2023 Easter (& Other) Public Holidays – Eastern States
With the first quarter of 2023 rapidly drawing to a close, employers are reminded that all FOUR days across the fast-approaching Easter weekend will be observed as public holidays in Queensland, NSW, the ACT and Victoria. Different arrangements may apply in other states and territories.
Continue reading “2023 Easter (& Other) Public Holidays – Eastern States”FWC overhauls annual ‘shutdown’ provisions in Modern Awards
Prior to Christmas, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its decision in the long-running review of annual shutdown clauses, determining to vary 78 Modern Awards to include a model clause governing the taking of annual leave during a temporary business closure. The decision comes despite the dissenting view of one Commissioner, who fears a resulting influx of annual leave disputes.
Continue reading “FWC overhauls annual ‘shutdown’ provisions in Modern Awards”Refinements to Paid Parental Leave Scheme from 1 July 2023
Earlier in March, the Albanese Government successfully secured passage through Parliament of the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Bill, which will make small refinements to the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Scheme from 1 July 2023, ahead of more significant amendments scheduled for 1 July 2024.
Continue reading “Refinements to Paid Parental Leave Scheme from 1 July 2023”Government pursuing more IR changes in 2023
On the back of the Albanese Government’s Secure Jobs legislation, which passed through Parliament prior to Christmas, Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, has flagged that the second tranche of IR changes will seek to insert a right to superannuation in the NES; clarify the application of Fair Work Act protections to temporary migrant workers; and, provide stronger access to unpaid parental leave so families can share work and care responsibilities.
Continue reading “Government pursuing more IR changes in 2023”Employer disillusioned with FWO investigation slapped with thousands in fines
A Perth real estate agency that was deeply critical of the investigative process adopted by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in response to a former employee’s claim for unpaid notice of termination has been slapped with nearly $20,000 in fines by the Federal Court, despite the employer belatedly correcting the underpayment from 2019, which amounted to just $2,700 (plus superannuation).
Continue reading “Employer disillusioned with FWO investigation slapped with thousands in fines”FWC confirms Casual employee was dismissed when hours “reduced to zero”
A casual hostel worker has won the right to pursue his general protections dismissal claim, after the Fair Work Commission dismissed the employer’s jurisdictional objection that there was “no dismissal”, finding that the act of having his hours “reduced to zero” made it clear the casual “would no longer work for the business”.
Continue reading “FWC confirms Casual employee was dismissed when hours “reduced to zero””Worker Sacked for Deleting Work Phone Data Wins Job Back
A community services worker dismissed for deleting data from a work mobile phone in breach of her employer’s policy has won reinstatement after the Fair Work Commission (FWC) found the employer’s policy manual was too complex and failed to properly alert employees to their responsibilities.
Continue reading “Worker Sacked for Deleting Work Phone Data Wins Job Back”
Changes to Paid Parental Leave from July 2023
The federal parliament has passed changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme aimed at supporting women’s workforce participation and helping dads and partners take time off work to be with their children.
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Sunsetting of Zombie Agreements
Workplace agreements made before 2010 that remain in operation, known as ‘zombie agreements’, will automatically ‘sunset’ on 6 December 2023 under legislation passed by the Commonwealth parliament. This means the agreements will cease to apply to anyone after that date.
Court Fines Employsure $3 Million for False Advertising
Workplace relations consultancy Employsure has been ordered to pay a $3 million fine over online advertisements which falsely claimed its services had government sponsorship or approval.
Continue reading “Court Fines Employsure $3 Million for False Advertising”
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