shift and go home safely. We\u2019ve always had a safe environment, but National Workforce helped us tune it better and the outcomes speak for themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The solution<\/b><\/h2>\n

National Workforce<\/a> partnered with TRS to improve workplace safety in warehouse operations, combining practical training initiatives with labour hire recruitment processes designed for safety-first outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediate care and faster recovery<\/b>
\n<\/b>The National Workforce team ensure work-related medical appointments are attended and drive injured team members to a GP within 30 minutes when needed. This hands-on support helps people get back to work sooner through suitable duties and prevents minor issues from escalating.<\/span><\/p>\n

As John notes:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGetting someone in front of a GP quickly makes a huge difference to return-to-work and avoids escalation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Better recruitment and onboarding<\/b>
\n<\/b>Recognising that not everyone is suited to warehouse work, National Workforce introduced <\/span>pre-employment range-of-motion checks and clearer role previews. Candidates now arrive with:<\/span><\/p>\n