The Fair Work Commission's landmark casual conversion ruling has implications for all organisations that engage casual labour, and its circumstances would likely have "tripped up" many employers, according to a lawyer.
An employer has to convert a casual employee to permanent part-time employment, after a landmark ruling on the Federal Government's new 'employee choice' provisions.
A major review has largely rejected arguments that the Closing Loopholes reforms have had "unintended consequences" for employers, however it recommends that clearer guidance should be developed as a priority, to reduce uncertainty and complexity.
What defines a contingent worker remains "as clear as mud", according to a lawyer, who says employers must nonetheless step up their compliance efforts in line with increasing regulator activity.
The Fair Work Commission has rejected arguments that it wasn't appropriate or fair to make 'same job, same pay' orders for more than 2,000 workers, in a major ruling on the provisions that will add about $66 million to the affected employers' wages bills.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
