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.
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.
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.
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’.
Direction to take annual leave during shutdown
Previously if a business was having a shut down, for example between Christmas and New Year, an employer could direct an employee to use their annual leave for the duration of the shutdown.
Are you paying too much for your Workers Compensation Insurance?
If your business is registered in NSW, QLD, SA or VIC (these are what are classified as the ‘managed states’ which have government run workers compensation schemes)
Why your business needs to seriously consider a tailored wellbeing program
We’ve all heard about workplace wellbeing programs but why should 2023 be the year that your business designs or revises a tailored program?
Employee Turnover – the Hidden Costs
Employee turnover has some obvious ‘above the line’ expenditure associated with it, including recruitment, training, and remuneration costs.
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.
Your employees are back from their summer vacation – how do you keep them engaged?
As a business owner, you want your employees to be effective ambassadors for your business.
Modern Awards
A modern award is a document which sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment on top of the National Employment Standards (NES).
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.
Managing behaviour at work functions
It is imperative for employers and business leaders to safeguard the business by setting and maintaining behaviour standards whilst role modelling responsible leadership and professional management
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.
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.
The scrapping of COVID-19 isolation rules – what this means for your business
On Friday 30 September, the National Cabinet announced its decision to scrap mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 cases from 14 October 2022.
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.
