COVID-19
ALERTS in relation to COVID-19
With our frequently changing environment, we will regularly update and alert Employers as information becomes available. Please note that some of the information may no longer be current given how quickly the situation is changing. To sign up, click here.
'COVID-19' Related News
EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Can employers mandate covid-19 vaccination for workers?
Australia is currently experiencing several community outbreaks across the country. Across the nation many restrictions have been re-introduced in recent weeks. Unvaccinated workers working in high risk workplaces can be a significant contributing factor to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. There is also mounting pressure on Federal, State and Territory Governments to mandate COVID-19 […]
ALERT!
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for residential aged care workers
On 28 June 2021, the National Cabinet agreed that at a minimum, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine must be mandatory for all residential aged care workers. This means that across the nation, all residential aged care workers as a condition of working in a Residential Aged Care Facility (‘RACF’), must be vaccinated for […]
EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Modern Award Round Up for 2020
This year has seen a significant number of award changes as the Fair Work Commission (‘FWC’) draws near completion of its 4-yearly review. Award changes have also resulted from the insertion of various schedules into awards to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Award Flexibility Schedules On 8 April 2020 the Full Bench of the FWC […]
ALERT!
Are you up-to-date with JobKeeper 2.0?
The JobKeeper scheme commenced on 30 March 2020 and has been extended until 28 March 2021. The scheme was extended in September by two extension periods for eligible entities meeting the relevant reduction in turnover requirement. The required decline in turnover percentage to satisfy the turnover requirement is: 30% if your turnover is $1 billion […]
EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Covid-19 Award Flexibilities extended in 74 Modern Awards
In April 2020 the Commission of its own initiative varied 99 awards to insert a new Schedule X to provide unpaid pandemic leave and the option to take twice as much annual leave at half pay. Schedule X was to operate until 30 June 2020 (see previous alert). Since April, Schedule X has been extended […]
EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Jobkeeper 2.0 kicks off with new Legacy Employer Provisions
JobKeeper 2.0 takes effect from 28 September 2020 The Australian Government announced the introduction of the JobKeeper scheme in March 2020 to assist employers and employees significantly affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19 (JobKeeper 1.0). Due to renewed concern regarding the economic impacts and the spread of the Coronavirus, the Government announced in July […]
ALERT!
One more week until JobKeeper 2.0 takes effect – are you ready?
The current JobKeeper Payment of $1,500 per fortnight will cease on 27 September 2020 and from 28 September 2020, for those eligible employees and employers, the JobKeeper Payment will be reduced in two stages, and will move to a ‘two-tiered system’. The first reduction will take effect from 28 September 2020, and the second reduction […]
EMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Failed consultation renders redundancy termination unfair; Loss of Jobkeeper factored into compensation
This month we look at a very topical case involving an employer who terminated an employee for redundancy reasons as a result of COVID-19 impacts to the business, and failed in its defence of the subsequent unfair dismissal claim. On 18 March 2020, the employer, a business advisory and accounting business, met with its employees […]
ALERT!
Easing of JobKeeper Wage Subsidy Program
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced on Friday 7 August 2020 that the easing of what had been advised, changed eligibility thresholds for businesses and employees to qualify for the JobKeeper wage subsidy program. The Treasurer’s announcement comes as the significant second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria shuts down major parts of Victoria’s economy. The Government has […]
ALERT!
Temporary Award Flexibility Schedule Inserted into the Real Estate Award
The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has varied the Real Estate Award in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by adding a new Schedule I to apply from an employee’s first full pay period commencing on or after 6 August 2020. The Schedule applies to employees who were employed as a commission-only salesperson as […]