With the end of financial year fast approaching – can you believe already! – now is the time to do a stocktake of your business, and that includes your approach to Human Resources.
Australia’s industrial relations system is changing, and I cannot stress how important it is that all employers are aware and ready for what’s ahead. The Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 will introduce a string of new civil penalty laws aimed at employers.
This is profound enough. However, perhaps the most significant change will be in the area of workplace bargaining, particularly relating to multi-employer bargaining. That is, to put it simply, employers can be roped into multi-employer agreements without prior consultation or agreement, with the pay and condition terms to be set based on those negotiated with a small number of unionized industry employers.
The government is also seeking submissions around new rules for introduction into legislation in the second half of 2023.
These include:
- Criminalising wage underpayments and reforming civil penalties in the Fair Work Act 2009;
- Same Job, Same Pay provisions proposing those who are hired through labour hire or independent contractors are paid the same full rate as employees hired to perform the same job;
- ‘Employee-like’ forms of work and stronger protections for independent contractors.
- Updating the Fair Work Act 2009 to provide stronger protections for workers against discrimination.
I encourage all employers to get in touch with our employment relations team ASAP so we can help you get ahead of these upcoming changes. Remember IR advice is already a component of your membership, so utilise it!
In closing it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our long-standing General Manager of MTA Institute Paul Kulpa. Paul has been an exemplary leader over the last 12 years and will be deeply missed. Paul, thank you for your contribution, leadership and character and I have no doubt you will be successful in your next venture.
15 May 2023