Blog

As we contemplate the employment landscape and the seismic shifts that have occurred over the past months, it is somewhat sobering to review the headlines and consider what this means beyond the labour market turbulence of the past weeks, as the dust begins to settle. With news of massive job losses, widespread stand downs and […]

Two career experts share a step-by-step guide to convincing your boss to allow you a more flexible working arrangement. If you’re one of the millions of Australians whose ‘office’ transformed into their kitchen table or spare bedroom when the coronavirus pandemic hit, chances are you’ve now adjusted to WFH life. As restrictions ease and deserted offices fill up once […]

As many of us find ourselves in this most unusual situation of homeschooling our children while also trying to work from home, it looks to be more of a long-term, rather than short-term, arrangement… So how exactly are we going to make this work? Our Employee Matters Team has worked remotely since its inception more […]

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Fair Work Commission has made a determination to make temporary variations to 99 Awards. The changes come in response to the Fair Work Commission identifying a regulatory gap between COVID-19 public health and government directives and the protections an employee has under the Fair Work Act. The variations […]

COVID 19 RESPONSE In response to the COVID-19 crisis and  to assist with the implementation of the #JobKeeper scheme, the Australian Government yesterday passed temporary amendments to the Fair Work Act. The focus of attention has been on the Job Keeper payment, introducing wage subsidies which Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter said are  “temporary but […]

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and, in particular to support some of the hardest hit industries, the Fair Work Commission has approved temporary changes to the Clerks, Hospitality and Restaurant Awards. This follows joint applications for these changes made by employer groups and unions. The welcome changes allow employers flexibility in applying a temporary […]

Stand Downs: A Business Survival Tool, But Tread Carefully  The COVID-19 pandemic was a rollercoaster for businesses worldwide, forcing many to navigate uncharted territory. Among the tough decisions employers faced, the concept of “stand downs” emerged as a potential lifeline. But what exactly is a stand down, and when can it be used legally and […]

Yesterday’s introduction of the Australian government’s $130 billion stimulus package, came as welcome relief for many businesses that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the scheme, employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per employee where they meet a set eligibility criteria. Under the Job Keeper scheme, eligible […]

There’s no doubt that advances in technology are changing the way we work. SEEK research reveals that while 2 in 3 (64%) Australians believe their job will exist in 10 years’ time, more than half (56%) believe they’ll need to learn new skills as a result of technological advances. So, how can you equip your […]

In the wake of the global shift towards remote work, businesses worldwide have undergone a significant transformation in their work culture. While the benefits of working from home are plentiful, it is crucial to address the health and safety aspects associated with this new mode of operation. In this blog post, we will explore and […]