Tag: Employment

The Fair Work Commission has released a series of changes following its four-yearly review of modern awards.  The changes deal predominately with the issue of excessive annual leave accrued by employees. Numerous employer bodies sought the changes.  It was noted that prior to the operation of the NES and modern awards, ‘Federal and State legislation […]

In our recent article, we warned employers of the circumstances in which you could take the rap for the sexual harassment or misconduct of employees. Another recent case highlights the need for employers to tread very carefully when dealing with allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. In this case, Employment Services Australia Pty Ltd […]

The hours of permanent employees are predictable. The difference between full-time and part-time employees is the number of hours they work. Both categories of employee receive the same remuneration, annual, sick and long service leave but for the part-time employee, it is on a pro-rata basis. R.P. Emery & Associates also has a ‘Part-time Employment […]

Fair Work Australia will be conducting a nationwide campaign directed at businesses in the building and construction industry. The campaign started in October, 2014. The campaign will involve both:- education and awareness components; and audits of businesses in the industry to ensure minimum rights and entitlements are being met by employers. Education and awareness During […]

With COVID-19 dramatically changing the Australian business landscape, many small and medium-sized employers are finding themselves in unchartered waters. They are having to consider a number of scenarios with regards to their business, such as: restructuring their operations; scaling down their operations; closing down their operations. These are all difficult decisions – and they impact […]

There’s no doubt that text messaging or SMS is a mode of communication that’s gaining popularity in the business sector. But there’s one business transaction that should never be made via text, and that is the dismissal a staff member or termination of employment. Recent court cases have highlighted the risk that employers who give […]

Fair Work Australia have made a decision to increase minimum and award wages by 1.75% and this increase is effective in three stages depending upon the Award Group your employees fall into. Group 1 – From 1 July 2020 Frontline Heath Care & Social Assistance Workers Teachers and Child Care Other Essential Services Group 2 […]

Employers need to ensure that they comply with the strict rules laid down in legislation when dismissing or terminating employees. We’ve put together this brief guide for terminating employees mainly for issues to do with Social Media misconduct although the principles apply across many employment issues. Help to complete the dismissal / warning forms. When […]

Natalie James, the Fair Work Ombudsman addressed the Australian Industry Group National Employment Conference on the 28th November 2013. Each year the FWO answers more than half a million phone calls, receives 10 million visits to their website and deals with 25000 complaints. From all this only 50 matters go to court. In her address […]

A shift worker generally operates under an industry Award or Registered Agreement. Before you attempt to change arrangements of your shift workers, you should first clarify the types of shifts you can direct them to work and any notice obligations for changes, as set out in your employees Award or Agreement. The Award or Agreement […]