On 28 March 2020, the Fair Work Commission agreed to vary the Clerks – Private Sector Award in response to the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employers and employees where this Award has application and coverage. A temporary schedule was inserted into the Award to provide some flexibility for employers in […]
The Federal Government has clarified some key issues relating to the proposed wage subsidy program (‘JobKeeper Payment’). Employers should note that at the time of this Alert, the legislation governing this program is currently being finalised and will come before Federal parliament in the week of 6 April 2020. As a result of lack of […]
The Federal Government has introduced a subsidy program to support both employees and businesses due to the impact of the Coronavirus crisis. Employers should note that at the time of this Alert, the legislation governing this program has not been passed and so the information provided below is general in nature from what is known […]
As the implications of COVID-19 for employers slowly become clearer in some respects (and less so in others), Aitken Legal thought it appropriate to confirm a couple of now generally accepted positions on common questions that some employers are asking. Paid leave entitlements will accrue for permanent employees during stand down If a permanent employee […]
Are you an employer in the retail industry? If so, you may be affected by recent and upcoming changes to penalty rates under the General Retail Industry Award 2010. From 1 March 2020, penalty rates for casual employees increased as follows: Weekday evenings (ordinary hours after 6pm Monday to Friday) – 140% (inclusive of the […]
The Fair Work Commission’s changes to the annualised wage provisions in 18 awards take effect from 1 March 2020. The changes will also be made to a further 4 awards on a date yet to be determined. These provisions typically replace what had been referred to previously in the Awards as annualised salary arrangements, but […]
With 2020 well underway, it might be time for employers to undertake a ‘HR health check’. Undertaking a HR health check will help to minimise workplace risks and set your business up for a great year ahead. In this update we look at some practical tips that employers can focus on now to avoid costly […]
Modern awards will be extensively varied in 2020 as the 4-yearly review of awards starts to come to an end. The Fair Work Commission has released the first group of 31 varied awards which will come into effect on 4 February 2020. The changes made include various award specific variations as well as restructuring, technical and […]
On 27 November 2019 the Palaszczuk State Government passed legislation to amend the Holidays Act 1983, with the key takeaway for employers being that hours worked after 6.00pm on Christmas Eve will now be a part-day public holiday. The change follows similar changes in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Specifically, following the change, the […]
In this alert we touch on some of the important upcoming changes that you need to be aware of in relation to: Annualised Salaries in Awards Mandatory Whistleblower Policies due 1 January 2020 Award changes Annualised Salaries in Awards – changes coming The Fair Work Commission recently decided that changes will be made to the annualised salary […]