Latest Employment Law posts

Work Health and Safety (Victoria)

Employment Law

Taking a proactive approach to workplace health and safety is essential for any business. The consequences – both in ethical and legal terms – of businesses failing to provide a safe workplace is simply too high to be ignored. The main legislation that governs a business’s obligation to maintain a safe workplace is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) (‘OHS Act’). WorkSafe is the authority responsible for regulating businesses and enforcing the OHS Act.

Can an employer deduct money from an employee’s pay?

Employment Law

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) provides that an employer can only make a deduction from an employee’s pay in certain circumstances: where the deduction is authorised in writing by the employee and is principally for their benefit; where the deduction is authorised by an Enterprise Agreement or Modern Award; and where the deduction is otherwise authorised by law, order of a court or the Fair Work Commission.

Labour Hire Licensing Scheme

Employment Law

As of 1 November 2019, Victoria’s new Labour Hire Licensing Scheme comes into force. If your business hires workers from another business to work for you, you will need to ensure that they are registered under the Labour Hire Licensing Scheme or otherwise risk facing civil penalties in excess of $500,000.00.

When do you have to pay redundancy?

Employment Law

A redundancy arises when an employer does not require anyone to complete a particular employee’s job. Often, employees whose employment has been terminated on the basis that their job has been made redundant will be entitled to redundancy pay. We list the key situations where redundancies may arise, and situations where you will be required to pay your employees redundancy pay.

Victoria’s new Portable Long Service Leave scheme

Employment Law

Victoria's new Portable Long Service Leave Benefits scheme for the community services, contract cleaning and security industries commenced on 1 July 2019. If you are an employer having employees in any of these three industries, you will need to participate in the scheme on behalf of your employees. Read here for more information.

Newsflash: 2019 Federal Election and the implications for employers and employees

Employment Law

The 2019 federal election promises to be the most significant election for employment and industrial relations since 2007, when Labor defeated the Coalition by promising to wind back the Coalition government's controversial WorkChoices legislation.

What is the Co-Invest Scheme?

Employment Law

The Co-Invest Scheme is a scheme that provides employees and contractors in the construction industry in Victoria with portable long service leave. If you are an employer with employees carrying out certain works, there is a reasonable chance that you need to be making Co-Invest contributions on behalf of your employees.

Changes to the rules for 'flexible working arrangements': Employers take note!

Employment Law

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, some employees have a right to request "flexible working arrangements". This is one of the National Employment Standards included in the Act. Flexible working arrangements can include changes to the employee's hours of work, place of work and job structure (e.g. job sharing).

Unfair Dismissal and the work Christmas Party

Employment Law

In recent years, the Fair Work Commission has heard a number of matters in which drunken employees were dismissed for bad behaviour at their respective work Christmas parties. However, one dismissal was deemed unfair, while in others it has not been determined to be unfair. Read here for more information.

What happens to employees if you buy or sell a business?

Employment Law

If you are buying or selling a business, you will need to decide what is to happen to the business's employees, as Samuel Ellemor explains.

Redundancy: the basics

Employment Law

Unfortunately, too many employers trip themselves up and speed into the redundancy process without a solid understanding of the relevant law and how to best protect their legal interests.This article provides a straightforward explanation of redundancy - what it means, what needs to be considered when making an employee redundant, and the downside of getting it wrong.

Do my employees need Employment Contracts?

Employment Law

As an employer, it is important that you have a professionally drafted Employment Contract for your employees. While there are a number of aspects that are automatically covered by the Fair Work Act or a relevant Modern Award, a number of important areas still need to be addressed and covered in a Contract.

Free Property Law webinar -

Land Development and Joint Ventures

Employment Law

We aim to provide you with proactive and strategic legal and practical advice. Our blog contains interesting and helpful insights on a vast array of topics.

Latest Employment Law posts

Work Health and Safety (Victoria)

Employment Law

Can an employer deduct money from an employee’s pay?

Employment Law

Labour Hire Licensing Scheme

Employment Law

When do you have to pay redundancy?

Employment Law

Victoria’s new Portable Long Service Leave scheme

Employment Law

Newsflash: 2019 Federal Election and the implications for employers and employees

Employment Law

What is the Co-Invest Scheme?

Employment Law

Changes to the rules for 'flexible working arrangements': Employers take note!

Employment Law

Unfair Dismissal and the work Christmas Party

Employment Law

What happens to employees if you buy or sell a business?

Employment Law

Redundancy: the basics

Employment Law

Do my employees need Employment Contracts?

Employment Law

Get in touch