Recent changes to rosters and overtime in the Retail Award
Starting on or after the 5 July 2024, the Fair Work Commission made the following changes to the General Retail Industry Awards 2020.
Pay your employees correctly or risk extensive penalties!
A baby and children’s retail outlet in Victoria, Baby & Kids Pty Ltd, has been investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman after receiving a request for assistance from a worker.
Safety Inductions – Plan carefully or pay a fine!
Big Bell Gold Operations Pty Ltd in WA was recently sentenced for failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment at its Bluebird gold processing plant in February 2020.
Are you paying too much for your Worker's Compensation Policy?
In the current financial year, Victorian businesses were faced with an unprecedented hike in their workers compensation policy premiums.
Be aware of penalty rates and pay accordingly!
Penalty rates are higher pay rates that employees need to be paid for working particular hours or days and are dictated within Modern Awards. Employees may be entitled to a penalty rate when working.
Minimum Wages have increased – has this been implemented in your business?
As we have previously advised, on 1 July 2024 rates of pay were increased following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
Avoid hefty OHS penalties by ensuring your plant is safe and without risks to health
There was a recent prosecution in Victoria relating to a rubber supplier (The Elastomers Pty Ltd) who were fined $450,000 as a worker was killed in May 2021 when a blockage on the rubber production line was being attended to.
Under-skilled middle managers suffering burnout due to inefficient or non-existing training
Employers have been urged to create proper onboarding programs for new managers, and give them the skills to manage up, with a large proportion of new middle managers being unprepared for their responsibilities and experiencing burnout.
Follow The Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) – Better To Be Safe Than Sorry!
In 2022, a Melbourne carpentry business hired Built Tech Hoardings to modify entrance gates at a work site.
What Are Fair Work General Protections? – You Must Let Your Employees Ask Questions About Their Employment Or Workplace If They Have A Concern Without Detriment!
The Fair Work Act gives all employees protected rights at work and these are known as ‘general protections’.
Pay Slips and Pay Cycle
Fair Work has imposed rules on employers regarding employee pay slips. A breach of these rules can result in Fair Work Inspectors issuing an infringement notice to employers, or in more simple terms, a hefty fine.
Parental Leave
Every employee in the National Workplace System is covered under the National Employment Standards (NES) in the Fair Work Act.
Recent Fair Work Commission Decision – Aged Care Workers
The Fair Work Commission has made a recent decision to increase the average wage of aged care workers by 23%. The increase applies to direct care employees working in aged care.
The Right to Disconnect Bill – What does this mean for your Business?
The Right to Disconnect Bill which was passed last week will come into effect in the coming months once Royal Assent has been received.
Impacts of Hot Climate Conditions on Work, Health and Safety in Australia
In Australia, workers in many outdoor industries are frequently exposed to hot ambient conditions, as most parts of the country experience hot summer and frequent heatwaves that can last for a week or longer.
Maintenance Pleas Ignored by Company in the Farming Industry
A worker at Agrigrain Pty Ltd will be paid damages after a machine had exploded in his face.
Fatigue Management System Failure – Manager Jailed After Four Death
An Operations Manager at Connect Logistics Pty Ltd, Cris Large, was sentenced to 3 years in jail after four deaths at work. In April 2020, Mohinder Singh was driving a Connect Logistics truck and fell asleep at the wheel, consequently killing four police officers.
IMPORTANT UPDATES YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING THE CLOSING LOOPHOLES BILL
Superannuation is now an entitlement under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act as of 1 January 2024. As such, please note the following:
Get Fair Work off your Back – Pay your Employees Correctly or Risk Penalties!
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to a carpentry business in Victoria’s South Gippsland region after forming a belief that a young full time apprentice carpenter had been underpaid minimum wages during his employment between July 2019 and June 2021.
Sexual Harassment at Work – A Case Study
In August 2023, a former employee of Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd who worked as an electrician, lodged an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission.
