NEW WORKPLACE HARASSMENT RESOURCES
Safe Work Australia has released a new series of resources to assist workplaces in understanding and responding to their Health and Safety (WHS) Duties to manage safety risks from Sexual Harassment.
Safe Work Australia has made available a detailed Hub of information, including definitions and general information, all aimed at assisting businesses in understanding the risk and implementing appropriate controls. >> https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/workplace-sexual-harassment
Visit the Safe Work Australia links below for the new resources;
– What to do if you are Sexually Harassed at work >> https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-01/What%20to%20do%20workplace%20sexual%20harassment_infographic.pdf
– Workplace Sexual Harassment statistics >> https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-01/Stats%20workplace%20sexual%20harassment_infographic.pdf
ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES TAKING CORRECT BREAKS?
– McDonald’s is facing fresh claims it deliberately denied paid rest breaks to thousands of workers in its own restaurants. The Fast Food Industry Award entitles Workers to a paid 10 minute break if they work 4 or more hours and 2x 10 minute paid breaks if they work 9 hours or more. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association says a Federal Court Case is amongst the largest of its kind launched in Australia’s history, and could affect more than 200,000 workers.
– The Commonwealth Bank is facing claims that it denied 3,000 Workers their entitlement to 10 minute breaks, amounting to $45m in underpayments.
Breaks do matter – it is important that Employers understand how breaks, work in accordance with the relevant Award or Registered Agreement. Failure to comply could result in claims for back pay.
FACTS
– The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.3% for the quarter ending December 2021.
– Over the 12 months to the December 2021 quarter, the CPI rose 3.5%.
– The most significant price rises were for new dwelling purchases by owner-occupiers (+4.2%) and automotive fuel (+6.6%).
– The Hobart CPI rose 2.2% for the quarter, and 4.5% for the year to December 2021.
– Annual pay rises in Private Sector Federal Agreements edged up from 2.6% in the June quarter to 2.7% in the September quarter.
GET IT RIGHT
MYTH: Employers can pay young workers as ‘Trainees’ or ‘Apprentices’ without lodging any formal paperwork.
FACT: Employers must lodge a registered training contract for an Employee, in order to lawfully be able to pay Trainee or Apprentice rates. An Employer cannot pay an Employee Trainee or Apprentice rates just because they are young or new to the job.
IF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER OR ANY OTHER WORKPLACE RELATIONS MATTER, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US.