Are you ready for the silly season? No matter what business you’re in, now is the time to prepare for the next few months.
Here are some resources to help guide you.
Whitsunday Regional Council Disaster Dashboard
This Whitsunday Regional Council’ ‘s Disaster Dashboard provides information residents and visitors to the Whitsunday area in preparation for, response to, and recovery from, disaster events likely to affect our region.
Prepare for an emergency
Here are some tips to prepare your business for an emergency situation – before it happens:
- Ensure you have the right insurance for your needs
- Prepare your business building and surrounding property and assets
- Back and secure your data and files
- Set up an emergency action team and communicate
- Review your evacuation procedures with the team
- Check your emergency kit
- Keep a list of key emergency contacts
Visit business.gov.au’s website for details and resources.
Small Business Disaster Hub
Business Queensland’s Small Business Disaster Hub has a range of resources to help you prevent, prepare, respond and recover from a disaster or emergency. Being prepared can help reduce damage to your business and get you back to business quickly.
Also see the Queensland Government’s advice on post-disaster situations such as insurance claims, profiteering, and recovering damaged products and documents.
Insurance Claims
Legal Aid Queensland has a free guide to help Queenslanders with their insurance claims after a storm, cyclone or flood. This guide provides advice on home building and contents insurance policies. It doesn’t provide advice on other types of insurance such as motor vehicle insurance policies.
Business Queensland Tropical Cyclone Jasper
If your business has been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, you may be eligible to access:
- disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations with re-establishing normal operations.
- disaster assistance (essential working capital) loans of up to $100,000
Business Continuity Planning: Are you prepared?
Business continuity planning helps your business respond to unexpected events and situations which can interrupt your operations such as natural disasters, outages, supply chain failures, and staff shortages.
As we head into the festive season, consider developing a business continuity plan that will help your business minimise the impacts of these events and continue trading.
Visit Business Queensland’s website for free business continuity information, resources, and templates.
Industrial Relations & Award Entitlements
The holiday season can be a busy time for everyone. As an employer, do you know what your rights and responsibilities are for public holiday entitlements, close downs, and directing staff to take annual leave?
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to clarify award entitlements and other details:
Also see employment entitlements during natural disasters and emergencies.
The Ombudsman also has a Small Business Showcase for tips, tools, and training.
Employers may also be eligible for the following Fair Work Ombudsman services:
- Employer Advisory Service which gives small business employers free tailored written advice about pay and conditions to help you make sure you’re meeting your obligations under the Fair Work Act.
- Workplace Advice Service for free legal help with a case at the Commission about employment issues.
Fringe Benefits Tax: Are you entertaining this festive season?
With the holiday season on the way you may be planning to celebrate with your staff, customers, and suppliers. Before you hire a restaurant or book an event, make sure you work out if the benefits you provide your employees are considered entertainment related and subject to fringe benefits tax.
Visit the Australian Tax Office for information and resources.
Free Business Wellness Coaching
The Queensland Government’s Small Business Wellness Coaching provides free one-on-one, customised emotional coaching support to you personally, assisting you to address the impact of stress.
Free Mentoring for Growth sessions
The Queensland Government’s Mentoring for Growth program has been offering eligible businesses free, confidential access to volunteer business experts who provide insights, options and suggestions relating to challenges and opportunities you are experiencing in your business. The program includes mentoring on business growth, investment, pitches, exporting, and business recovery.
Air Conditioner Season: Is your business and home ready?