Blog

From Thursday 26 March, 2020 the Queensland government has restricted interstate travel which may affect Central Queensland businesses that have interstate FIFO workers. Some key things you need to know are: Interstate arrival restrictions Anyone who arrives in Queensland, eg via air, se..

It is becoming clearer that coronavirus will have major impacts upon Australian businesses and their employees. In responding to the coronavirus risk all businesses need to understand their rights and responsibilities as employers. Employers should stay up to date with Australian government..

Queensland may be facing its worst bushfire season on record, at least until the wet season starts and then we will all have to face the risks of cyclone and flooding! The devastation does not discriminate between businesses and individuals. Many businesses have already experienced the c..

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has today granted a 3% wages increase to award wage workers. The FWC lifted the national minimum wage by $21.60 a week, or 57 cents an hour, to $740.80, or $19.49 an hour. The change will take effect from the 1st July, 2019. The flow on effect to Aw..

Managing “smoko” breaks and the risks arising from smoking in the workplace remains a troubling issue for many employers. Research in 2013 by the Ohio State University established an average cost to employers of absenteeism alone due to smoking breaks of more than $3,000 per annum, without ..

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently dismissed an unfair dismissal claim brought by an ex-employee of a small business that sells bathroom supplies and fittings*. In rejecting the application for unfair dismissal, the Commissioner observed: “It appeared much of the issue for Mr Kh..

On Friday last week the Fair Work Commission (FWC) granted award covered workers a 3.5% increase. The FWC lifted the national minimum wage by $24.30 a week or 64 cents an hour to take effect from the 1st July, 2018. The flow on effect to Awards is a 3.5% increase. For example, t..

The long awaited Labour Hire Licensing Regulation 2018 (Qld) was released last Friday. The Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (Qld) (Act) was passed late last year and requires that a person who provides “labour hire services” in Queensland must be licensed to do so. A person provides “labour hi..

As published in the Daily Mercury on 15 March 2018. IN JUST over four weeks, it will be an offence to provide labour when unlicensed or to engage labour from an unlicensed provider. A breach of this new law carries series penalties, such as fines potentially in excess of $300,000 ..

As published in the Daily Mercury on 15 March 2018. IN JUST over four weeks, it will be an offence to provide labour when unlicensed or to engage labour from an unlicensed provider. A breach of this new law carries series penalties, such as fines potentially in excess of $300,000 ..

A recent decision of the Full Federal Court of Australia may have a significant impact on your business. The effect of the decision is that Queensland employers that have used a “NAPSA” (explained below) to calculate their apprentices’ pay rate have potentially underpaid their apprentices. The e..

Queensland labour hire businesses should be aware of the new labour hire licensing scheme commencing in 2018. Here is the latest information on when the scheme begins to apply and how to apply for a licence. When will the scheme begin to apply? The Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 commenc..

It’s that time of year again – when staff get together to eat, drink and make merry for the Christmas Party. Sorry to be the Grinch, but without appropriate safeguards, this can turn into an employer’s worst nightmare! Whilst social, a Christmas Party is still a work function. Under anti..

The Queensland Parliament recently passed new a new labour hire licensing act, the first of its kind in Australia and many local businesses may be impacted. The Act requires labour hire providers to be licenced and that management are 'fit and proper' persons. There are also signi..

To their own emotional and out of pocket cost, many employers do not understand the ‘minimum employment period’ that applies to their employees… That statement is proven by the regularity of enquiry we receive from employers about how to manage the risks of dismissing an employee whos..

In an important decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the FWC has decided to insert a provision for the conversion of casual employment to full-time part-time employment into all Awards. The decision was part of the FWC’s 4 yearly review of Awards. Some awards already contain a c..

As employment lawyers, we often advise clients about employment restraints. Very often we have to start by correcting some common urban myths… Urban myth 1 is, “Employment restraints aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.” Urban myth 2 is, “You can’t protect your business..