Small businesses can now access an easy-to-read timeline of upcoming industrial relations reforms, as Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth urges entrepreneurs to acquaint themselves with significant changes to employment rules.
The FWO on Tuesday publicised a simple guide to recent and upcoming legal changes, stemming from both tranches of the Closing Loopholes package, and elements of the earlier Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation.
The changes promise to significantly change how many small businesses and startups operate.
They include everything from changing casual worker conversion rights and a new definition of employment, through to a legally-binding right to disconnect.
Maximum civil penalties are also set to rise, and small businesses need to learn when they will (or won’t) be shielded from new wage underpayment penalties.
Employers, employees, and independent contractors must understand their rights and obligations under the changes, said Booth.
“The changes substantially increase the penalties which a court can order for non-compliance with a range of workplace laws, by up to five times for non-small business employers,” she said.
“This sends a clear message and expectation — employers must invest the time and resources to meet their new legal obligations.
“We are here to help them get it right.”
Small businesses with further questions or concerns about the upcoming changes can access the FWO small business portal, or contact the FWO directly.
The summary FWO timeline can be viewed below, and a more in-depth timeline can be downloaded here:
Senior Business Journalist
Focused on the small business sector, David’s work covers the political, regulatory, and economic issues facing Australian entrepreneurs. Prior to joining SmartCompany, he was a reporter for Business Insider Australia. You can follow him on LinkedIn.
