Legal

When an employee doesn’t show up to work and is unable to be contacted, termination seems like the next obvious step; however, acting hastily can result in the termination being overturned. Recently, the Fair Work Commission (Commission) held that an employee is entitled to pursue his general protections claim...

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. A French expression, meaning the more things change the more they stay the same, a phrase that seems to sum up Australia’s productivity problem. However, it is hard to be productive when you’re overregulated, constrained, and floating in a sea of...

Redundancy is a complex process that requires careful consideration and planning. Redundancies can be difficult for both employers and employees, and if not managed properly, can result in negative outcomes such as low morale, decreased productivity, and legal implications. To avoid the common pitfalls of a redundancy, it is important...

Victoria Hansen, Industry Workforce Advisor for the retail and personal services sectors has worked with over 50 Queensland small businesses to improve their workforce planning skills and develop workforce plans. These businesses, with the support of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the Workforce Connect Fund...

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) is set to publish the gender pay gaps of large Australian employers with 100 or more employees on 27 February 2024.   Where will the results be published?  WGEA will publish the gender pay gap results for the period of 1 April 2022 – 31 March...

Utilising employees on a fixed term basis is an important tool for many businesses to undertake projects, cover long-term absences, and manage their workforce. However, as of 6 December 2023, new restrictions on the operation and duration of fixed term contracts have commenced, after being introduced as part of...

With the festive sales season in full swing and school holidays around the corner, it is crucial for businesses to check their child employment obligations twice and ensure they are compliant when engaging younger workers during the busy holiday season. While the regulations on child employment vary in each State...

Since the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Act), employers have been grappling with how they can meet their duty to proactively prevent sexual harassment. The Act introduced a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful...

The Albanese Labor Government has introduced the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023  (the Bill) to Parliament which will significantly amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).  The National Retail Association has published a detailed factsheet unpacking the proposed changes in the “Closing Loopholes” Bill that members can access for FREE...

In a further significant development in the industrial relations arena, the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) announced on Friday that it will be reviewing seven commonly used modern awards. The announcement follows correspondence from the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to Adam Hatcher, President...

Yesterday afternoon, the Albanese Labor Government introduced the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (the Bill) to Parliament which will significantly amend the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). The National Retail Association is committed to assisting and supporting our valued members and will be reviewing the Bill and...

In a timely reminder about wage compliance, the Fair Work Ombudsman has recently persuaded a court to hold a director personally liable for underpayments made to staff. This case serves as a reminder that those who make executive decisions that result in contraventions of minimum conditions, may be held...

Since the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Act), employers have been grappling with how they can meet their duty to proactively prevent sexual harassment. The Act introduced a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful...