Prohibition on Insurance Arrangements for WHS Breaches in QLD
Traditionally, businesses could purchase insurance to cover fines and penalties related to breaches of WHS regulations. However, from 28th March 2024, all persons in Queensland are no longer allowed to get insurance to indemnify themselves against penalties that they might otherwise have had to pay for noncompliance. Continue Reading
Intractable Bargaining
Intractable Bargaining is a new feature of the Governments recent IR Reforms which came into effect in June 2023 and February 2024 and it will have a significant influence on the way enterprise bargaining agreements are now negotiated.
On 12 June 2024, the Fair Work Commission handed down its first intractable bargaining workplace determination. This decision is an essential read for anyone about to commence bargaining.
The “Right to Disconnect” and How to Prepare
From 26 August 2024, employees can exercise the right to disconnect and refuse to respond to contact or attempted contact from their employer (or a third party like a client) outside of their working hours, unless the refusal is unreasonable. Small businesses are exempt from the operation of these provisions until 26 August 2025. Continue Reading
Storing Employee Data: Navigating Australian Privacy Principles
In today’s digital age, businesses, big and small, handle a wealth of personal information, including employee data. In Australia, a business that is covered by the Privacy Act 1988 is required to protect employee information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which outlines specific guidelines for the collection, use and storage of personal data.
To see if your small business needs to comply with the Privacy Act, click here. Continue Reading
VIC COVID-19 Vaccination Information
WorkSafe Victoria have confirmed that pandemic regulations put in place to assist with the collection, recording, holding and use of COVID-19 vaccination information from specified persons expired on 12 July 2023.
Employers who recorded or held COVID-19 vaccination information specifically under these regulations have until 11 August 2023 to destroy that information. Continue Reading
