a mini-article by Taylah Cooper [Approx 1 min read] Some SMEs struggle to move away from a ‘handshake’ method of deducting from their team members pays – and this could be a problem in 2024. (note: this information applies to national system employers only) What was the deal? Under the Fair Work Act 2009, rules already apply when making deductions from an employee’s pay. For deductions made for the employee’s benefit (like a salary sacrifice to a health fund or …
New caselaw: two steps to avoid SHAM contracting.
The future of the workplace is certainly changing thanks to the global impact of COVID-19 – with some changes easily spotted and already in your awareness. Like the tip of an iceberg, these are widely discussed in media and business groups – from flexible working, skills shortages and changes to the law. Not as obvious in preparing the future of work, and just below the waterline, is the increasing use of freelance or independent contractor (contractor) workforces. We’ve talked about …
To be or not to be (an Independent Contractor)
… that is the question. (thanks to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act III, Scene I for this shameless rip-off!) Script for a beleaguered employer ‘Hi’ says a worker you’ve used on and off now for a while. ‘I’ve been thinking about becoming a contractor and working for you through my own ABN, and well, I’ve taken the plunge and got my number approved!’ they say chirpily and without pause for you to return the ‘hi’. They have, however, caught your attention and so you …
Why you need a written contract of employment
“I don’t need a big contract of employment because my staff trust me and I pay above the industry – so no problems”. In an ideal world, we’d all get along, know and trust what we were entitled to and never have a disagreement that we couldn’t just shake hands on. I like to personally ‘play with a straight bat’ approach to everything we do but unfortunately, the real world doesn’t always like to reciprocate such good faith; which is …