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Guardianship Orders in NSW: A Clear Guide for Families
What Is a Guardianship Order? A guardianship order is a legal arrangement made by NCAT that allows someone—usually a family member or the Public Guardian,... -
The Employee Choice Pathway: A New Era for Casual Employment in Australia
You will be forgiven if you see workplace law in Australia as a labyrinth that only a law degree could work through. Compared to many... -
Unfair Dismissal Cases for High-Income Earners: Dismissing Executives & Senior Employees
The Significance of Modern Awards in Unfair Dismissal Cases for High-Income Earners - the recent case of Oliver Walsh v Indesco Pty Limited The... -
Unfair Dismissal Applications – Time Is Of The Essence
If you have recently been dismissed from your employment, you may want to know whether you have any grounds to bring a claim. The answer... -
The ‘Rise’ Of Legal Action Against Bakers Delight
As more and more employers find themselves in trouble for underpaying their employees (often inadvertently) it is crucial for your business to assess your employee... -
Constructive Dismissal & ‘Forced’ Resignations. Think Twice Before Resigning
If you are experiencing issues at work, it is important to seek legal advice before you resign, particularly if you wish to make a Fair... -
How To Manage Employee Misconduct
Whether you are a professional HR manager or have been charged with managing people, at some point, you will be tasked with solving difficult problems.... -
How To Manage Employee Performance?
One of the most difficult aspects of being an employer or a manager involves managing the poor performance of an employee. It can be a... -
Workplace Sexual Harassment – What Are Your Responsibilities?
Building upon the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Safe Work Australia has released national guidance material for businesses on preventing workplace sexual harassment.... -
Tips From A Lawyer For Effectively Collecting Outstanding Debts For Your Business
You're running a business and you're busy. The last thing you want to deal with is chasing down money that's owed to you. Outstanding... -
Practical Tips For Employers When Making A Role Redundant In Australia
Are you doing redundancy “for the right reasons”? Much like a contestant on The Bachelor, redundancy needs to be genuine in order to stand... -
Workplace Parties – Do You Know How To Stay Off The (Christmas Party) Naughty List?
We all like parties… But they can also lead to headaches. A relaxed atmosphere, alcohol, hot temperatures and people wanting to let off some steam... -
You’ve Received A Show Cause Letter. Now What?
What Is A Show Cause Letter? If you receive a show cause letter from your employer, it is important to take it seriously. A show... -
What Business Owners Should Consider When Thinking Of Hiring A Human Resource Consultant
Do You Really Need A Human Resource Consultant? If you are thinking about whether or not to engage a human resource consultant and have never... -
Workplace Bullying and Harassment in the Advertising industry. “Mad Men” no more?
Marketing management consultancy firm, Trinity P3, has recently made headlines in advertising circles by announcing they will ask all advertising agencies wanting to work on... -
Tips On How To Handle A Workplace Complaint
When a worker makes a complaint to their employer, the consequences of mishandling that complaint can be significant. Mishandling a complaint can result in a... -
Employment Contracts – Do You Really Need A Non-Compete?
What are non-compete clauses? Non-compete clauses are often included by employers in employment contracts, but it's less clear whether those employers have any intention of... -
Removal of Superannuation Contribution Threshold
From 1 July 2022, employers need to make super guarantee contributions to eligible employees’ super funds regardless of how much an employee is paid. This... -
Natural Disasters and Workplace Rights
The Fair Work Ombudsman has updated its guidance to employees and employers with respect to workplace rights noting the widespread flooding in NSW. We recommend... -
Award and Minimum Wage Increases
The new financial year is the perfect time for your business to review employee remuneration and make sure you are paying employees in accordance with... -
Fair Work Commission Highlights Obligation Of Employers To Investigate Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a problem that has been highlighted in Australian media in recent years, with high-profile cases leading to penalties and reputations being damaged.... -
Have you applied for your Director Identification Number?
Director Identification Numbers are required to be held by directors of Australian companies, in a measure aimed at preventing fraudulent or false director identities and... -
Container detention – how to avoid an unexpected bill
Container detention has always been one of those costs that those transporting goods by sea can fall foul of. However, in today’s climate, when transport... -
Freight Increases – Time to review your contracts
As the world takes steps to emerge from the pandemic, the international transport industry remains under pressure with congested ports and other factors contributing to... -
Posting on a Facebook account out of hours justified terminating an employee’s employment -Conrad John Corry v Australian Council of Trade Unions T/A ACTU [2022] FWC 288.
An employee at the ACTU, Mr Cory, posted on his Facebook account “out of hours” what was said to be offensive material. The ACTU terminated... -
Border Force Warns Publication ≠ Compliance.
Is your Modern Slavery Statement Compliant? So, you've submitted your statement by the deadline and it's now on the Register. You might be feeling pretty... -
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.
The conversation about whether employers should be able to force their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been floated for a few months now... -
You’ve left your Modern Slavery Statement to the last minute. What now?
The deadline for Modern Slavery Statements for reporting entities operating on the Australian Financial Year is fast approaching. All Australian businesses, or entities carrying out... -
When can an employee dispute an employer’s decision to stand down the employee?
Sections 524 and 525 Fair Work Act 2009 (the ”Act”) provide that an employer may stand down an employee during a period in which the... -
5 Myths about Independent Contractors
For years businesses have put themselves at risk by incorrectly engaging contractors and unfortunately many commonly held and incorrect myths about contractors live on. Businesses... -
Fair Work Ombudsman Update: Underpayment Cases
Food & Retail Over $1.2 million was recovered from food and retail workers Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $1,212,727 in... -
New Year, New Issues. Can employees be required to take a Covid Vaccine & more!
While 2020 is finally over, the pandemic is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and the introduction of the vaccine and return to... -
Maritime transport & modern slavery – are you overlooking a key link in your supply chain?
Most global supply chains rely on maritime transport. Over 90% of the world’s trade is carried by sea, and sea transport remains the most cost-effective... -
Modern Slavery And The Construction Industry
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s has partnered with KPMG Australia to produce a guide on Modern Slavery targeted at the Construction and Property Industry (the... -
The task of preparing your company’s modern slavery statement has fallen on your desk. What now?
Start by downloading this simple fishbone diagram that we've created to help you get started with your Modern Slavery Reporting journey. Identify other key stakeholders... -
Changes to the Federal Industrial Relations Framework.
Changes to the nation’s Industrial Relations framework as part of the strategy to ‘regrow’ jobs lost due to COVID-19 are expected to be put to... -
Employer Risk Alert: Criminalisation of Wage Theft In Queensland
Queensland Criminalises Wage Theft Queensland has joined Victoria in criminalising wage theft by enacting the Criminal Code and Other Legislation (Wage Theft) Amendment Act 2020... -
Modern Slavery in Australian operations and supply chains – the hidden risks.
Following on from our recent post on the Modern Slavery Legislation, we discuss the importance of not overlooking supply chains here in Australia. With the... -
Modern Slavery Legislation. A global problem now also a reputational risk for Australian businesses.
According to the Modern Slavery Index, globally there were 40.3 million people in slavery in 2016. As part of its response to this global issue,... -
WorkPac v Rossato – the “casual” employee double-dipping decision.
The Federal Court ruling has everyone talking, and what you need to know! On 20 May 2020, the Federal Court handed down a 277-page judgment... -
COVID-19 Series: The “New Normal” – Work Health & Safety Considerations for Employers and Employ
On 8 May 2020 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the National Cabinet's three-stage plan to ease restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It... -
COVID-19 Series – JobKeeper Payments for Sole Traders & the Self Employed
The Federal Government’s JobKeeper Scheme has been made available to eligible Sole Traders, the self-employed and their employees. This article briefly discusses eligibility and how... -
COVID-19 Series Self-Managed Super Funds and Commercial Property
Whilst Commercial Landlords have been provided guidance on what they can and cannot do during these uncertain times, there are an estimated 600,000 commercial properties... -
COVID-19 Series – Safe Harbour Provisions. Are you protected?
With the economic impact of COVID-19 reaching almost all sectors of the Australian economy, directors should take time to consider their obligations in relation to... -
Covid-19 Series – Rental Support for NSW Residential Landlords and Tenants
New Temporary Rental Support Measures On Monday 13 April 2020, the NSW Government announced a raft of new temporary rental support measures for residential landlords... -
Important amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 – What you need to know!
On 8 April 2020, the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus (Measures No. 2) Bill 2020 (the “Bill”) was passed by both houses of the Federal... -
Mandatory Commercial Tenancies Code during Covid-19
The Code will be legislated and regulated in each State and Territory in Australia and will apply in circumstances where a tenant is an eligible... -
COVID-19 – What Do Businesses / Employers Need to know?
The current spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation and it begs the question, how prepared are we? If you’re unsure about what this... -
Debt collection in Australia and tips to help you protect your business from illegal phoenix activity
You’ve probably heard of it and may even have a basic understanding, but what is illegal phoenix activity, and how can you avoid your business... -
Masterchef Maestro hit with public shaming & a large bill for underpayment of wages – A warning
The Fair Work Ombudsman has entered into a Court-Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with George Calombaris’ MAdE Establishments following their self-disclosure of wide-scale underpayments in 2017, initially... -
The Fair Work Ombudsman Announces New Targets – Is your business on the list?
The Fair Work Ombudsman announces 2019/2020 priorities and increase in enforcement measures. The Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker has announced the Ombudsman’s priorities for the... -
Importing products into Australia? Thermomix – A case for implementing policies and training in your business
The case of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Thermomix in Australia Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 556, offers some key takeaways for companies that sell... -
Pest and Building Reports: Are they worth the paper they’re written on?
Buying a house is a daunting experience. On top of locating a suitable property, and securing finance, would-be purchasers usually undertake any number of inspections... -
The right to disconnect from work: Comparing the French experience with Australia
On 31 December 2016 French Parliament passed law aimed at preserving employees’ right to disconnect from work outside of working hours. Under the new legislation,... -
Are you sitting on a ticking time bomb? Employers and HR Managers – take heed!
The NES, or National Employment Standards (“NES”) are a set of Australian employment entitlements that must be provided to all employees. They are the minimum... -
The Dirty Underbelly of the Cleaning Industry
The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured back-payments for an underpaid employee in the cleaning industry, and has put measures in place to ensure that the... -
The Workplace – Where Does It End?
The Night Caretaker - Company vicariously liable for ‘on call’ sexual assault – STU v JKL (Qld) Pty Ltd & Ors [2016] QCAT 505 An... -
When bullying at work becomes a criminal offence
A Victorian Electrician has recently been charged with workplace bullying under Brodie’s law. For those who have not heard of Brodie’s law, the legislation was...