The Right to Disconnect Bill – What does this mean for your Business?
The Right to Disconnect Bill which was passed last week will come into effect in the coming months once Royal Assent has been received.
IMPORTANT UPDATES YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING THE CLOSING LOOPHOLES BILL
Superannuation is now an entitlement under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act as of 1 January 2024. As such, please note the following:
Sexual Harassment at Work – A Case Study
In August 2023, a former employee of Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd who worked as an electrician, lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission.
(Just In) Workplace Health and Safety laws Amendments in every Australian jurisdiction.
In the third quarter of 2023, significant amendments were made to workplace health and safety laws in every Australian jurisdiction.
Proposed changes to casual employment provisions
There are some proposed amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) within the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (the Bill) around casual employment and implications for employers.
Victorian Workcover Premiums – Costs are skyrocketing – Let us help you put money back into your pocket.
Over the last couple of months, Victorian businesses have had to fork out thousands of extra dollars to pay for escalating Workcover premiums.
Annual Wage Review 2023
The Fair Work Commission has just announced its decision regarding the 2023 Annual Wage Review.
Government Funded Paid Parental Leave – Change from 1 July 2023
Currently, the Federal Government offers Paid Parental Leave of 18 weeks to primary carers with a separate two-week paid initiative for partners called ‘Dad and Partner Pay’.
Unsafe unloading processes kill two workers in quick succession, Best Benchtop and Stone Pty Ltd and Australian Rong Hua Fu Pty Ltd were heavily fined.
Two businesses have been fined a total of $800,000 over separate but alarmingly similar fatalities involving the handling of heavy materials in confined spaces.
The Port Augusta Steel Centre Pty Ltd has been fined $200k for lack of “active” management
A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has been fined $134,000, and its two directors $33,000 each, for failing to comply with their basic obligations, after a young worker was pinned under 1.2 tonnes of steel sheets.
Family and Domestic Violence Leave
Effective 1 February 2023, full time, part time and casual employees will be able to access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave each year as part of the National Employment Standards (NES) in the Fair Work Act.
Minimum Working Age
Each state and territory have its own rules regarding the age a young person can commence work and the hours that they can be engaged in paid work.
Contractor vs Employee
When a business considers engaging someone to perform work, often the decision is about whether to engage them as an employee or as a contractor.
Payment for Public Holidays
Australian National Public Holidays are New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Workplace Behaviour
In September, the Federal Government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) (Bill) which are important reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in response to the 2020 Respect@Work report on workplace sexual harassment.
Working in Heat
Before we know it, summer will have arrived. Working in heat can be hazardous and harmful for workers and Employers have duties under WHS legislation to manage risks to worker health and safety; including those associated with working in heat therefore taking appropriate precautions against the known risks of working in heat and/or air pollution.
Respect @ Work
On Tuesday 27 September, the Federal Government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) (Bill) which are important reforms to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 in response to the 2020 Respect@Work report on workplace sexual harassment.
Workplace Manslaughter
Industrial manslaughter laws were introduced in most states over the past several years as a result of increased safety risks that resulted in death, primarily in the construction industry.
Employing people on working visas
As an employer, you are legally obligated to make sure that any employees you hire are able to work in Australia and have proof of their Australian working rights. Employers may also wish to employ and sponsor a skilled migrant should the employee not have the requisite visa.
Are you closing your business down over Christmas and New Year?
Many businesses choose to have a close down at some point during the year and often it is over the Christmas and New Year period.
