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.
The enterprise bargaining space is currently quite volatile and will likely remain that way for some time, but certain recent rulings have provided some much-needed clarity for employers.
An employee whose role was made redundant after a bullying complaint has failed to win a stop-bullying order against her employer. Also in this article, the time it takes to approve enterprise agreements has fallen; annualised wage changes are now in effect; and the ILO is considering a new standard for internships.
Costly legal disputes continue to highlight the many risks employers face when managing, disciplining, or dismissing employees while they are absent, injured or incapacitated. Attend this webinar for an up-to-date review of the legal framework applying to workplace absenteeism, injury and incapacity, and lessons from recent case law.
