Workplace and HR Blog

Manage and prioritise employee wellbeing in the modern work environment The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a spike in concerns regarding the mental health and wellbeing of employees. These challenges were heightened by the rise of the hybrid workplace model which combined remote and in-office work, making it increasingly difficult for employers to navigate around the…

There have been some massive changes in the casual employment landscape, and we are very pleased to keep you all informed. What you need to know in a snapshot Finally… a new definition for casuals – hooray! Small businesses (under 15 employees) don’t need to offer casuals the right to convert to permanent employment, but…

Reminder: Minimum Award wage increase 1 November 2020 for Group 2 awards On 19 June 2020, the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (‘Commission’) handed down its annual wage review decision. As a reminder these were: Minimum wages in modern awards will be increased by 1.75% from the start of the first full pay…

As you may be aware from our recent updates, on the 13th of August 2020, the High Court handed down a decision about the method of accruing and taking paid personal/carer’s leave under the National Employment Standards. The High Court found that the entitlement to 10 days of personal/carer’s leave is calculated based on an…

Coronavirus – to test or not to test? That is the question. As an employer you are legally obliged to contain the health and safety risks presented by COVID-19 infection in the workplace by seeking to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of: your workers (employees, contractors, volunteers); and third parties…

 Jobkeeper payments will continue from 28 Sept 2019 to March 2020 at reduced rates From 28 Sept two fortnightly payments are available $1200 (for eligible employees working over 20 hours as at Feb 2020) and $750 (for those under 20 hours per week) Eligibility will be assessed quarter to quarter, so you need to compare…

To the surprise of many employer and industry groups and despite particularly challenging macroeconomic circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic (including an anticipated fall in Australian GDP by up to 8%) and a significant increase in unemployment –  The Fair Work Commission’s Minimum Wage Panel (Panel) has increased the National Minimum Wage, together with all…

Staff returning to work after COVID-19? Things to consider Key Points: Understand your health & safety responsibilities Conduct a Risk Assessment (free sample Risk Register template) Engage staff in the return to work (RTW) process It seems that Australia might just be returning to normal (or a new normal) and returning to work after Covid-19 sooner than…

COVID-19: JobKeeper amendments to Fair Work Act Recently Federal Parliament passed legislation to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) for some items relating to the JobKeeper scheme. In short these are: Subject to consultation obligations and reasonableness requirements, employers may give three different types of directions to employees called a JobKeeper Enabling Direction (JED): reducing…

Pandemic Leave and Annual Leave at Half Pay: 99 Awards Varied 9 April 2020 Today the Fair Work Commission have varied 99 modern awards (full list at the end of this article) to insert a new Schedule – ‘Additional measures during the COVID-19 pandemic’. This provides an entitlement to unpaid ‘pandemic leave’ and the flexibility…