Our HR Blog.

Do you use independent contractors? Could you be accused of sham contracting? What happens if you get caught? There is little doubt that regulators such as the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) have been placing increased focus on sham contracting in the last few years. If you are successfully prosecuted for contravening the sham contracting provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), you could face a heavy fine. As a result, it would be wise to check you are not breaking the rules around retaining ...

Do you employ foreign workers? Are you playing by the rules? After the publication of the independent review into the 457 visa program in April 2015, the Federal Government announced that the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) would be playing an increasingly prominent role in monitoring and enforcing compliance in relation to overseas workers. This has proved to be accurate, and a number of recent cases demonstrate that the FWO is placing particular emphasis on ensuring that businesses comply with e...

The silly season isn't far away, which means that the office Christmas party, an event where things can easily get out of hand, is just around the corner. How can you, as an employer, ensure that your employees get to relax and have a pleasant time at work functions, such as the Christmas party, without offending, upsetting or harassing their colleagues? Can you dismiss an employee who behaves badly on that night, especially when they've been told what kind of conduct is expected of them? ...

In early August 2015, the Productivity Commission released its draft report into the workplace relations framework. This review is a result of the Federal Government's promise to conduct a detailed inquiry to ensure that Fair Work laws benefit everyone and, so far, the Productivity Commission has received 255 submissions. Astonishingly, there has not been a truly independent review of Australia's industrial relations system for decades, and this inquiry is the most significant of its type si...