COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on the Australian economy. The Australian Federal Government has implemented schemes such as the JobKeeper wage subsidy in response to the pandemic in order to preserve the employer-employee relationship and keep businesses and employees in work. On the afternoon of 1 September 2020, the Coronavirus Economic Response … Continued

The JobKeeper Payment, which was originally due to run until 27 September 2020, will now continue to be available to eligible businesses (including the self-employed and not-for-profits) until 28 March 2021. The JobKeeper Payment rate From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 The fortnightly payment for full-time workers is decreasing from $1,500 to $1,200. … Continued

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, (FW Act) there is specific criteria that needs to be met before an employer can stand down its employees. Further to our previous update on Standing Employees Down, below is further update on stand downs under s524 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) as well as JobKeeper enabling stand down directions. … Continued

The JobKeeper subsidy has been designed to support businesses that have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and to ensure that more Australians maintain employment. An eligible employee will receive $1,500 a fortnight from 30 March 2020 until 27 September 2020. Both the employer and employee need to satisfy eligibility criteria throughout the period to receive … Continued

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fair Work Amendment (Variation of Enterprise Agreements) Regulations 2020 has shortened the access period for a proposed variation of an enterprise agreement from the usual 7 days to 1 day. This means that the period that employees must have access to a copy of the proposed variation of an enterprise … Continued

The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) has been amended to assist employers, who qualify for the JobKeeper subsidy, in dealing with the impact of COVID-19. These amendments only apply to employers eligible for the JobKeeper subsidy. These are temporary measures to assist employees in keeping jobs during the economic downturn and work restrictions as a … Continued

The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic can have severe financial consequences if your construction contract risks are not properly managed. Liquidated damages, increases in the price of labour (due to inefficiencies caused by social distancing and now having to work 7 days a week in some cases), increased costs for materials or equipment used or ordered … Continued