The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has recently consulted with the NRA regarding the first phase of the Workplace Basics Campaign, a national campaign focusing on small business employers and their compliance with fundamental workplace obligations. As part of this first phase, Fair Work Inspectors will be contacting around a thousand employers in multiple industries across […]
Written by Victoria Hansen, Senior Workplace Advisor, and Lindsay Carroll, Legal Practice Director In a decision made last week, the Fair Work Commission terminated the collective agreement of a yoghurt shop chain that had been in operation for nearly 14 years. This decision highlights how much of an impact termination of an old instrument can […]
The following article is posted here for NRA members who operate in New Zealand. The article was originally published by NRA Partner, Positive People. This year New Zealand retailers are expecting to see a significant shift in the employment legislation landscape, and recent announcements signal the start of these changes. The following changes have been confirmed: Trial […]
The National Retail Association (NRA) has today urged Senate crossbenchers to support the federal government’s push to cut company tax, predicting the move would spark an increase in entry-level employment for young people. Legislation is currently before the Senate that seeks to reduce the rate of tax paid by all corporations from 30 per cent […]
Part 1 of our Modern Award Series – How to work out which modern awards apply in your business By Alex Millman and Emma Treherne, NRA Legal With 122 modern awards covering most industries, it can sometimes be a mind-boggling exercise to work out which one applies to your business. The problem is, you can’t […]
SkillsIQ is conducting a national survey to look at workforce and skills issues and gain your feedback. All stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey and have your say. The data collected will be collated and provided to the relevant Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) and used to inform the development of the 2018 Industry Skills […]
There are 2.1 million people with a disability, of working age, in Australia. The reality is that education and employment outcomes for people with disability are well below the general population. In fact, barely half of this group is participating in the workforce. And of those who aren’t in the workforce, but go on to complete […]
The National Retail Association has demanded the Senate stop moving the goalposts on employment, saying constant threats of disruption to Fair Work arrangements were a massive disincentive to employment. The Senate is scheduled to vote this week on Labor Party amendments which would knobble the independent umpire Labor set up to management workplace relations under […]
The NSW Department of Industry are currently holding a series of Feedback to Stakeholders Forums – Changes to the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act and what it means for your business. On 13 September, the NSW Parliament amended the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001. The changes will mean better liaison between RTOs and employers around Training Plans, […]
Small business owners will be worse off Retailers demand Parliament override Commission decision Marginal seats campaign to target MPS who accept Commission verdict Not really. In fact, the National Retail Association fully accepts the decision of the Fair Work Commission in relation to today’s 3.3 per cent increase in the minimum wage and Modern Awards, […]
The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016 received Royal Assent in September 2016 and the changes will streamline the way employers report some tax and superannuation information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). When employers pay their staff, the employees’ salary or wages and PAYG withholding amounts will be automatically reported to the ATO. Employers will […]
Don’t miss out! Remember that Queensland employers have an additional incentive to hire local young people this festive season. As announced in early November, the Queensland Government is offering a offering a $20,000 kick-back for regional businesses who hire unemployed youths as part of their Back to Work ‘Youth Boost’ Program. The offer applies to […]
IMAGE The National Retail Association has succeeded in its application for a one-off exemption for major stores in regional Queensland to trade on the Boxing Day public holiday this year. In a judgement released today, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission ordered that stores may trade between 8am and 5pm on the official boxing day holiday. […]
The National Retail Association (NRA) welcomes the reappointment of Senator Michaelia Cash as the Minister for Employment in the re-elected Turnbull Government. We view this as a very clear signal that the Government intends to pursue the industrial relations agenda for which it received a mandate at the election. We’ve mentioned previously the importance of […]
As an employer there is a lot of grey area when paying employees and whether paying in cash is legal. Surprisingly too many, employers who pay employees wages through cash is actually a legal practice in Australia, however, there are requirements that must be met. The term ‘cash-in-hand’ is however considered illegal as this phrase […]
First impressions are critical and this goes for employers not just employees. In the age of flexible work arrangements and millennials who change jobs nearly as often as they change their iPhone’s, it’s important companies are making a good impression to potential candidates as they are vetting you just as much as you are vetting […]