The retail and fast food sectors are some of the largest employers of junior employees in Australia. However, additional obligations are imposed on businesses engaging employees under the age of 18. While ...

Following the passage of the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Act 2022 (the Act) in November last year, 1 February 2023 marks the day many employees become entitled ...

With the passing of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022, a 12-month timer has begun on all ‘zombie’ enterprise agreements. What is a ‘zombie’ agreement? A zombie ...

As of 1 September 2022, the annualised wage arrangement provisions under the Restaurant Award 2020 (Restaurant Award) and the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (Hospitality Award) (collectively, the Awards) have been tightened, ...

Since our November article here on the Fair Work Commission’s new ‘Stop Sexual Harassment’ jurisdiction, the Federal and some State governments have announced that they will be taking steps to act on ...

Upon commencement of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act), the Fair Work Commission (Commission) was directed to undertake a 4-yearly review of all modern awards to ensure that they were meeting ...

In the recent decision of Fair Work Ombudsman v Delishesco Pty Ltd,[1] the Federal Circuit and Family Court has handed a Brisbane restaurant over $355,000 in penalties for ‘serious contraventions’ of the ...

When disaster strikes and business is suspended or employees can’t get to work, multiple employment entitlements are impacted. In this article, we wrap up some of the most frequently asked questions and ...

In certain circumstances, franchisors can be held legally responsible for conduct of their franchisees that breaches workplace laws under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act). Not every franchise arrangement ...

Following the recent Federal election, the new Labor government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to introduce a raft of changes to workplace laws in Australia. Going into the election, Labor’s ...

Unpaid family and domestic violence leave has been a feature of the National Employment Standards since 2018. Arising from the Fair Work Commission’s 4-yearly review of modern awards, the Australian Council of ...

In the current climate surrounding Covid-19, employers have sought to comply with ever changing health directions, and to safeguard their workplaces, by enacting vaccination policies and requirements. Where some employees have failed ...

This evening, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan will commence, to end on the evening of 1 May 2022. During Ramadan, practicing Muslims will abstain from food or drink, including water, from ...

In March 2021, a construction company was ordered to pay $3,000 to a construction worker for discriminating against him on the basis of his age. As most employers are aware, it is ...

In the recent case of CFMEU v BHP Coal Pty Ltd [2022] FWC 81, a senior member of the Fair Work Commission (Commission) has decided that employers can require workers to provide ...

In a recent decision, the Fair Work Commission has declined the opportunity to exercise its powers under the new anti-sexual-harassment jurisdiction. Commencing on 11 November 2021 the Commission may make any order ...

Heath authorities have warned, and it is fast becoming clear, that the anxiety and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will have drastic consequences for the mental health of Australians. With the ...

In a recent case before the Fair Work Commission, a flight attendant’s employment came to an end due to her refusal to wear a face mask. The case of Watson v National ...

As the holiday season approaches, businesses and their employees are looking forward to relaxing together at work Christmas parties and celebrating the end of another challenging COVID-19 impacted year. However, the festive ...

As of November, company directors in Australia have been given deadlines to apply for Director Identification Numbers. Following recent amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) is now responsible for requiring every director of an Australian company or ...

Australian workforces have certainly not been immune to the impacts of global movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp. In fact, a 2018 national inquiry (National Inquiry) undertaken into sexual harassment led by ...

The ‘Respect@Work’ provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) have been well publicised and have made the news for their establishment of a new, stop sexual harassment jurisdiction in ...

The Fair Work Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has more than doubled its use of compliance notices over the last 12 months. The watchdog reported that in the financial year of 2020 to 2021, it ...

Independent contractor and workplace consultant, Vitality Works Australia Pty Ltd (Vitality Works), and NSW government-owned corporation Sydney Water (Sydney Water), have each been held jointly liable for sexual harassment after displaying a ...

The key compliance date of 27 September 2021 for employers to meet new ‘casual conversion’ requirements is fast approaching. This is the deadline for compliance with the latest changes to the Fair ...

The Qantas Group (Qantas) has announced that it will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 31 March 2022. For frontline staff, that date is even sooner, at 15 ...

In July this year, the Fair Work Commission halted an attempt by the Retail and Fast Food Workers’ Union (RAFFWU) to force Coles Supermarkets Australia to the bargaining table for a new ...