Category Archives: News and Articles
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
Employee Entitlements Increasing from July 1, 2023
As we approach the halfway mark of 2023, it’s important for employers to stay informed and proactively adapt to the changes of the ever-evolving landscape of labour laws and regulations.
From 1st July 2023, some of these changes will include:
Minimum Wage and Award Increases
Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work
The Code of Practice for managing psychosocial hazards comes into effect in Queensland tomorrow, 1 April 2023. Similar requirements are already in place in other states, including NSW & WA.
The QLD Code of Practice will apply to all employers, including small business.
Psychosocial hazards include situations that increase the risk of work-related stress which can then lead to psychological or physical harm. This can stem from: Continue Reading
SUPERANNUATION RISING TO 10.5%
As of 1 July 2022, the Superannuation Guarantee that an employer must pay will increase from 10% to 10.5% of an employees’ ordinary time earnings.
In addition, the current $450 minimum monthly threshold for superannuation contributions will cease for all employees aged 18 years and over. This will require employers to make superannuation contributions to eligible workers regardless of their monthly pay. Continue Reading
Unpaid Pandemic Leave Extended
The entitlement to unpaid pandemic leave under Schedule X in 74 Awards has now been extended from 31 December 2021 until 30 June 2022 by the Fair Work Commission .
What is Schedule X?
Schedule X is a temporary schedule in some awards. It gives eligible employees: Continue Reading
A Big Warning for Aussie Employers
There are record levels of people changing jobs in most markets. In the US, its probably one of the largest movements of talent that they have seen in living memory.
A mass exodus in March 2022 is expected to happen in Australia, so now would be a great time to evaluate your existing workplace flexibility arrangements, rewards and recognition programs. Continue Reading
