#Fair Work
Why Fair Work claims are surging, and AI is a big part of it
Fair Work claims are up sharply, and AI use is a key driver. Gazelle Kalk from Peninsula Australia explains what it means for employers.
Fair Work Commission releases draft flexible working clauses
Employers breathe a sigh of relief as the Fair Work Commission releases draft flexibility clauses that help employers and employees discuss flexible working arrangements during and beyond COVID-19. On Monday, Fair Work Commission president Iain Ross published a “draft award flexibility schedule” outlining the ideas that modern awards could adopt to help SMEs achieve flexible […]
Five tips to ensure your interns don’t sue you
Internships can be a mixed bag. Done poorly and you have an intern twiddling their thumbs or doing work that really should be done by an employee. Done well however, you’ll engage some bright young people with your organisation, gain some diverse perspectives, get some value add work done and build the management skills of […]
New strategy launched to stamp out exploitation of international workers
International students are encouraged to seek free help from the Fair Work Ombudsman following the release of a new strategy aimed at raising awareness of workplace rights among international students. Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James is encouraging international students to speak up if they have any concerns relating to their employment. “We know that international […]
The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 is now in effect
Friday, 15 September 2017 Source: Employsure The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 means there are harsher penalties for serious breaches of employment entitlements and record keeping failures, starting last Friday (15 September). If an employer fails to keep records and an employee claims they have been underpaid, the employer must also prove they did in […]
Should you engage contractors or hire staff? Do your due diligence or put yourself at risk
The question many business owners face is whether to use contractors and freelance workers or to hire staff. There are obviously a number of factors to weigh up before making a decision either way, but with the rise of the sharing economy, businesses are presented with a wide range of employment options, no matter what […]
Are your employees working overtime during the EOFY rush? If so, you must tread carefully
As the 2016-2017 financial year comes to an end, businesses are hastily tying up loose ends in preparation for the new financial year. Often employers can put themselves at risk when pressuring their employees to work extensive overtime to finalise projects, meet deadlines and finish annual reports before the end of the financial year. Employers […]
Don’t let your staff catch you out as you grow
As your start-up begins to grow and take on more staff, you’ll likely run into a few challenges. It’s much easier to keep everyone ‘on the same page’ when there’s only a handful of people in the business. When your workforce balloons to 20, 100 or more staff, that’s when issues emerge. Due to numerous factors, including background, work history, education and personality, each of […]
Fair Work crackdown on unpaid work and internships
Businesses that are uncertain about unpaid work and internship arrangements will be the focus of a new education campaign by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The FWO will seek to clarify the circumstances when businesses can legitimately make use of unpaid workers and interns following a number of recent case-studies in which workers were exploited. In […]
Exploitation claims send Ombudsman to Bundaberg
A team of workplace inspectors is in Bundaberg today to respond to allegations of exploitation of foreign workers on Queensland farms.
Businesses to open Sunday’s following wage case
Restaurant owners have been granted a small reprieve by the industrial umpire, after the Fair Work Commission agreed to slash the Sunday pay packets of some casual workers.
Retailers say they’ll suffer from pay rise
Employers have blasted the Fair Work Commission’s decision to scrap junior pay rates for 20-year-old retail workers, warning the step will hurt smaller operators. There are also claims it may further lift youth unemployment, because the pay will act as a disincentive for retailers to hire from this sector of the labour market. Executive Director […]
Unions take Forgecast director to court for unpaid $2million
The AWU and AMWU are taking legal action against former company director of Forgecast Australia Pty Ltd over $2 million in unpaid entitlements.
Businesses unprepared for new Fair Work legal obligations
One in four Australian SME business leaders say they are not well-informed or adequately prepared for the Federal Government’s new Fair Work industrial relations laws.
Half of companies breaching Fair Work Act
Audits of the Fair Work Ombudsman have found that almost half of companies audited found not compliant with workplace laws, with 62 percent failing in Tasmania.