Today, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ruled that it has jurisdiction to deal with a dispute about an employer’s practices in respect of the wage condition and minimum payment guarantee obligations that arise under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) from the JobKeeper scheme. The FWC determined…
6 May, 2020
Variation to redundancy pay during COVID-19
Two recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decisions provide guidance to employers about the approach to varying redundancy pay during the time of COVID-19. The key takeaways are: the FWC may encourage you to consider alternatives to the termination; the onus is on the employer to establish that it cannot pay…
5 May, 2020
Downloading COVIDSafe…a note to employers
As restrictions around our mobility start to ease, we will likely see more and more employees return to the workplace. At the same time, the Federal Government is encouraging us all to download the tracing application “COVIDSafe”. While it may seem logical that employers have their employees download “COVIDSafe” as…
27 April, 2020
JobKeeper FAQs: eligibility and payments
Vincent Young has compiled a list of FAQs to help employers understand the JobKeeper scheme. If you would like to discuss this further and the implications for your business please contact our Employment + Workplace Relations Partner, Erin Lynch. Erin Lynch, Partner M +61 477 330 202 E erin.lynch@vincentyoung.com.au The contents…
27 April, 2020
JobKeeper FAQs: directions and agreements
Vincent Young has compiled a list of FAQs to help employers who qualify for the JobKeeper scheme. NOTE: The ability to provide these directions and reach these agreements comes from the temporary changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and applies only where the employer qualifies for the JobKeeper…
The Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Act 2020 (Cth) provides for temporary amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to assist those employers who are eligible for the jobkeeper scheme. The amendments provide for the implementation of further flexibility to deal with the impact of COVID-19.…
With things changing so rapidly, you may have missed some recent temporary amendments to legislation and modern awards that have been introduced to provide greater flexibility to employers (and employees) during this time. These changes have come into effect in the last week and impact on the taking of long…
13 March, 2020
Stay or leave: a guide to coronavirus for employers
The employment law team has been assisting clients in traversing the issues that every employer will likely encounter following the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and has developed a quick reference guide. The issues are varied and, in some instances, complex. We encourage you to seek assistance early to avoid…
Changes to the industrial relations system are looming, with the Prime Minister asking the Attorney-General in his capacity as Minister for Industrial Relations to look at the system and the Minister releasing two discussion papers seeking input about the operation of certain parts of the system. The closing date for…
17 December, 2019
Reinstatement win for an employee who tested positive for cannabis
A 64 year old employee with six years’ service has been awarded reinstatement by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The FWC determined that there was no valid reason for dismissal and even if there was a valid reason, the termination of employment was still harsh given the employee’s personal and…