On Saturday, the Fair Work Commission made a determination varying the Clerks Private Sector Award 2020, inserting a new temporary Schedule adding flexibility during the coronavirus outbreak for the period 28 March to 30 June 2020. To view the full press release visit https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/website-news/clerks-award-flexibility-during-outbreak-of-coronavirus
These are the main changes:
Change in Duties
- Employers can require employees to undertake tasks outside of their normal duties or classification as long as they have the qualifications, licences, skill and competency needed. If required to work above their usual classification for more than 1 day, you need to pay them at the higher rate. Otherwise, the same classification rates apply as normal.
Minimum engagement
Minimum engagement of part time and casual employees working from home is reduced to two hours.
Span of hours change
Whilst working from home, the span of hours employees are allowed to work has been increased, without being considered as shift workers. This should make it easier for employees to work around caring responsibilities at home.
Hours of Work for full time and part time employees
You can reduce your employees’ hours of work by up to 25% with the agreement of a three quarters majority of employees, in all or part of your business. There are more detailed requirements to make this change, so please contact us if you need assistance.
Annual Leave and Close Down of Business
You can direct your employees to take annual leave with at least 1 week’s notice (or a shorter period of notice that is agreed), as long as they have at least two weeks accrued annual leave remaining after the leave period. You can agree that your employees can take up to twice as much annual leave at a proportionally reduced rate (e.g. 4 weeks at half pay instead of two weeks at full pay).
If your business is closing down for a period, employees can take paid and unpaid leave for the period of the close down.
I encourage you to review these changes carefully to see how they may affect your business and your staff. If you need any further information, or advice specific to your business, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or 1300 856 231.
Yours sincerely,
Bronwyn Pearson
CEO
Pinnacle People Solutions
This information and advice is general in nature, based on our interpretation of current legislation and policy, and does not take into account your specific circumstances. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and seek professional advice if required.
