UPDATE: More flexibility for Paid Parental Leave scheme
In February, we advised clients of the Government’s proposal to allow for more flexibility around the taking of Government-funded paid parental leave. Despite the obvious barriers to Parliamentary business posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Flexibility Measures) Act 2020 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 16 June and came into force on 1 July 2020.
Continue reading “UPDATE: More flexibility for Paid Parental Leave scheme”JobKeeper Disputes round-up
In April, when changes were made to the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) to support the JobKeeper scheme, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) was also attributed new powers to handle JobKeeper disputes. Reportedly, the FWC was flooded with more than 200 applications by the first week of May, but only around 25% of claims fell within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Although roughly 60% of early JobKeeper disputes were withdrawn because they fell outside of the new jurisdiction, the trend of claims being lodged that the FWC does not have the power to determine has continued unabated.
Continue reading “JobKeeper Disputes round-up”Minimum Wages To Increase By 1.75%
The Fair Work Commission has decided to increase minimum wages by 1.75%, raising the national minimum wage by $13 per week to $753.80.
Unions and Employers Battle It Out Over Wage Increase
In submissions made to the 2019-20 Annual Wage Review, employer groups have argued for no increase to minimum wages while unions have asked for a 4% increase from July 2020.
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IR System Not Up To Scratch: PM
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described Australia’s industrial relations system as not fit-for-purpose, retreating to tribalism, conflict and ideological posturing.
WorkPac Fails in Bid to Have Employee Declared a Casual
A full Federal Court has ruled against labour hire company, WorkPac, finding that a ‘casual’ black coal mining employee was not a casual employee and therefore entitled to be paid for leave taken during his employment. The decision follows a similar case (Skene) of 2018, also involving WorkPac, which caused significant concerns among employers.
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First JobKeeper Ruling Goes Against Worker
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down the first decision dealing with a dispute in relation to JobKeeper with the decision going against the worker.
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Remorseful Meatworker Who Pinched Can of Coke Gets $28K for Unfair Sacking
A meatworker who took a can of coke from a vending machine that was left open has won his unfair dismissal claim after the Fair Work Commission (FWC) found his unblemished service, remorse, and past experience of losing money to the machine meant his summary dismissal was unfair.
Continue reading “Remorseful Meatworker Who Pinched Can of Coke Gets $28K for Unfair Sacking”
Fair Work Commission Receives Hundreds of JobKeeper Dispute Applications
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has received more than 200 JobKeeper dispute applications over the past few weeks as workplaces grapple with changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 that occurred in early April. See related article here.
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Significant Changes to Fair Work Act to Facilitate JobKeeper Scheme
On 8 April, the Morrison Government tabled the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Bill 2020 which includes changes to the Fair Work Act to facilitate the JobKeeper scheme. The legislation was subsequently passed by Parliament the same day in a late-night sitting of the Senate.
Continue reading “Significant Changes to Fair Work Act to Facilitate JobKeeper Scheme”