By Cala Ahmed
Major changes to industrial relations occurred in 2022, including the introduction of the much-anticipated Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 and the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022. But it won’t stop here. According to Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke, further industrial relations reforms are set to arrive in the second half of this year.
Burke has recently revealed that now since significant steps in relation to job security and getting wages moving are underway, the forthcoming legislation will be about “closing loopholes that can undercut the principles we put through last year.” It is anticipated that the Labour Government will introduce a Bill which proposes to:
- Require “same job, same pay”.
- Re-define casual employment.
- Regulate the gig economy by setting conditions for “employee-like” work.
- Criminalise wage theft.
- Set “safety principles and minimum standards for long haul drivers”.
- Allow the Fair Work Commission to deal with unfair contract disputes for independent contractors.
- Introduce stronger protections against discrimination.
The Minister has advised that other legislation updates we can expect include:
- The introduction of superannuation payments in the National Employment Standards (NES);
- Stronger protections covering migrant workers; and
- Extending paid parental leave (from 1 July 2023, eligible parents will be entitled to two weeks paid parental leave under the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme, which is set to increase to 26 weeks paid leave by 2026).
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Gauge whether incoming updates to industrial relations are going to catch your business off-guard – book a complimentary Workplace Health Check.
What this introductory HR audit does is:
- Uncover any threats to your company such as a wage theft claim or general protections claim.
- Assess whether your business is compliant with Australia’s complex employment laws.
- Help avoid major issues such as penalties, legal costs to defend your business.
- Protect your business’s reputation.
- Educate you on workplace rules.
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If any information in this article has raised any questions about employment law compliance in your workplace or you have another matter you need advice on, please reach out to our experts via our 24/7 Telephone Advisory Service.
Cala Ahmed is a Senior Workplace Relations Consultant and assists a variety of clients via the Telephone Advisory Service. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Business/Law.