The Federal Election has come and gone with a surprise win for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalition. In this alert we look at what a re-elected Coalition will mean for employers. Crack down on underpaying Employees ‘Wage theft’ is a hot topic and a big focus for the Government and the Fair Work […]
The Government has passed changes to the Fair Work Act providing employees with 5 days’ unpaid family and domestic violence leave each year. The new leave entitlement commenced on 12 December 2018 and has been added to the National Employment Standards (NES) of the Fair Work Act. The new NES leave entitlement is almost identical […]
There have been plenty of changes in relation to casual employment over the past few months with more changes just recently announced by the Federal Government. Firstly, the Government has amended the Fair Work Regulations to provide assistance to employers against ‘double-dipping’ claims made by casual employees who are paid a casual loading and then […]
This month we look at changes made to all modern awards regarding requests for flexible working arrangements. These changes were effective from 1 December 2018. We also look at the recent finding that a Foodora delivery rider was an employee not a contractor. This serves as a timely reminder about getting the ‘employee or independent […]
Question: I have employed several employees on a casual basis for more than 12 months. I’ve heard that as of 1 October 2018, Award-covered casual employees are entitled to request conversion to part-time or full-time employment. What does this mean for me and what are my legal obligations? Answer: On 1 October 2018, all Awards […]
As part of its 4-yearly review, the Fair Work Commission has made changes to a number of modern awards. The changes are in relation to payment of wages on termination of employment as well as plain language re-drafting of several standard clauses. The changes take effect from the start of the first full pay period […]
This month we look at the new international OHS standard published by Standards Australia. We also discuss the current ‘casual leave’ issue that is set to be considered again by the Federal Court, with a number of parties intervening in a new case brought by Workpac. New OHS standard published The world’s first international OHS […]
This month we look at a recent Full Federal Court decision which found that an employee engaged as a casual and paid a casual loading was in fact a permanent employee and entitled to paid annual leave. The employee was placed at a mine-site through a labour hire company – the employer (WorkPac). The employer […]
The Fair Work Commission has made changes to some penalty rates in the General Retail Industry Award. In short, the Commission has increased weekday evening (Monday to Friday after 6pm) and Saturday penalty rates for casuals and has decreased Sunday shiftwork penalty rates for both casuals and permanent employees. The changes will be phased in […]
The Federal Circuit Court has ordered a company and its Director to pay over $570,000 in penalties and underpayments. Facts: A company has been found to have underpaid 23 employees over a period of eighteen months. Evidence was produced showing that the company decisively sought out young and vulnerable employees. Some of these employees were […]