#Fair Work Act
Can my boss make me get rid of my mullet?
Mullets, tattoos, piercings: how much can bosses dictate workplace appearance?
Protecting your SME when an employee leaves
Small businesses and startups face as much risk in employment as larger enterprises but they are often less well-equipped to address these issues. When working in a small business, people tend to form strong personal relationships and employers plan to retain staff. Sometimes, however, businesses need to dismiss staff for a number of reasons. While […]
Companies that offer to freeze their employees’ eggs risk opening ‘Pandora’s Box’, says lawyer
In the United States, it is becoming vogue for companies to pay for female employees to freeze their eggs, with the likes of Apple, Facebook and Google introducing the policy. It’s being sold as a means for women to further their careers, free of pressure to have children at a particular point in time. However, […]
United or divided: when the views of your company aren’t shared by your employees
You may have been told once before that it is not polite to discuss religion or politics at the dinner table, but what about at work? The political landscape is somewhat of a mine field with vast political opinions on all matters of social issues and policy, and most likely your opinion won’t necessarily match […]
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 […]
Uber flashes headlights on employment laws
Well known ride-sharing app, Uber, has been headlining publications globally as its company policies, CEO and business model are being called into question. Uber’s recent transgressions relating to sexual harassment, discrimination, unprofessionalism, bullying, employment structures and a toxic workplace culture in America challenge many Australian employment laws. The issues at hand allow Australian businesses, small […]
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 […]
How maintaining a strong employer brand helps businesses keep good people for longer
Most of what is written about an employer brand is baloney! You can’t fabricate the perfect job or control how people feel about their workplace day by day. And as for creating a workspace to make people feel happy all the time – well, good luck with that. In reality everyone has off days, […]
Casual hours count towards redundancy pay
Australian employees will now have their casual employment calculated towards their redundancy entitlements as a result of a recent Fair Work Commission ruling. The Fair Work Commission recently upheld an appeal made by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union against a decision that allowed engineering and shipbuilding company Forgacs to only calculate the permanent employment period […]
What obligations do SMEs owe employees?
Starting up and successfully running a small business can certainly be overwhelming at times and it is of the utmost importance that you get things right from the very beginning. Your employees are one of your greatest assets, vital in the growth and prosperity of your business. To make the most of this valuable resource […]
When a small business is not a small business
The definition of a small business has been further clarified in legal terms in a decision by Fair Work Australia that could have ramifications for small business owners across the country. The South African owners of a Perth-based garden statue business, Gardens of Italy, were taken to the Fair Work Commission over the alleged unfair […]
Bottle shops caught underpaying staff
Dozens of liquor stores across New South Wales are in hot water for underpaying workers their minimum entitlements.
New bullying laws from 1 January ‘14
From January 1 2014, the Fair Work Act will be amended which will for the first time give employees an avenue to take their workplace-bullying claim directly to the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
Six tips for avoiding unfair dismissal claims
Under the Fair Work Act, if an employee is dismissed in a “harsh, unjust or unreasonable” manner they may be awarded up to six month’s pay by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
FWC rules pornographic emails not always ‘sackable offence’
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ruled that sending pornographic material via work email accounts isn’t cause for an automatic dismissal.
Blame, claims and the rise of litigation culture
Australian business has long had the millstone of workers’ compensation claims around its neck.
A guide to terminations
There are a number of situations where termination can occur, and each situation must be handled carefully to ensure compliance with complex employment laws.
What you need to know about changes to super (part 2)
This is the second instalment of a three-part series about upcoming changes to superannuation.
What you need to know about changes to super (part 1)
As a business owner, you are probably aware that there are some changes planned to superannuation and the minimum requirements paid to employees. However, do you know exactly what they are, and how they will affect your business?
Getting contractor tax obligations right
The cost of getting the classification of contractors wrong is high and anyone with contractors on their books needs to make sure that they’ve been correctly classified for tax, superannuation and fair work purposes.
How to avoid sham business contracts
The Fair Work Ombudsman is cracking down on sham contracting agreements to ensure employers are getting the benefits they deserve. Do you know how to avoid sham arrangements? Follow these tips.
Qantas back in the air after shutdown
Qantas will resume domestic and international flights from this afternoon, after CEO Alan Joyce announced on Saturday all planes would be grounded as a result of ongoing industrial action.
Employers must understand responsibilities under Fair Work Act
Employment Law experts are advising business owners ensure they understand redundancy requirements under the Fair Work Act, given the new wave of economic uncertainty gripping much of the world.
20 things you should know about the Fair Work Act
In 2009 and throughout 2010 the Fair Work Ombudsmen recouped $26.1 million in employee underpayments as a result of the new Fair Work Act (FWA). But a quick Twitter poll revealed many of you are still confused, so this may help…