Beat the Heat – Managing High Temperatures in the Workplace
It is now the time of year in Australia where many people are reminded just how quickly the heat can return after the relatively stable and temperate client of late-2022. While the summer time is often seen as a great time to see family and find time for a holiday, the hot weather can bring some […]
Employee Termination: The Key Risks
The end of employment can be a difficult period and overwhelming for the employer and the employee, especially for small business owners with close contact with staff. Employees are quite protected in Australia. Regardless of how the relationship may have ended, there is still the possibility the employee raises a complaint either with Fair Work […]
Working from home: Making it work for employers
Although 2022 has brought new challenges for businesses everywhere, we have thankfully put the worst of the pandemic behind us as we now dive into the ‘new normal’ many of us have heard about in the news and media. Part of this new normal involves working from home being implemented as a new way of […]
Christmas Shutdown: Our step-by-step guide.
With all that is happening in the world right now and all of us slowly beginning to leave the worst of pandemic behind, it can be easy to forget that it is already November and we need to turn our focus towards preparing for the end of the year. This can be a straightforward task […]
Proposed Sexual Harassment Legislation: Increased Employer Responsibilities
The newly introduced Federal Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights amendment (Respect of Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) proposes to put the responsibility on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment. These changes are based on the recent Respect@Work report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins. The most important change is the positive duty to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination […]
The Importance of Workplace Happiness
Covid brought about many changes and disruptions for people, causing many to reflect on their lives, wants and working life. Work-life balance became a huge noticeable motivational factor in the work place even sparking the great resignation phenomena. Many people left jobs, changed careers, questioned their working hours and working conditions. Happiness and peoples needs […]
Albanese Labor Government Family and Domestic Violence Leave Bill 2022 – What it means for your Business
The new Albanese Labor government has introduced a bill that puts into the National Employment Standards (NES) a universal entitlement for 10 day paid family and domestic violence leave (FDVL). It will replace the current NES entitlement of five days unpaid FDVL. This new FDVL is available for employees who need time off work to […]
Unsafe Work Environment, a Deadly and Tragic Affair.
A strong message was sent to employers at the start of this month when we saw a company fined $600,000, by the Melbourne County Court. A conviction was recorded along with the hefty penalty following the avoidable and tragic death by asphyxiation of an apprentice. A metal fabricating company allowed the new employee to […]
Do Employers have to Accommodate Working from Home Requests?
The short answer is “it depends on circumstances” but the Fair Work Commission (June 2022) latest ruling states that it cannot be insisted upon when its reasonable for the employer to have the employee perform their functions and role in the workplace. Any employee can ask for flexibility in work hours and working from home […]
Planning for an end-of-year work function and minimizing the risks
With vaccination numbers increasing daily and lockdown lifting, businesses are starting to consider what an end-of-year celebration may need to look like in 2021. It is expected many will take the opportunity to catch up in person, either on the worksite or by supporting their local restaurants or pubs. Not only are workplaces, and individuals, […]