2023/24 Festive Season Public Holidays
After several years in which additional public holidays have been prescribed for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, businesses can breathe a small sigh of relief during the 2023/24 holiday period, with just three full-day public holidays being observed across the whole of Australia, on 25 and 26 December 2023 and 1 January 2024.
Continue reading “2023/24 Festive Season Public Holidays”Third tranche of desired IR changes delayed to 2024
This article contains updates as of 7 December 2023.
In September, the Albanese Government introduced its third wave of proposed workplace law reform to Parliament in the form of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill (see our related article). After having initially been hopeful of securing passage of the Bill this year, the Government’s hopes have been dashed, with the proposed legislation being referred for a Senate inquiry subject to a report deadline of 1 February 2024.
Continue reading “Third tranche of desired IR changes delayed to 2024”Resources to assist employers in meeting “positive duty” obligations
Late last year, the Government successfully negotiated passage of its Respect@Work legislation which enhanced an employer’s obligation to prevent sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace. From 12 December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will be empowered to investigate and enforce compliance with this identified “positive duty” and, to assist employers meeting their obligations, has made available a suite of resources.
Continue reading “Resources to assist employers in meeting “positive duty” obligations”$25K compensation for “embarrassing” sex harassment dismissal of veteran worker
A baker with 23 years of “unblemished service” has been awarded the maximum compensation for his summary dismissal over a complaint of sexual harassment, with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) unable to be satisfied the misconduct occurred despite appreciating the employer “felt they had to react strongly to the very serious allegation”.
Continue reading “$25K compensation for “embarrassing” sex harassment dismissal of veteran worker”Lawful, reasonable roster changes did not force resignation: FWC
An early childhood educator has failed to convince the Fair Work Commission she was constructively dismissed when she resigned in the face of proposed changes to her hours which would have been “an inconvenience” to her, with Deputy President Bell instead finding she ceased work voluntarily in response to roster changes which were “well-founded and reasonable” and permitted by the prevailing enterprise agreement.
Continue reading “Lawful, reasonable roster changes did not force resignation: FWC”Casual unintentionally dismissed when removed from pool after six-week absence
A casual Direct Care Worker (DCW) has won the right to pursue her general protections dismissal claim, with the Fair Work Commission confirming her employment was terminated at the initiative of the employer when she was “dropped off the pool” after being absent for six weeks for a non-work-related back injury.
Continue reading “Casual unintentionally dismissed when removed from pool after six-week absence”Christmas shutdown basics for Employers
The rules for employees taking leave during a temporary closure for Christmas/New Year were standardised from May 2023 onwards. If your business is taking a break over Christmas, you can check-in on your obligations to your employees over the Festive Season with our updated post here.
More Changes to IR Laws Unveiled
On Monday 4 September 2023 the Albanese Labor Government introduced to Parliament the third tranche of reforms to workplace relations laws. Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, said the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill was about “closing loopholes that undercut pay and conditions for workers.”
2023 Ekka (Show) Holidays for South-East Queensland
Looking for something a little more up to date? Try our news post of 2 July 2025.
Government puts casual conversion back on the agenda
In July, IR Minister, Tony Burke, announced plans to seek refinement of existing casual conversion provisions – introduced by the Morrison Government in 2021 – to make conversion to permanency even easier for eligible casuals who seek it, whilst also pursuing a “practical definition” of casual employment, wherein it will be necessary to ask, “what’s really going on”, in order to accurately define the employment relationship.
Continue reading “Government puts casual conversion back on the agenda”OUR SERVICES
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