A Message from the CEO: 18 July 2016

The re-elected Turnbull Government has this week shown a dawning awareness of the real challenges confronting the Australian economy,...

The re-elected Turnbull Government has this week shown a dawning awareness of the real challenges confronting the Australian economy, with a number of MPs drawing attention to unemployment and faltering economic conditions, particularly in regional areas. For the retail sector, the difficult trading conditions in some market segments were highlighted...

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7- Eleven, wages and the Franchise Code: The story so far

A recent decision in the Federal Circuit Court is one of the latest episodes in the ongoing 7-Eleven wages...

A recent decision in the Federal Circuit Court is one of the latest episodes in the ongoing 7-Eleven wages saga. Federal Circuit Court Judge, Michael Jarrett, saw fit to impose the largest penalty ever ordered for an action brought by the Fair Work Ombudsman on the operator of 7-Eleven...

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Message from the Chair of the NRA

I am very pleased to announce that the National Retail Association has appointed Ms Dominique Lamb as our new...

I am very pleased to announce that the National Retail Association has appointed Ms Dominique Lamb as our new Chief Executive Officer. Many of you will already be familiar with Dominique, given her previous role as Principal of the Association’s law firm, NRA Legal. In this position she has...

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MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – High Income Threshold Increase in Unfair Dismissal Claims

On Thursday 23 June 2016, the Fair Work Commission announced it would increase filing fees, high income thresholds and...

On Thursday 23 June 2016, the Fair Work Commission announced it would increase filing fees, high income thresholds and compensation caps for unfair dismissal applications. For unfair dismissal claims occurring on or after the 1 July 2016, the high income threshold will be increased to $138,900 and the compensation limit...

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Breakdown after dismissal breathes new life into unfair dismissal claim

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker...

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker was granted permission by the Commission to pursue her unfair dismissal claim, 64 days outside the 21 day statutory limit. Senior Deputy President (Snr DP) Lea Drake considered the worker’s statement...

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Bullying linked to suicidal thoughts

This week saw the National Retail Association facilitate two mental health workshops to help our members identify and manage...

This week saw the National Retail Association facilitate two mental health workshops to help our members identify and manage mental health issues in the workplace. New Australian research has identified that workplace bullying and harassment increases the likelihood of a worker developing suicidal thoughts. These results highlight a growing need...

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NRA staff member highlight – Dominique Lamb

Dominique Lamb is the Director of the NRA’s Legal Division and Principal of NRA Legal. She has extensive experience providing...

Dominique Lamb is the Director of the NRA’s Legal Division and Principal of NRA Legal. She has extensive experience providing industrial relations and employment law advice to a range of small, medium and large businesses across a range of industries. Dominique brings a level passion and motivation to her role which...

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Message from the CEO: 30 May 2016

The media attention surrounding the 7-Eleven chain last year was a wake-up call for the entire retail industry. At...

The media attention surrounding the 7-Eleven chain last year was a wake-up call for the entire retail industry. At the time, the National Retail Association urged all retailers to ensure they understood and were actively complying with their obligations to employees in relation to pay rates and conditions. This week...

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MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Annual Leave Common Issue Decision

On 23 May 2016, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision as part of their four-yearly review...

On 23 May 2016, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision as part of their four-yearly review of the modern awards. Last year the FWC determined model clauses regarding ‘cashing out of annual leave’; ‘excessive annual leave’; ‘electronic funds transfer and paid annual leave;’ and ‘granting leave...

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MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Young Workers at Risk

Young workers have a higher rate of injury in the workplace, according to a factsheet published by the NSW...

Young workers have a higher rate of injury in the workplace, according to a factsheet published by the NSW Better Regulation Division. From 2011 to 2014, over 45,000 young workers were injured while at work. This rate may actually be 6 times higher due to young workers underreporting work...

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Crane Driver’s Artwork Cause for Fair Dismissal

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) declined a former crane driver’s application for unfair dismissal as it found that he...

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) declined a former crane driver’s application for unfair dismissal as it found that he had drawn inappropriate images on documents and shipping containers as well as displayed threatening behavior towards his superiors. An investigation was conducted by the employer into allegations that the employee had...

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Franchises who flaunt employment law put on notice

Franchises have come under increased scrutiny as law firm Maurice Blackburn calls for tighter regulation and tougher laws to...

Franchises have come under increased scrutiny as law firm Maurice Blackburn calls for tighter regulation and tougher laws to force franchisors to account for franchisees that underpay workers. Maurice Blackburn Employment Principal, Josh Bornstein has said that regulators must do more to prevent “franchisors turning a blind eye to systematic...

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Women and the Australian retail industry

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both...

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both sales, and non-sales roles, according to a recent report prepared by the National Retail Association (NRA). The report highlights the significant contribution made by women across the industry and gives particular attention...

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Federal Minimum Wage Set to Increase

The minimum wage for award covered employees is due to increase in July 2016. The Fair Work Commission will...

The minimum wage for award covered employees is due to increase in July 2016. The Fair Work Commission will outline the new award pay rates in a determination to be delivered in June 2016 and we will provide our members with updated Wage Summaries shortly after. Employers must make sure...

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Does your business have a plan for managing parental leave?

All Australian employees are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for their employer for a least 12...

All Australian employees are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for their employer for a least 12 months: before the date or expected date of birth. Parental leave entitlements may include: • Maternity leave • Paternity and partner leave • Adoption leave • Special maternity leave • A safe job and no safe...

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IR Update: Damages of $100,000-plus awarded to employee after unfairly dismissed for “set-up” misconduct

A director at ANZ has been awarded $110,000 in damages for being unfairly dismissed for serious misconduct. The Bank...

A director at ANZ has been awarded $110,000 in damages for being unfairly dismissed for serious misconduct. The Bank alleged Mr Bartlett had amended a confidential internal email and mailed it to a journalist at the Australian Financial Review. Mr Bartlett’s claim was previously dismissed by Justice Adamson in a...

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