As the clock runs out on another year, it’s time to reflect, so we’ve compiled our top articles that recap it all from start to finish. Beginning with an overhaul of our country’s industrial relations system to the more serious topics like underpayments, deadly workplace culture, and redundancy, it’s safe to say the world of workplace relations has had another big year.

Find a comfortable spot and get reading…

1. Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave is changing. How will it impact my business?

This article shines a spotlight on the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 and what businesses need to do to ensure compliance with these new laws.

2. SCHADS Award update: minimum wage to rise for direct care workers

Direct care workers, including nurses and personal care workers, were awarded an interim 15 per cent minimum wage increase by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in November 2022. This article explains the ins and outs and what employers need to do.

3. Talent is on the move, how can my business retain it?

It’s a common misconception that pay drives performance retention, however, results have shown that it’s more complicated than that. People leave their bosses; they search for better workplace culture, jobs closer to home, and places where they can see their careers growing.

4. Federal Court hands down ruling on public holiday request and refusal rights

A recent ruling of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia in Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v OS MCAP Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 51 (the Decision) has reminded employers that they can only request that their employees work on a public holiday and that the employee can refuse such a request if the refusal is reasonable.

5. Flexible working arrangements laws have changed, what does this mean for my business?

The recent passing of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill amended the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘FW Act’) broadening employees’ ability to request flexible working arrangements from their employers. These changes come into place from 6 June 2023, and it’s crucial that businesses of all shapes and sizes understand them inside out. Here we outline the most up-to-date advice on who can make requests, as well as how and when you should respond.

6. The great Aussie ‘sickie’ guide for employers

When public holidays fall on a Thursday or Tuesday, some of your employees might be tempted to chuck a sickie; a sneaky move so that they can enjoy a dour-day weekend! While your employee may very well be sick, it can be a frustrating situation for businesses that find their workers calling in sick with some very fortunate timing. If you believe they’re being dishonest, what can you do as an employer? If you receive the inevitable call in the morning, here are some tips to help you understand your employer rights and obligations. 

7. Modern awards and shutdown provisions: the changes you need to know about

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has made amendments to most modern award shutdown provisions, impacting the way employers implement shutdown periods. The change took effect from 1 May 2023, and involves the introduction of a standard clause, or model term, with consistent wording across all 78 affected awards. Here our experts break down these changes into easy-to-understand language and share what business owners must be aware of when it comes to managing shutdown periods and leave entitlements.

8. Why you need to support the mental and physical well-being of your employees

Did you know that 45 per cent of Australians aged between 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives? And because these issues are more prevalent than most realise, it’s highly likely that as a business owner or HR manager, you will supervise an employee who is struggling with a mental illness at some point – whether you know it or not.

9. How to manage a genuine redundancy

If you have to make employees redundant, it’s never an easy process. For those directly affected, there are financial and emotional consequences as well as the inevitable disruption and reduced productivity impacting the entire business. Here our experts explain what a genuine redundancy is, and why businesses can’t afford to put a foot wrong and face expensive workplace disputes and grievances when it comes to following the process.

10. Workplace fatigue is manageable. Here’s how

Did you know that fatigue dramatically increases the risk of accidents and injuries occurring in the workplace? Working while fatigued can be just as dangerous as drink driving, with Monash University’s Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety, and Productivity finding that it causes almost 10,000 serious injuries in Australian workplaces annually.

Take a walk back to 2022 and see what the hottest topics of the year were: check out last year’s top blogs here.

Compliance is our strength, and we love helping others achieve it. With the resources available in enableHR, you’ll have everything you need to be 100 per cent compliant when managing your people.

See enableHR in action today! Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business get compliance right – all the time.