Articles
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08/05/2012
It’s probably just coincidence, but a number of our clients in recent months have raised their concerns about how their workers’ compensation insurance provider hasn’t handled a particular claim well, and this has cost the employer dearly, either in an employee’s ongoing lost time from work, or by causing an increase in the employer’s workers compensation premiums.
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26/04/2012
The Federal Government, in consultation with the State and Territory governments, have now released model regulations and codes of practice which contain detailed information on specific work health and safety matters such as noise management, hazardous work, high risk work, plant, construction and hazardous chemicals.
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13/12/2011
Paralleling changes in our economy and more decentralised enterprise bargaining over the last 30 years have been falls in the level of union membership.
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12/12/2011
This article is one of three exploring the history of industrial relations regulation in Australia over the last 30 years, to place the changes that have eventuated in the context of the current uncertainty in the world economy and particularly the problems being experienced by Europe. This article focuses on changes in the award system. The other articles look at calls to increase the involvement of Fair Work Australia in arbitrating collective bargaining disputes in the aftermath of the Qantas dispute, as well as continuing declines in union membership.
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12/12/2011
Recent events involving Qantas and its unilateral grounding of its entire fleet have cast concerns around whether we need an alternative mechanism to prevent further instances of such a “disastrous and unjustified” grounding of its fleet.
We have published an article on our specialist sister site, www.enterprisebargaining.com.au, which discusses the issues around extending complusory arbitration of bargaining disputes by FWA. -
12/12/2011
This article examines the issues surrounding employers adopting drug and alcohol testing policies.
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05/12/2011
As employers outside the Mining Industry find the economy tough going - Manufaturing and Retail are really in the doldrums at present due to the high value of the Aussie dollar and the impact of internet purchases - they also need to start factoring in a significant increase in their labour cost base in the not too distant future, after passing of the Federal Government's Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT).
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18/11/2011
A recent case before Fair Work Australia (FWA) highlights the benefit for companies in having a social media and other relevant policies and making staff aware of the content of those policies.
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08/11/2011We have created a specialist site dedicated to enterprise bargaining and enterprise agreements.
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30/08/2011
View our 45 webinar update on the changes to be brought about by the new harmonised national work health and safety laws.
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19/08/2011
This article examines the advantages of conducting an HR Audit.
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19/08/2011If you click on a link and are confronted by a log-in screen, that probably means you have yet to register for our site.
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17/08/2011
Fair Work has recently announced the new higher limit used to determine eligibility of high income earners to take an unfair dismissal action, and also award coverage.
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17/08/2011
In this article we consider some of the statutory limits surrounding the ability of an employer to make authorised deductions from an employee’s wages.
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17/08/2011More examples of what enterprise agreements can't do.
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17/08/2011
There have always been a lot of myths and half-truths around the employment of children across Australia. We look at the facts.
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16/08/2011
This article examines the application of the new Model Health and Safety laws on employers who also engage contractors and other 'workers'.
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10/02/2011
We consider some aspects of the law surrounding the negotiation of enterprise agreements, which might surprise some employers not closely involved in the process recently.
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08/02/2011
During the recent Queensland flood and cyclone emergencies, most Australians - employers included - were quick to offer support to the community and staff. This article provides an update on additional means employers can support their staff, as well as outline their obligations according to legislation.
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08/02/2011
Employers who are sole traders or partnerships and previously excluded from the transitional wage rates under the modern federal awards, are required to pay the modern award rates from 1 February 2011.
