Blog

Extension of probationary periods

24/03/2021

There is a common misconception that probationary periods allow an employer to dismiss an employee for any reason prior to the confirmation of their employment. Similarly, there is a misconception that an employer can extend this period where they are not willing to confirm an employee’s…

Secret Recordings in the Workplace

17/03/2021

Secret recordings may seem like an easy way to safeguard your rights during a disciplinary meeting or a conversation with your boss. However, they come with significant risks that often outweigh any possible benefits.   Secret recording of telephone communications Federal legislation imposes a broad prohibition…

The new casual loading offset provisions explained

15/12/2020

The recent Federal Court decisions of WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2020] FCAFC 84 and WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131 have attracted a lot of media attention over the last six months, particularly around the issue of “double dipping”. They have also attracted…

The new Casual Employment Information Statement

15/12/2020

Most people are now familiar with the Fair Work Information Statement. For those that aren’t, section 124 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) requires the Fair Work Ombudsman to prepare a statement containing information about, among other things, the National Employment Standards, modern awards and…

The new “casual employee” definition explained

15/12/2020

On 9 December 2020, the Minister for Industrial Relations introduced the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 (the Bill) into parliament. Among other things, the Bill seeks to establish a statutory definition of casual employment by inserting a new section into…

The new casual conversion right explained

15/12/2020

The introduction of the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 has brought a number of proposed changes to the rights of casual employees in Australia. One of these changes, which was spruiked by Christian Porter as being a particularly “strong” right…