Despite some "confusing" and "contentious" elements, employers and workers have commended the Fair Work Act's coronavirus provisions, saying they have been vital to keeping businesses afloat and jobs in place.
More than 50 employers self-reported underpaying employees in the past year, the Fair Work Ombudsman's annual report shows. Meanwhile unfair dismissal claims have spiked in the Fair Work Commission, and general protections claims are now more common than EA approval applications.
Working groups have largely agreed on the problems with Australia's industrial relations system, but the solutions will require some compromise, IR Minister Christian Porter has flagged. Also in this article: JobKeeper 2.0 regulations; new rulings on workplace misconduct, contract breaches and investigations; and more.
The Fair Work Commission plans to extend the COVID-19 flexibilities in 71 awards until the end of March, in the absence of opposition to the move. Also in this article, Western Australia gets paid pandemic leave; and more legislation news.
With JobKeeper 2.0 changes coming into effect later this month, an employment lawyer has answered questions from HR Daily Premium members about the new regime.
Most of employers' early confusion surrounding JobKeeper has been resolved, but recent rulings indicate a lack of understanding about what constitutes fairness during restructuring and workplace changes, an employment lawyer says.
An employee's bid for interim orders restraining her employer from disciplining or dismissing her until her stop-bullying application is finalised has been rejected on appeal.
The Fair Work Commission is proposing to insert work-from-home and other flexible arrangements into modern awards. Also in this article: which industries have responded most smoothly to COVID; and the next step for remote working teams.
It's time for the legal system to recognise "quasi-independent" workers who are neither contractor nor employee, an employment lawyer says in this Q&A on casuals and contracting compliance.
There is "understandable" confusion about pandemic leave among employers, a lawyer says. Also in this article: an update on JobKeeper changes currently before Parliament, and more.
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.
