Unpaid Pandemic Leave – Reintroduced to some Awards
On 8 April 2020, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) made the decision to vary 99 awards as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing Poor Performance and Behaviour
Fortunately, most employees perform their duties well with little need to take corrective action. There are times, however, when an employee is not meeting either performance or behaviour expectations, it is critical to act.
Workers Comp and Leave Entitlements
Workers' compensation laws differ across states and territories. Section 130 of the Fair Work Act 2009 says that employees aren’t entitled to accumulate or take leave during a period of workers' compensation unless the workers' compensation law permits it.
Managing Workplace Injuries
Where an employee is injured at work, the business should take all reasonable steps to assist that employee to recover from their injury and to remain at work, or to make a safe and suitable return to work at the earliest opportunity.
Fair Work Audits
There are specific processes and record-keeping requirements that are set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 and it is important to keep on top of these in case Fair Work chooses to audit your business.
Return to Work (RTW) Program
While the concept of RTW is the same across the country, each state has different legislation and regulations that the parties must comply with, but it is important that everyone involved works together
Recruiting Apprentices or Trainees
If your business is growing and needs to invest in its workforce, you might want to consider recruiting an apprentice or trainee.
Minimum Wage Increase Announcement by the Fair Work Commission effective 01 July 2022
The Fair Work Commission has exceeded the government’s suggested 5.1% increase for the national minimum wage and announced a 5.2% national minimum wage increase to $21.28 per hour or $812.60 per week.
Removing the $450 per month threshold for Superannuation Guarantee eligibility effective 01 July 2022
With effect 01 July 2022 employers will be required to make superannuation guarantee contributions to their eligible employee’s super fund regardless of how much the employee is paid per month.
The Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2022
The increase to base rates of pay has not yet been announced by the Fair Work Commission.
Workcover Premiums
Every business must ensure they have Workers Compensation Insurance to cover all their employees. There are two categories that will effect your Workcover Premium – remuneration and industry.
Increase in Superannuation Guarantee Contribution
Under the current superannuation guarantee, employers must pay superannuation contributions of 10% of an employee's ordinary time earnings when they earn $450 per month before tax. rate will increase up to 12%
It was Sexual Harassment Out-Of-Hours but occurred “At Work”
In a decision made under the Fair Work Commission's (FWC) new anti-sexual-harassment jurisdiction, a deputy president has found conduct that occurred while two workers were driving to and from work, and on out-of-hours phone calls, occurred "at work".
What is an Individual Flexibility Agreement (IFA)
Did you know that if you decide to pay your staff at a higher pay rate than the Award rate, pay more than the Award allowances or alter working conditions but most Awards state that you must have an IFA in place signed by both you and the employee.
Do you know the correct Award Pay Rates you should be paying?
It’s important that you understand which Award/s apply to your business and you need to know as there could be a number of Awards you need to pay your employees against.
Are You Employing an Employee or an Independent Contractor?
The High Court of Australia recently delivered two decisions which decisively hold that in order to determine whether a person is an employee or independent contractor it is necessary to look at the legal rights and obligations agreed under the relevant contract.
Sick Leave for Casuals – What does this mean for Victorian businesses?
The Victorian government has launched a two year trial ‘Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee’ Scheme that will pay sick leave for casual workers. Controversially, the Scheme does not replace the 25% loading provided to casual employees in lieu of receiving paid entitlements.
Probation Periods
A probation period serves several purposes – as an employer, a probation period allows assessment of the employee's fitness and suitability for the position and business. It is also a period of training, coaching, ongoing assessment and possibly at times, time for correction. For the employee, it is a time they can assess whether the position and business are really what was expected and, if not, they have the option to resign.
