In late August 2025, new workplace laws came into effect that directly affect how penalty rates and overtime are treated under Australia’s award system. If you employ staff who are covered by modern awards in industries such as, retail, hospitality, clerical, health,...
ReturntoWorkSA: What the 2024 Amendments Mean for Business Owners
From 1 December 2024, significant changes take effect under the Return to Work (Employment and Progressive Injuries) Amendment Act 2024 (SA). These changes strengthen support for injured workers, expand employer obligations, and aim to improve return-to-work outcomes.
Renovation Liability in Company Title Buildings: What Every Board Needs to Know
As a director of a company title building, you’re likely to face this difficult question at some point: “Who is responsible for fixing damage caused by past renovations?”
Can I Swap a Public Holiday? A Guide for Employees
Public holidays are a welcome break from work, but not all public holidays are relevant or meaningful to everyone. You might wish to take a different day off for cultural, religious, or personal reasons. The good news is that you can ask to swap a public holiday for another day, but whether that happens depends on agreement with your employer.
Industrial Manslaughter Laws Now in Effect: What Every South Australian Farmer Needs to Know
From July 2025, industrial manslaughter is officially a criminal offence under South Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). That means if someone dies as a result of unsafe work practices on your property, even a family member, you as a business operator or...
Why Procedural Fairness in Dismissals Matters for Your Business
Avoid costly unfair dismissal claims with a fair and lawful approach. Understand your obligations under Australian employment law and how to manage terminations the right way.
What Parents Need to Know About Workplace Flexibility Requests
For many employees, the biggest challenge isn’t leading a team or closing a deal—it’s managing the juggle of early pickups, unexpected fevers, and term-time childcare logistics. Yet asking for workplace flexibility still feels like a taboo in some businesses.
It shouldn’t be.
Are you a Carer who has been Denied WFH? Know Your Rights & Make a Strong Case
Have you requested to work from home due to your carer responsibilities, only to have your employer deny your request or express reluctance in granting it? You are not alone. Many employees in Australia want more flexible work arrangements but don’t always know the best way to ask for them.
How Individual Flexibility Arrangements Can Benefit Your Business
In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, ‘flexibility’ is a necessity. Employers are constantly seeking ways to balance operational demands with employee needs while staying compliant with workplace laws. One effective tool for achieving this balance is the Individual Flexibility Arrangement (IFA).
A Cautionary Tale About Incorporating Workplace Policies and Procedures into Employment Contracts
Do you know if your workplace procedures and policies form part of your employment agreements with your staff? You might want to check…
The High Court’s recent decision in Elisha v Vision Australia (Elisha) has significant implications for employers who incorporate workplace procedures and policies into employment contracts. Mr Elisha, an employee of Vision Australia, was dismissed following an investigation into alleged misconduct. The investigation process failed to adhere to the company’s own disciplinary procedure, which was incorporated into Mr Elisha’s employment contract.
Navigating Christmas Shutdowns: An Employer’s Guide to Annual Leave
The festive season brings joy, family time, and… the yearly headache of managing the Christmas shutdown. One of the biggest challenges is annual leave. The rules have changed in recent years, and these changes have shifted the power dynamic regarding shutdown leave; importantly, employers can no longer require employees to take unpaid leave over the Christmas shutdown.
Can Your Employer Make You Take Leave This Christmas?
The festive season is a time for family, friends and celebration. But for many Australians, it’s also a time when their employer shuts down the business for a week or two. This can be a great opportunity to relax and recharge, but it can also raise questions about your leave entitlements.
How to avoid unfair dismissal claims if you have a poor performing employee
Underperforming employees can affect the bottom line and negatively impact a workplace culture. They drain management time and energy, lower customer satisfaction and undermine team morale. You may have reached a point where terminating an unsatisfactory team member’s...
Employers and the Privacy Act
As an employer you may already possess or wish to collect personal information about your employees. In an evolving workplace, what information can you legally ask your employees to give you and when can you ask for it? Most importantly, what can you do if an employee...
Wage Theft: Key Takeaways for Employers
The headlines of the last few years have been full of stories about the underpayment of workers, so the introduction of criminal penalties in the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) for employers engaged in the intentional underpayment of wage and other monetary benefits...
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