Category Archives: News and Articles
How much should you pay your staff?
Below are some common questions companies ask in relation to employee wages and conditions:
- * What are the industry rates?
- * Can I employ and pay staff fixed amounts for set tasks?
- * Do I have to pay penalties when agreeing to flexible working arrangements?
Our advice is, before employing a new staff member or agreeing to any changes in an employees working arrangements or conditions, you should always refer to Continue Reading
Is your business SuperStream compliant yet?
The ATO has announced that it will extend the SuperStream deadline for small business until 28 October 2016.
The ATO will not be taking compliance action against small businesses who miss the 30 June deadline and will continue to work to support them to get SuperStream ready.
What is SuperStream?
Employee superannuation guarantee contributions must now be sent electronically to super funds. Options include using a SuperStream compliant payroll system (such as Xero or MYOB), Continue Reading
New High Income Threshold & Fair Work Information Statement
Following the decision by the Fair Work Commission to increase minimum wages by 2.4% on 1 July 2016, the High Income Threshold will now increase to $138,900 per annum.
An employee covered by the Fair Work Act earning more than the high income threshold is generally exempt from Awards and from unfair dismissal. Continue Reading
New Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Dob In Service’
Employers, business owners and managers beware!
If you are not sure where you stand in relation to your employees pay, conditions and entitlements now would be a good time to find out.
The new Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘Anonymous Report’ function allows anyone to notify the agency of potential workplace issues via their website without having to provide their personal details. Continue Reading
Managing Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace
If a worker commits a negligent or wrongful act while they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the person in control of the business can be held liable for their behaviour unless steps have been taken to prevent it.
In fact, certain high risk industries have legislative provisions requiring the development of drug and alcohol programs to prohibit employees from working while affected by alcohol or drugs. Continue Reading
How technology is making it easy to manage HR & WHS compliance
A large majority of businesses now use the internet to automate their business processes. Managing employee information, contractors and workplace health and safety obligations shouldn’t be any different.
Even if you are a small business there are affordable software solutions that can provide legally compliant documentation and templates and reduce the need to store mounds of paper work in order to meet your compliance obligations, especially if you have a trusted and secure alternative. Continue Reading
Do a HR or WHS Compliance check on your business
- • Are your policies and practices protecting your business?
- • Is your business adhering to Australian legislation?
An audit of your Human Resources and/or Workplace Health and Safety management system or practices will help you avoid penalties and costs by identifying if your business is complying. It will also make you aware of what you need to know and take the stress out of meeting your obligations. Continue Reading
The complexity of managing maternity & parental leave with more changes to come…
Managing pregnancy and a return to work often presents challenges for small businesses especially when they don’t have access to Human Resource Staff or knowledge of workplace laws.
To add to the confusion, Parental leave legislation is about to undergo more changes and if passed will take effect from 1 July 2016.
Some of the key proposed changes may include: Continue Reading
Xmas/New Year Operating Hours
Please note: our office will be closed for general business from Friday 25/12/15 to Sunday 3/1/16 and will re-open on Monday 4/1/16.
For any urgent matters that arise during our office closedown existing customers can contact Cheryl Koppman via mobile phone or email.
5 Common HR Mistakes Small Businesses Make
There is a lot you need to know if you own or manage a business in Australia and ignorance is no defence.
If you employ people this obligation extends to understanding your obligations under workplace laws such as employee rights, minimum wages, pay slips, leave and notice of termination. You also need to know about superannuation, workplace health and safety and tax.
Below are 5 common Human Resources mistakes that can trip up a small business. Avoiding these mistakes can reduce the risk of disputes, being fined with hefty penalties or even being sued. Continue Reading
