National Day of Mourning
The Prime Minister has declared that Thursday 22nd September 2022, will be a one-off Public Holiday for a National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen.
What does this mean?
Essentially you can either open your business, or choose to close for the day.
If your business closes for this Public Holiday, then you will pay your Staff as you would for other Public Holidays. Usually, Permanent Employees will be paid as per usual if they do not work that day. Casual Employees will not be paid unless they work.
If you are planning to open your business on the 22 September, your Employees will be entitled to Public Holiday Rates. You should check your relevant Award/s, Contract of Employment or Enterprise Agreement to determine whether Employees are entitled to Penalty Rates, or whether some other arrangement can be agreed, such as the substitution for this day with another.
A reminder that the Fair Work Act permits Employers to request an Employee to work on a Public Holiday, provided that the request is reasonable. An Employee may refuse such a request, if the request is not reasonable, or if the refusal itself is reasonable.
For further information regarding this public holiday in Tasmania, visit WorkSafe Tasmania – https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/laws-and-compliance/public-holidays
Minimum Wage Increase – 1 October 2022
A reminder that some Awards in the Hospitality, Tourism and Aviation Industries, wage increases take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1st October 2022.
The delay was because the FWC determined that these sectors had not fully recovered from the pandemic’s economic effects.
These Awards include:
– Restaurant Industry Award
– Hospitality Industry (General) Award
– Registered and Licensed Clubs Award
– Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award
– Alpine Resorts Award
– Also, Awards in the Aviation Industry are increased from 1st October 2022.
As you would be aware, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) approved a 5.2% rise to the National Minimum Wage, while Workers covered by Award Rates will get an increase of at least 4.6%. This increase took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1st July 2022 (excluding some Awards in the Hospitality, Tourism and Aviation Industries, see above). The FWC advised that Award Rates below $869.60 per week will increase by $40. Rates above $869.60 will rise by 4.6%.