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Unpacking the Fair Work Act Amendments June 2013. Presented by Kristin Ramsey Associate Director. Session overview. Key areas for amendment What’s next? Recommendations. Key areas for amendment. Family friendly measures – parental leave.
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Unpacking the Fair Work Act AmendmentsJune 2013 Presented by Kristin Ramsey Associate Director
Session overview • Key areas for amendment • What’s next? • Recommendations Unpacking the Fair Work Act Amendments
Key areas for amendment Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Family friendly measures – parental leave • Unpaid parental leave not reduced by special maternity leave • Concurrent leave increased to 8 weeks • Extension of right to transfer to a safe job Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Family friendly measures – flexible work • Expansion of categories of employees who can request flexible work arrangements • Express right to request part time work on return from parental leave • Reasonable business grounds defined: • excess cost • impracticability • inability to reorganise arrangements of other employees • adverse impact on efficiency, productivity or customer service Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Family friendly measures –changes to working hours • Express obligation to: • consult about changes to regular roster of ordinary working hours • provide information about changes • invite employee comment and consider comments • permit representation during consultation • Changes to model award and EBA consultation clauses Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Anti bullying measures • Preventative complaint process through FWC • Jurisdiction accessible by “workers” • Bullying – repeated unreasonable behavior towards a worker that creates a risk to health and safety • FWC has broad power to make orders • Orders enforceable as civil remedy provisions • FWC can refer to WHS regulator Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Modern Awards • New objective to protect penalty rates • FWC to take into account the need for additional remuneration for: • overtime • unsociable, irregular or unpredictable hours • weekend and public holiday work • shift work Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Union right of entry • Meetings and discussions to be held in an agreed place • Where no agreement – default is the place where employees ordinarily take meal breaks • Employer to organise transport/accommodation where otherwise not publically available Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Other amendments • FWC functions • Technical amendments • Transitional provisions Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
What’s next? • Next steps • Further changes? • Award wage and superannuation increases Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Recommendations • Inform management and key employees regarding changes • Review and update policies, procedures & contracts • Conduct training for line managers & other decision makers Unpacking the Fair Work Amendments
Unpacking the Fair Work Act Amendments Presented by Kristin Ramsey Associate Director Kristin.Ramsey@hyneslegal.com.au