polices and procedures Archives - MDC Legal

Overtime and Reasonable Additional Hours

Changes to modern award annualised salary clauses

Posted by | Articles, employment contracts, modern award, modern awards, polices and procedures | No Comments

By Mark Cox, Director and Renae Harg, Senior Associate 

New annualised salary clauses for a number of modern awards come into effect as of 1 March 2020. The annualised salary clauses increase the obligations on employers in relation to modern award annualised salaries, including notifications to employees, increased record keeping obligations and reconciliation of the amounts paid.

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Single touch payroll

Single Touch Payroll: Implementation Deadline Passed

Posted by | complaince, pay rates, polices and procedures | No Comments

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.

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MDC Legal Workplace Update – Spring 2019

Posted by | Articles, complaince, confidentiality, Contracts, disciplinary action, HR Advice & Support, polices and procedures, Policies and Procedures, sexual harassment | No Comments

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.

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social media for employees

High Court Rules on Social Media and Free Speach

Posted by | misconduct, Performance Management & Misconduct Investigations, polices and procedures | No Comments

By Mark Cox, Director and Madeleine Brown, Associate

High Court rules in favour of employer in social media freedom of political communication case

Comcare v Banerji [2019] HCA 23

A public servant sacked for publishing 1000’s of anonymous tweets criticising her employer has failed in her bid to challenge her dismissal as a breach of the implied freedom of political communication. Read More

employee confidentiality agreement

Breach of Confidentiality: What You Need to Know

Posted by | Articles, polices and procedures | No Comments

By Renae Harg, Senior Associate and Lauren Wright, Lawyer

Employment Law: Breach of Confidentiality – what you need to know ­

Increases in technology have made it easier for employees to transmit their employer’s confidential information. Confidential information such as client lists, supplier information, pricing and financial arrangements, employee arrangements and business strategies can be invaluable to a business. Read More

Smoking in the workplace

Save Your Health and Your Business With a Smoking in the Workplace Policy

Posted by | Occupational Safety and Health, polices and procedures | No Comments

By Renae Harg, Senior Associate and Miette Xamon, Law Clerk

Smoking in the workplace can damage more than your health

Smoking is becoming progressively less common in Australia and has decreased by 36% since 2001. However, 2.5 million Australians (or 1 in 7 aged 15 and over) still smoke daily. While smoking is slowly being suppressed, it is still a significant occurrence in many workplaces and can raise certain challenges for employers. Do employers have to accommodate smokers? Or are employers allowed to implement strict no-smoking policies? Read More

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? New Year resolutions for employers in 2019

Posted by | casual staff, Contracts, HR Advice & Support, modern award, pay rates, polices and procedures, Policies and Procedures, training | No Comments

By Joanna Knoth, Senior Associate and Renae Harg, Senior Associate

Now that the festive season is over, employers can focus on the year ahead. What New Year’s resolutions are you making for your business?
Below are some practical New Year’s resolutions that may minimise your employment law risks.

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