Published 14 February 2016 With the holiday season behind us, many businesses will start the process of hiring new employees to fill positions that have become vacant over the past few months. There are legal risks involved in any recruitment process but with it brings the potential to add talented new employees into the organisation….
Author: Brian Powles
Parental Leave – the truth about ‘double dipping’
The ALP’s Parental leave scheme, enacted by the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth), was the result of a 585 page report from the Productivity Commission. It was not a perfect policy by anyone’s standards, but it was a measured and considered enactment. It has brought us a little closer to current international standards in government funded paid parental…
Legal challenge to Poker Machines not the first
I share the opinion that poker machines are a serious social problem. Research has shown the effects they have had on many people’s lives and families. Unlike the dangers of drinking, drugs and smoking, the negative effects of poker machines rarely result in direct physical harm. Therefore stakeholders, including the state and federal governments, are…
Hospitality and the Penalty Rates debate – are industry groups barking up the wrong tree?
We have spoken a few times this year in general terms about penalty rates, but I wanted to make some specific comments on the restaurant industry. I have advised many restaurants, and have concerns that their industry groups are focusing too much attention on political lobbying regarding Modern Award conditions and penalty rates. I believe the…
8. Consultation about major workplace change
[8—Consultation regarding major workplace change renamed and substituted by PR546288, 8—Consultation renamed and substituted by PR610167 ppc 01Nov18] 8.1 If an employer makes a definite decision to make major changes in production, program, organisation, structure or technology that are likely to have significant effects on employees, the employer must: (a) give notice of the changes to all employees who may…
Internships – are they legal?
When discussing Industrial relations, an issue that has often fallen through the cracks is that of internships. In many sought after and prestigious professions (including law – see my previous post on this here) it has become commonplace to expect prospective employees to give their time to employers without remuneration. Generally, other than in specific…