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
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 […]
ALERT!
FWC extends unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave at half pay
The Fair Work Commission has extended the entitlement to unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave at half pay until 30 September 2020 in the: Fast Food Award Hair and Beauty Award Retail Award Storage Services Award. This means that Schedule X (which provides these entitlements) which was due to expire on 31 July 2020 will […]
ALERT!
Aged Care Employees to receive paid pandemic leave
The Fair Work Commission has revisited its previous decision not to grant paid pandemic leave for health services awards due to ‘recent developments in the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Victoria’. The Commission has now decided there is justification for at least three health services awards to be varied, by inserting a Schedule […]
ALERT!
Changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker
JobKeeper to be extended by six months – changes apply The JobKeeper Payment is currently due to finish on 27 September 2020, however the Federal Government has announced today the subsidy scheme will remain available for eligible businesses (including the self-employed) and not-for profits until 28 March 2021. The JobKeeper Payment will become two-tiered and […]
ALERT!
Schedule X – Unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave at half pay extended
The Fair Work Commission in April 2020 varied 99 Modern Awards by inserting a new Schedule – ‘Schedule X: Additional measures during the COVID-19 pandemic’. Schedule X provides an entitlement to unpaid pandemic leave and the ability to take twice the amount of annual leave at half pay (additional measures during the COVID-19 crisis). These […]