GL Insights
New and amended employment laws from 1 July 2024
From 1 July 2024 a number of new laws and amendments to existing laws will come into effect.
Serious misconduct and working when mentally unwell
In a recent decision of Mr Oliver Doherty v Defend Fire Services Pty Ltd T/A Defend Fire – [2024] FWC 1444 | Fair Work Commission the Fair Work Commission considered whether a worker who attended work whilst mentally unfit to do so, was unfairly dismissed.
Can you identify a business’s intellectual property?
It is important to conduct due diligence before entering into an agreement to ensure that your organisation is actually getting what it paid for. This is particularly true when it comes to intellectual property which can be more difficult to “see”, “touch” and “hold”.
National Minimum Wage increase
On 3 June 2024, the Fair Work Commission handed down its Annual Wage Review 2023-2024 decision and raised the National Minimum Wage and Award wages by 3.75%. Employers must pay the higher rates of pay from the first full pay period that starts on or after 1 July 2024.
Is a workplace investigation always necessary?
Not necessarily. Whether to conduct a workplace investigation depends on the specific circumstances of the situation and the policies of the organisation. In some cases, issues can be resolved informally without the need for a workplace investigation.
Time for employers to prepare for the right to disconnect
Employers are reminded that the right to disconnect commences in less than three months, with a commencement date of 26 August 2024. Small businesses have an additional six months to prepare.
Why good data governance is important and how to get there
In the landscape of Australian Business, government and not-for-profit, the strategic management of data has become increasingly vital. However, as we see time and time again in data breaches, data can also pose a significant risk to organisations if not properly managed.
Are you a public company wanting to change your auditor?
In Australia, changing the auditor of a public company involves following specific procedures outlined in the Corporations Act 2001 (ACT) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulations. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved.
Digital ID Act passed
The Digital ID Bill passed Federal Parliament in May and will come into force in November 2024. Overall, the legislation aims to give Australians secure and effective ways in which to verify their identify for use in online transactions with government and business.
Can Performance Improvement Plans be bullying?
Employers or any level of management have the authority to take reasonable management action where an employee is not performing to their expected standard of performance. Despite this, the Fair Work Commission has considered whether performance improvement plans (PIPs), or the repeated application of them, could constitute workplace bullying.