On 31 March 2020, the Fair Work Commission agreed to vary the Restaurant Industry Award in response to the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequential government restrictions have had on the restaurant industry. A temporary schedule was inserted into the Award to provide some flexibility for employers in relation to the range […]
On 28 March 2020, the Fair Work Commission agreed to vary the Clerks – Private Sector Award in response to the significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employers and employees where this Award has application and coverage. A temporary schedule was inserted into the Award to provide some flexibility for employers in […]
The Federal Government has clarified some key issues relating to the proposed wage subsidy program (‘JobKeeper Payment’). Employers should note that at the time of this Alert, the legislation governing this program is currently being finalised and will come before Federal parliament in the week of 6 April 2020. As a result of lack of […]
The Federal Government has introduced a subsidy program to support both employees and businesses due to the impact of the Coronavirus crisis. Employers should note that at the time of this Alert, the legislation governing this program has not been passed and so the information provided below is general in nature from what is known […]
As the implications of COVID-19 for employers slowly become clearer in some respects (and less so in others), Aitken Legal thought it appropriate to confirm a couple of now generally accepted positions on common questions that some employers are asking. Paid leave entitlements will accrue for permanent employees during stand down If a permanent employee […]
As quickly as the COVID-19 situation changes in Australia and worldwide, so too does the impact of the virus and the government restrictions on employers and their businesses. We will continue to update employers as information becomes available. In this Alert we look at the latest announcements and changes including: the new government restrictions announced […]
These are certainly unprecedented times, employers and employees must work together to manage the risks associated with the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) in the workplace. Measures to reduce the spread will require co-operation and compliance with Federal and Queensland Government (‘Government’) directives and restrictions. We encourage all employers to regularly review the following websites for updates and […]
This is indeed a difficult time for all employers and their employees. It is a time for consideration of all available facts and information. Aitken Legal stresses that your primary sources of information about the COVID-19 health situation should come from the Federal Department of Health and the Queensland Department of Health. With a nationally […]
Are you an employer in the retail industry? If so, you may be affected by recent and upcoming changes to penalty rates under the General Retail Industry Award 2010. From 1 March 2020, penalty rates for casual employees increased as follows: Weekday evenings (ordinary hours after 6pm Monday to Friday) – 140% (inclusive of the […]
The Fair Work Commission’s changes to the annualised wage provisions in 18 awards take effect from 1 March 2020. The changes will also be made to a further 4 awards on a date yet to be determined. These provisions typically replace what had been referred to previously in the Awards as annualised salary arrangements, but […]