The new definition of 'employee' in the Fair Work Act will likely result in an increasing number of claims by individuals "effectively testing the multifactorial test again", according to a workplace lawyer.
The Fair Work Commission has announced start dates for all the Closing Loopholes reforms, and employers can expect practical guidance over the coming months. Meanwhile among all serious injury claims, those involving mental health conditions have increased at a concerning rate in recent years, Safe Work Australia reports.
As the employment law landscape continues to shift, HR faces a raft of new compliance issues. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to prepare yourself for the year ahead.
The 'right to disconnect' expected to be introduced this week is potentially a "micro intervention" into employers' operations at a time when the focus should instead be on productivity, a workplace lawyer says.
In a Senate inquiry report, Labor and the Greens have expressed their support for the Closing Loopholes No. 2 Bill, subject to adding a new 'right to disconnect', and further casual and gig work amendments. But Coalition members say the Bill will be a "jobs killer".
The Federal Government is set to legislate a new 'right to disconnect' for employees, but details of how this might be implemented are yet to be revealed.
Many large employers are already addressing some of the gender equality indicators they'll need to report on publicly in April, but are "yet to get their head around" how they all sit together, a lawyer says.
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.
