GL Insights
New Year, New Will 2020!
A new Will may not be the first thing on your new year’s resolution list, however, it is very important to consider. If you do not have a Will or your circumstances substantially changed in 2019, the fresh new year is a good time to organise your estate planning. An outdated Will can be as …
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Copyright law in the age of Social Media
Australia’s copyright laws, enshrined in the Copyright At 1968 (Cth)(the Act) are designed to protect original, tangible material. For example, you can protect things like artistic or literary work, articles, photographs, maps, broadcasts and other pieces of multimedia. Despite there being no registration scheme in Australia like there is for trademarks, copyright material is said …
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IoT’s out there! Are you ready?
Carly: How was your run this morning? Jane: How did YOU know I ran this morning? Carly: Don’t you remember? You shared all your health data with me. I get alerts every time your heartrate goes above 120! Jane: I did what?!? Had Jane read the Privacy Policy from the company behind her fitness app, …
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New Law – Broader coverage of the Secure Local Jobs Code
From 7 November 2019, businesses that want to provide services worth more than $200,000 to the ACT Government must have a Code Certificate and Labour Relations, Training and Workplace Equity Plan. From January this year businesses tendering for construction, cleaning, security or traffic management work have been required to meet workplace standards in the Secure …
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NEW Law – Whistleblower legislation
On 13 November 2019, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released its updated regulatory guidelines on whistleblower policies and what it expects a policy to contain. ASIC requires that a whistleblower policy include: detail on who can make a disclosure both internally and externally; the types of wrongdoing that can be disclosed; details on …
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Late unfair dismissal applications
As most people are aware, unfair dismissal applications must be lodged within 21 days of termination. In limited circumstances, the Fair Work Commission can allow a further period if it is satisfied there are exceptional circumstances taking into account: the reason for the delay; action taken by the person to the dispute; prejudice to the …
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Use of an App to record employee’s start and finish times
If you want to make clocking in and out easier for employees, maybe you are considering introducing a mobile App that would streamline the clock in process. But, before you do you should consider the privacy implications and whether your organisation’s policies are up to date. The first thing to consider is the privacy implications …
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Two jobs, One employer = how many employment contracts?
In the recent case of Kroeger v Mornington Peninsula Shire Council [2019] FCCA 2313 (22 August 2019), the Federal Circuit Court of Australia provided useful guidance for employers and employees with more than one job in an organisation. Facts The Applicant was employed by the Respondent in two jobs, as Fitness Instructor and a Customer …
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Boiler plate clause explanations: Joint and several clauses
You’ve probably seen a joint and several clause in a contract before. It reads something like “Each Borrower agrees it is jointly and severable liable for the debt”. Or “an agreement on the part of two or more persons binds them [jointly and not severally/severally and not jointly/jointly and each of them severally]. “Jointly” means, …
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Transitioning from an incorporated association to a public company limited by guarantee
Many not-for-profit organisations are registered as an incorporated association. An incorporated association is governed by the legislation of the State or Territory in which they are registered. However, the other most common structure for a not-for-profit entity is a public company limited by guarantee. Every organisation operates differently and should consider the most appropriate structure …
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