Category Archives: News and Articles
Abandonment of Employment: Your Obligations as an Employer
When abandonment of employment takes place within your organization, you may think it’s a clear cut case… think again.
It’s a common issue that an employee does not show up for work when expected. Maybe they’re sick? Maybe they forgot to adhere to the Company absence policy and call in? Maybe something urgent came up on the way to work? Usually, these non-attendance situations can be handled pretty easily and efficiently if Continue Reading
Employment entitlements during natural disasters or emergencies
If an employee cannot attend work due to a natural disaster or emergency, or if an employer has to temporarily close, employees may have entitlements under their Award or Agreement.
If no such entitlement exists, the Fair Work Act 2009 includes provisions which enable employers to stand down employees, without pay, where they cannot usefully be employed during a natural disaster or emergency. Continue Reading
New On-the-Spot Workplace Health & Safety Fines
Recent amendments to the QLD Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 include the introduction of 18 new infringement notice offences for key risk areas such as asbestos, hazardous chemicals and construction work.
The 18 new offences are eligible to be become infringement notice offences (PINs), commonly known as ‘on the spot fines’ under the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014. Continue Reading
How much should you pay your staff?
Below are some common questions companies ask in relation to employee wages and conditions:
- * What are the industry rates?
- * Can I employ and pay staff fixed amounts for set tasks?
- * Do I have to pay penalties when agreeing to flexible working arrangements?
Our advice is, before employing a new staff member or agreeing to any changes in an employees working arrangements or conditions, you should always refer to Continue Reading
Is your business SuperStream compliant yet?
The ATO has announced that it will extend the SuperStream deadline for small business until 28 October 2016.
The ATO will not be taking compliance action against small businesses who miss the 30 June deadline and will continue to work to support them to get SuperStream ready.
What is SuperStream?
Employee superannuation guarantee contributions must now be sent electronically to super funds. Options include using a SuperStream compliant payroll system (such as Xero or MYOB), Continue Reading
New High Income Threshold & Fair Work Information Statement
Following the decision by the Fair Work Commission to increase minimum wages by 2.4% on 1 July 2016, the High Income Threshold will now increase to $138,900 per annum.
An employee covered by the Fair Work Act earning more than the high income threshold is generally exempt from Awards and from unfair dismissal. Continue Reading
New Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Dob In Service’
Employers, business owners and managers beware!
If you are not sure where you stand in relation to your employees pay, conditions and entitlements now would be a good time to find out.
The new Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Anonymous Report’ function allows anyone to notify the agency of potential workplace issues via their website without having to provide their personal details. Continue Reading
Managing Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace
If a worker commits a negligent or wrongful act while they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the person in control of the business can be held liable for their behaviour unless steps have been taken to prevent it.
In fact, certain high risk industries have legislative provisions requiring the development of drug and alcohol programs to prohibit employees from working while affected by alcohol or drugs. Continue Reading
How technology is making it easy to manage HR & WHS compliance
A large majority of businesses now use the internet to automate their business processes. Managing employee information, contractors and workplace health and safety obligations shouldn’t be any different.
Even if you are a small business there are affordable software solutions that can provide legally compliant documentation and templates and reduce the need to store mounds of paper work in order to meet your compliance obligations, especially if you have a trusted and secure alternative. Continue Reading
Do a HR or WHS Compliance check on your business
- • Are your policies and practices protecting your business?
- • Is your business adhering to Australian legislation?
An audit of your Human Resources and/or Workplace Health and Safety management system or practices will help you avoid penalties and costs by identifying if your business is complying. It will also make you aware of what you need to know and take the stress out of meeting your obligations. Continue Reading
