Underpayment Penalty Highlights the Importance of Award and Payroll Compliance
Due to a payroll discrepancy, casual employees of two of New South Wales’ leading zoos, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo, are entitled to receive a substantial amount of back pay. Key takeaways: Payroll irregularities led to $2.6 million in underpayments for casual staff at Taronga Zoo Approximately 586 current employees and 316 past […]
8 Steps for Employers to Avoid Unfair Dismissal in Australia
Unfair dismissal in Australia is governed by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which ensures that employees are treated fairly and reasonably upon termination of employment. The Act provides specific guidelines for employers to follow during the dismissal process, and non-compliance can lead to significant legal repercussions. Here are 8 essential steps for employers to […]
Company Guide: Parental Leave
Introduction Parental leave is an essential benefit that supports employees during the pivotal moments of welcoming a new child into their families. In Australia, specific regulations guide the implementation of these benefits. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of parental leave in Australia, to help you understand your rights and obligations as an […]
Workplace Gender Equality Reforms
Workplace Gender Equality Reforms Federal Parliament passed the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 on 30 March 2023. The aim of the reforms The reforms are aimed at improving transparency, accountability and accelerating progress on workplace gender equality in Australia. It is expected that publishing employer gender pay gaps will […]
Selecting the Best HR System for Your Business
A Human Resources Information System (HRIS) is a critical tool for managing HR functions and data. A HRIS helps HR professionals streamline tasks and provides a centralised database for employee information. HRIS’ can help with everything from recruiting and hiring to benefits administration and performance management. However, selecting the right HRIS for your organisation can […]
New Sexual Harassment Laws
New Sexual Harassment Laws The changes to the Fair Work Act (2009) under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation in relation to sexual harassment have come into operation effective 6 March 2023. Under the changes, the Fair Work Act (2009) has been updated to ban sexual harassment in connection with work for all workers – […]
10 Step Guide to Workplace Bullying Investigations
Workplace Bullying Investigations Workplace bullying can cause significant harm to employees, their mental and physical health, and their productivity. As an employer, it is your responsibility to investigate allegations of bullying in the workplace and take action to prevent it. Here is a step-by-step guide to conducting a workplace bullying investigation: Step 1: Take the […]
Writing a Professional Employment Contract
Key Elements of Writing an Employment Contract An employment contract is a legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee. Here are the key elements that should be included in an employment contract: Job Title and Description: Clearly state the job title and a brief description of the duties and responsibilities of the employee. […]
7 Ways to Effectively Manage Employee Salary Increases
Salary increases It can be difficult to determine when an employee deserves or requires a salary increase. In order to attract and retain the best employees, we recommend conducting regular remuneration reviews and viewing benchmarking data. Remuneration reviews may be done in conjunction with your annual performance reviews, as you will likely be linking the […]
The Evolution of Performance Appraisals
The Evolution of Performance Appraisals Performance appraisals are often viewed as a tedious task that both managers and their direct reports despise. Cumbersome and over complicate performance appraisals process have been the major contributor to that perception for many. Not to mention the amount of paperwork it creates and that in many cases, it doesn’t […]
Respect@Work: 6 Important Changes to Consider
Respect@Work Changes: Late last year, the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect@Work) Act 2022 implemented a number of changes to the way businesses approach sexual harassment in relation to the workplace. We have summarised the Respect@Work changes in the list below that have taken place and a guide to satisfy the changes. Workplaces now […]
Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce: The Benefits and How-To
As society continues to progress, it’s important for businesses to ensure they are keeping up with the times. One of the ways that companies can do this is by building a diverse and inclusive workforce. This means hiring employees from a variety of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. In this article, we will explore the […]
Discover the Secrets to Effective Performance Management: A Guide to Fair and Productive Appraisals
As a manager, it can be a challenge to ensure that your team is performing at their best. But with the right tools and techniques, performance management can become an effective and enjoyable process for both you and your employees. In this article, we’ll explore the secrets to successful performance management, from setting achievable goals […]
Family and Domestic Violence Leave – Payslip Compliance
A recent update from the Australian Payroll Association https://www.austpayroll.com.au/ An amendment was proposed and approved on Friday 3 February concerning the reporting of new paid family and domestic violence leave on an employee’s payslip. This alteration became effective on Saturday 4 February. Employers will need to keep a record of any leave taken and the […]
7 Effective Leadership Behaviours
Effective leadership is crucial for the success of any organisation. Strong leaders inspire and motivate their teams, create a positive work environment, and drive results. If you’re a leader looking to improve your skills, there are several strategies you can adopt to become a more effective leader. Here are 7 effective leadership behaviours that can […]
Understanding Modern Awards in the Workplace
Interpretation of a modern award is the process of understanding and applying the award to a specific workplace or individual employee. It is essential for employers and employees to have an accurate understanding of the award to ensure that all parties are compliant with the relevant legal obligations. This blog will discuss the key points […]
HR Workplace Trends for 2023
We hope you all got to enjoy some time off over the Christmas and New Year period. There are a lot of changes on the cards this year from a HR perspective, with phase one of the new Secure Jobs, Better pay legislation now in operation. In this monthly update, we: discuss these changes and […]
5 Important Reasons for Small Business HR
Small businesses in Australia are the backbone of the country’s economy, but running a small business can be challenging. One important aspect of running a small business that is often overlooked is Human Resources (HR). The role of HR in small businesses is to ensure that the company’s employees are happy, productive, and well-managed. Here […]
Finding the Right Human Resources Consultancy Company in Sydney and Melbourne
Finding the Right Human Resources Consultancy Company in Sydney and Melbourne Table of Contents Image Source: Pexels Finding the right Human Resources Consultancy Company in Sydney and Melbourne can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s important to know the factors to consider before making a decision. In this blog article, we […]
Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award (MA000118) Award summary
Overview This award summary provides an overview of some of the key features of the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118). This information is current as at December 2022. Awards are updated regularly and you should always refer to a current copy of the award for the most up to date information. A […]
Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act
As another year comes to a close, we wanted to thank each of you for your support to Liquid HR over the last 12 months. Our business has seen substantial growth, with a lot of this growth coming from client referrals and recommendations. We wish you and your team a wonderful Christmas and New Year […]
Pre-existing medical history and disclosure requirements
Medical history is a sensitive topic that comes with responsibilities of confidentiality and privacy. For these reasons, it is highly unusual for current and or prospective employees to disclose their pre-existing medical history and this is also not always required. Should the pre-existing medical history have no bearing on the employee’s ability to undertake the […]
The Great Divide of Working from Home or Not
The Great Divide of Working from Home or Not Under the current climate of staff shortages and the war for talent, many employers are faced with the all-important question whether directing teams back in the office is the right approach or will it result in undesired turnover. With that in mind, it is therefore crucial […]
End of Year Functions – a timely reminder
End of Year Functions – a timely reminder The time of year for Christmas/end-of-year work events is fast approaching. Many workplaces across Australia big, small and of all industries, will most likely host some sort of social function/event. All staff are invited, and everyone has permission to let their hair down…’ or do they? As […]
Fair Work announces 15% pay increase for Aged Care workers
Fair Work announces 15% pay increase for Aged Care workers The full bench of the Fair Work Commission recently announced its interim decision to award a 15% pay increase to Aged Care workers in direct care roles across various awards. The hearing included a major work value case for awards including the Aged Care Award […]
High Income Employees: Does the Award still apply?
An insightful article written by Andrew Bland from Blands Law https://blandslaw.com.au/ that recently addressed a question we receive from clients quite often. The high-income threshold, currently $162,000.00, is indexed annually and limits an employee’s eligibility to make an unfair dismissal claim where no award or agreement applies to their employment. Many employers also believe that […]
Clerks—Private Sector Award, Australia
Clerks—Private Sector Award Overview This award summary provides an overview of some of the key features of the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020. This information is current as at July 2022. Awards are updated and you should always refer to a current copy of the award for the most up to date information. A copy of […]
Navigating the Australian Labour Market
Navigating the Australian Labour Market According to the ABS, as at August 2022 the unemployment rate in Australia was 3.5%. This is 487,700 unemployed people who are of working age. The ABS Job Vacancies report recorded and estimated 470,900 job vacancies as at August 2022. “Job vacancies were 107.4% higher than they were in February […]
Apprentice and Trainee
Apprentice and Trainee This eBook contains an overview of obligations and requirements for employers to consider when hiring apprentices or trainees.Should you have any questions in relation to the information below, please reach out to one of our Employment Relations experts on:Tel: 1300 887 458Email: enquiries@liquidhr.com.au Table of Contents What is a trainee A trainee […]
Why your Small Business needs HR
Why your Small Business needs HR It’s no surprise that HR services are very often pushed to the back of the bus for small businesses. The recurring theme we hear is that small businesses are so focused on day-to-day operations and growing revenue that HR becomes an afterthought. A fair assumption, one might think, until […]
