BIG ‘IR’ change in 2021. Here’s what you need to know.

No-one can argue that COVID-19 hasn’t dramatically changed the working landscape for many businesses… sometimes not for the better! However, one of the positive things to come from the pandemic was agreement that a much-needed shakeup of Australian Industrial Relations (IR) laws was needed to make it easier for businesses of any size to navigate a complex awards system. So it was great to hear that on 9 December 2020, the Australian Government introduced its Industrial Relations Reforms – Supporting Australia’s …

Backpay above award payment

Paying above the award? Do it right the first time.

You’ve worked hard to make sure you’re competitive by paying your people a good wage for the work you need them to do and for your industry. Perhaps to the point that you pay a higher flat rate so you also don’t have the stress of constantly calculating overtime and all those confusing allowances? So it’s a bit of surprise one day to find that you’re still liable for back pay on overtime and allowances when a disgruntled employee asks …

Christmas shutdown

Christmas shutdowns…two steps to avoiding the ‘naughty list’

You’ve had a great year and the Christmas decorations seem to have been in the shops…well… just a tad early this year. Like organising who will host the family Christmas lunch this year, you know this means it’s time for you to start also planning the Christmas / New Year shut down for your business. Or perhaps you need to plan working through for your customers (e.g. like many in the hospitality industry for example)? Either way, this crazy time …

casual conversion

Casuals going permanent. What do you mean it’s the law?!

Picture this… one of your casual employees has asked to see you tomorrow morning to discuss wanting to go permanent. They really caught your attention when they mentioned something about you ‘have to let them because they heard on the news last night that all casuals can now go permanent if they ask‘. Given the sometimes complex and varied changes in our industrial relations systems in Australia, you can be forgiven for being on the backfoot with this question. However, …

Why do SME businesses need human resource (HR) services?

In the same way that all business owners are in the business of sales and marketing – all business owners with staff are in the business of human resources (HR). Why do we say that? It can cost up to 50% of a team member’s salary to replace them if you don’t recruit the right person first time around – yep, that’s $35,000 for someone on $70,000 Wages are the single most reported cost pressure for WA businesses – so …

3 (employment) things you need to know before selecting your company structure

In your business’s lifetime, there may come a point you think about changing your business structure. If you’re thinking of becoming a Pty Ltd entity, or making any change that changes which systems of industrial relations apply to your business, there are some things to considering at the planning stage 1) There are two industrial relations systems that apply in Australia The national system – managed by the Fair Work Ombudsman – covers Proprietary Limited companies – that is, Pty …

Casual conversion fair work

Casual right to become permanent

***** Important Note***** As at 1st October 2018, the Fair Work Commission have approved the Model Clause relating to casual conversion rights and obligations for award-covered employees. These changes take affect across the remaining industries not already covered by these provisions. Read our updated article HERE. **************************   For those of us who love staying on top of the latest HR news, it has been hard to miss the major changes that the Fair Work Commission announced following their 4-year …

An HR basic which could save your business money

Did you know… there are two systems of workplace laws in Australia and using the right one could save you money and headaches? Generally speaking, if a business is set up as a “Proprietary Limited company” – that is, as a Pty Ltd entity which hasn’t offered shares to the general public – then staff fall under the national employment system. This is managed by the Fair Work Ombudsman (www.fwo.gov.au). But if a business is set up as a sole …

Have you updated your overtime and shift rates yet?

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) regularly publishes updates to aspects of National System workplace laws. In case you missed it, in December 2017, the FWC published its final decision relating to the treatment of overtime rates and other entitlements in some modern awards. These changes centred on part time and casual employees and took effect from the first full pay cycle commencing on or after 1st January this year. Broadly speaking, the changes introduced overtime rates for casual employees in …

Domestic Violence Leave is on its way

Domestic violence can have catastrophic effects on families and often goes well beyond this to affect both the general community and employers (and fellow employees). Although it can affect both genders, it disproportionately affects women. In their 4 yearly review of modern award– Family and Domestic Violence Summary of Decision , the Fair Work Commission (FWC) cites that family and domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and ill-health among Australian women aged between 15 and 44. It …