By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Miette Xamon, Law Clerk
Single Touch Payroll is a change to the way employer’s report employee tax and superannuation information to the ATO
The deadline for small businesses to start using the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll (STP) was 30 September 2019. The new system eases reporting requirements for employers to help ensure compliance with wage and superannuation payments.
Its Spring! Although it’s still brisk and blustery out there – in the weather and many of our clients’ businesses – with some ongoing workplace issues this year being ensuring the correct classification of workers as either employees or independent contractors, permanent or casual engagement, and new developments in domestic violence leave entitlements and casual conversion rights.
By Mark Cox, Director and Gemma Little, Associate
Key parental leave employer obligations explained
An employee has requested to work on a part-time basis on return from parental leave. Or a workplace change has resulted in an employee’s position being removed while they are on parental leave. As an employer, what are your obligations? This article outlines the key obligations an employer has while an employee is on, and when they return from, parental leave. Read More
By Renae Harg, Senior Associate and Gemma Little, Associate
Exploitation of vulnerable workers by your franchisee or subsidiary could see you liable
As any entrepreneur knows, there are legal requirements and responsibilities that are part of running your own business. But did you know that as a franchisor or holding company you have additional responsibilities for ensuring compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), and that you could be liable for your subsidiaries’ or franchisees’ breaches of the FW Act? Read More
By Gemma Little, Associate
Keeping employment records is your responsibility as an employer
Everyone knows that employers must keep employee records, right? Apparently not. Some employers have been caught out because they have either not kept adequate employee records, or not kept employee records at all. Read More
By Mark Cox, Director and Renae Harg, Senior Associate
Accessorial liability: if you are aware, you can be held liable
Company directors, human resource managers or other managers and accountants can be held accountable for contraventions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). You need to be aware of the requirements under the Act and not turn a blind eye to breaches of the Act. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, ‘Accessorial liability provisions allow us to hold anyone involved in a contravention accountable, even if the business has gone into liquidation.’ Read More
By Mark Cox, Director and Lauren Wright, Lawyer
Employer required to pay thousands in compensation to casual employee
A recent decision handed down by the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has resulted in heated discussion regarding long term casual employee rights. In WorkPac v Skene, despite being termed a ‘casual employee’ by his employer WorkPac, Mr Skene was found to be a permanent employee and awarded compensation (including interest) in lieu of annual leave entitlements. Read More
By Mark Cox, Director and Miette Xamon, Law Clerk
With the flexibility of information technology, working from home is easier than ever, and more popular for many, being associated with greater overall job satisfaction.
By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Madeleine Brown, Associate
Even the most well managed work Christmas parties sometimes don’t go to plan. We highlight below how to deal with the aftermath if things go wrong.
By Renae Harg, Senior Associate and Lauren Wright, Lawyer
WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131
The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has rejected WorkPac’s argument that the “industrial meaning” of the term “casual employee” has been incorporated into the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) for the purpose of the National Employment Standards (NES).
By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Lauren Wright, Lawyer
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) recently conducted an audit of businesses throughout the eastern states of Australia which found that 72% of the businesses had breached workplace laws.[1] The audit resulted in the recovery of $471,904 for 616 workers across the 234 businesses audited. The most common breach was an underpayment of hourly rates, followed by non-existent or inadequate employment records.
By Mark Cox, Director and Ruth Collins, Lawyer
It is a common misconception amongst employers that a senior position title and high income can exclude an employee from being covered by a modern award. Not so. Instead, employers must look to the principle purpose of the position the employee was performing to assess whether it is covered by the classifications of roles covered by the award.
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