The JobKeeper program will be reviewed next month to adjust for anomalies, misuse, and potential adjustment of its finish date, the Prime Minister has confirmed. Also in this article, the FWO slams big businesses' non-compliance with the FW Act; further changes to EA regulations; and more.
With the Federal Government urging a return to business as usual by July, employers have to consider some important questions about how they'll approach the transition, a workplace lawyer says.
Phasing out the JobKeeper scheme, rather than suddenly ending it, is one of several suggested measures to ensure a smooth labour market recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Fair Work Act amendments to allow the Federal Government's $1500-a-fortnight JobKeeper scheme to proceed have been passed by parliament. Meanwhile the FWC has added pandemic leave to close to 100 modern awards.
The Fair Work Commission has awarded maximum compensation to an employee who was sacked for "misleading" his coworkers and "demanding" to see their payslips.
Qantas is facing an investigation into whether it engaged in discriminatory conduct when it stood down a worker who raised concerns about COVID-19. And the Fair Work Commission is proposing to add pandemic leave and other provisions into a number of awards.
The Fair Work Commission has shown it is open to varying award conditions to help employers retain workers despite drastically reduced business conditions.
Employers across Australia are making difficult decisions about their workforce in light of business conditions deteriorating. Also in this article, Fair Work changes are on hold and the FWO gets more resources; networking challenges in the remote work era; and more.
Among the many Coronavirus-related issues employers are facing this week: unions are 'naming and faming' organisations for their leave responses; leaders must be more inclusive with remote teams; minimum wage timing is in question; and the FWC is minimising face-to-face proceedings.
Underpayments continues to be a hot HR topic. Qantas has committed to backpaying more than $7m; Merivale is facing a $74m class action; Casuals say an underpayments scandal will deter them from applying; and more.
Some employers have successfully stepped up to the task of managing psychosocial safety, but in many other workplaces, initiatives are falling flat. Join us for an HR Daily webinar to understand what's holding back progress in this critical space and how to move forward.
