Employers and employees need to start planning how their businesses will operate during the end-of-year holiday season.
Many businesses get busier this time of year and may need their employees to work more hours and on public holidays. Other businesses may shut down or reduce their staff numbers.
This month’s Ask An Expert article with the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry asks: What are the industrial relations rules for Christmas casuals and end-of-year holiday season?
Employee relations expert, Mark Lipkin from The Airlie Group, suggests the following to prepare:
- Determine any shut down or changed hours now and plan your roster. Ensure you consult as early as practically feasible with your workforce on the roster ahead of time.
- Understand the rules and processes relating to employees who continue to work during shut down or directing employees to take reasonable annual leave.
- Get across penalty rates and requirements for working on public holidays, and entitlements if public holidays fall during shut down or requested annual leave.
Also, there are new rules about casual employment. These include changes to how casual work is defined, new pathways to permanent employment, and employee and employer responsibilities.
Mark recommends these strategies for Christmas casuals:
- Ensure your offer of employment is consistent with the new definition of casual employee and issue the new Casual Employment Information Statement in addition to the Fair Work Information Statement.
- Review all existing casual employees to ensure the current employment is consistent or inconsistent with the legislation, in particular review how your engagement of existing casuals looks from a “practical” perspective and ask the question whether an alternative form of employment (permanent, part- or fixed term) could work equally well.
Airlie Group is offering Chamber members a free of charge initial consultation on employee and industrial relations matters, resulting in structured general advice. Contact Mark today to learn more on mark@airliegroup.com.au
Keys to business success from the 2024 Whitsunday Business Award winners