Say goodbye – Victorian employers must destroy COVID-19 vaccination information
By 11 August 2023, Victorian employers must destroy all COVID-19 vaccination information collected, recorded, held and used under the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations 2022 (Regulations), unless the employer is permitted or required under other laws to collect, use, record, or hold the information. The Regulations allowed employers to continue to […]
ReadmoreCourt ruling narrows exception to redundancy pay: what employers need to know
A recent ruling by the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has narrowed the exception to employers’ obligation to provide redundancy pay[1]. This development carries implications for employers, particularly those engaged in labour hire. Failing to keep up with these changes can expose employers to potential breaches of the National Employment Standards (NES). […]
ReadmorePay secrecy laws prevent employer from protecting ‘commercially sensitive’ client list
This article is a follow up to the article that Gadens’ Workplace Advisory and Disputes team published in relation to changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act) as part of the Federal Government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms. The previous article can be found here. The Fair Work Commission has now handed down […]
ReadmoreChanges to Enterprise Bargaining – Genuine Agreement Requirement
This is the third article in Gadens’ series regarding the key workplace changes that commence from 6 June 2023, the article below takes a deep dive into changes to the enterprise bargaining process outlined in our previous piece. Employers will encounter changes to the enterprise bargaining process which started on 6 June 2023, which employers […]
Readmore6 June 2023 deadline looms for Fair Work Act key changes
This article is a follow up to the article that Gadens’ Workplace Advisory and Disputes team previously published in relation to changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) that commence operation from 6 June 2023. The previous article can be found here. Businesses should note 6 June 2023 down as a crucial date in […]
ReadmoreBlowing the whistle on whistleblower protections: is your business aware of its obligations?
Whistleblowing in Australia has seen a rapid increase in attention given past legislative changes following the Royal Commission into the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services industry and recent high profile whistleblower prosecutions in this space. As we go on to discuss below, in late March 2023, former public servant and Australian Taxation Office employee, Richard […]
ReadmoreWorkplace flexibility and parental leave extension – new processes and dispute avenues
As part of the next raft of key changes to take effect from 6 June 2023, the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FWA) have strengthened employees’ right to request flexible working arrangements and an extension of unpaid parental leave. The FWA does […]
ReadmoreReminder to report: modern slavery statements due
Prior to 30 June 2022, Gadens provided an update for businesses required to report under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (Modern Slavery Act). The article (which can be accessed here) set out: what businesses need to know; who is required to report; what is required to be reported; the reporting deadlines; how businesses report; […]
ReadmorePost-Budget 2023 Analysis – Superannuation – Frankly, not creditable
Following on from its previous announcement, the Australian Federal Government has confirmed that from 1 July 2025, individuals with a total superannuation balance (TSB) exceeding $3 million will be personally subject to an additional tax on increases in their TSB at a rate of up to 15%. TSB includes all superannuation held by an individual. […]
ReadmoreAre you meeting your psychosocial obligations?
On 1 April 2023, the Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice 2022 (Code), published by Safe Work Australia, was approved under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) (WHS Act) and became legally enforceable in all Queensland workplaces covered by the WHS Act. The Code comprehensively addresses the process […]
ReadmoreSecure Jobs, Better Pay: Key Dates and Actions for Employers
Since the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 was passed by Parliament on 2 December 2022, several key aspects of the Federal Government’s reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) have already commenced. They include provisions providing for the sunsetting of pre-Fair Work Act ‘zombie agreements’ at the […]
ReadmoreAre you working more hours than you’re legally required to?
The well-publicised dispute involving independent Federal Parliamentarian, Monique Ryan and her former Chief of Staff, Sally Rugg has brought the legal issue of what constitutes reasonable additional hours to the forefront. Many experts believe that this case will open the floodgates to widespread litigation as more Australian employees become aware of their potential exploitation in […]
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