Introduction COVID-19 resulted in many changes. Knowledge workers working from home (WFH) is probably one of the more enduring and contentious. During COVID, WFH was heralded as a once in a generation change that would give employees the flexibility they need to balance work and life. For employers, it was a two-edged sword. Potential loss [...]
WestmoreJacobs presented an in-person seminar on Managing Ill or Injured Employees on 23 October 2024, exploring common mistakes employers make when dismissing ill or injured employees which may expose them to liability. We discussed practical strategies employers can use to protect themselves from unfair dismissal, general protections or discrimination claims and the do's and don'ts [...]
Following changes to the definition of "casual employee" in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) on 26 August 2024, WestmoreJacobs asks the question whether casual employment is dead, buried and cremated. To register for this webinar, please click the following link. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dnkczj9GTo6KPqJpbmsoVw
Introduction Workplace investigations are often seen as the best (and only) way to deal with sensitive employment matters. This has led to some businesses adopting a “when in doubt – investigate” approach, costing employers many hours in emotionally fatiguing, workplace disruptive, and moral-sapping workplace investigations. While there are no doubt situations in which investigations should, [...]
WestmoreJacobs presented a webinar on Workplace Investigations on 27 August 2024, covering the pros and cons of conducting an investigation and when it is necessary to do one. We addressed whether a workplace investigation should be undertaken, explored the different types of investigations, talked about choosing a workplace investigator and some examples of investigations that [...]
Employment law is complex and ever changing. Mistakes can easily be made, often unintentionally. Unfortunately, these mistakes can leave employers unstuck dealing with significant adverse consequences. In this article we consider a number of cautionary tales in the area of employment law. Contractor or employee? For any business, correctly engaging a worker as either [...]
The recent case of WorkPac v Rossato (“Rossato”) has amplified uncertainty around the definition of casual employment, pending an upcoming High Court appeal. The Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 (“Bill”), introduced by the Federal Government on 9 December 2020, proposes to resolve this uncertainty. Among other things, the [...]
2020 is sure to be remembered as the year where the only certainty was uncertainty. COVID-19 and related challenges have changed countless industries, and prompted sweeping employment law changes at record pace. In our “2020 Wrap-Up” we look back at some of the key developments in employment law in 2020, many of which will remain [...]
Despite characterising the claims as “rapacious”, the Federal Circuit Court has awarded over $1.3 million to a group of former Macquarie Bank wealth advisors for unpaid entitlements. This is notwithstanding the former employees earning significant commissions between 2013 and 2019, many in the millions of dollars. The three related underpayment claims involved over 50 wealth [...]
By now, many businesses will be preparing for reduced JobKeeper payments which start from 28 September 2020. During the first extension period of the JobKeeper scheme, from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, JobKeeper payments will be reduced to $1,200 or $750 per fortnight depending on the hours worked by eligible employees. Payments will [...]
