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 …

Employment law and franchises

Taking on a franchise has loads of benefits for starting your first business. Don’t know how to market your product? The franchisor does. How do you compete with multinationals? Franchises act like a cooperative in this regard. But how do you legally hire and fire your team (plus everything else in-between)? Well, from an employment perspective, this is where you do need to understand that you’re still an employer in your own right…albeit franchisors now stand to bear some of …

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 …

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 …

They won’t audit my staff records – will they?

This article is written for national system employers – if you’re not sure which system your business falls under, send us an email and we’ll help you with this. Have you ever wondered what really happens when you find yourself on the end of a Fair Work Ombudsman audit of your compliance with workplace laws? If you’re naughty – or even if you’re just not compliant because you’re uninformed – the likely answer is an infringement of some kind. But what are …