This Month in HR by Paige - September Edition
Paige Taylor
HR Consultant | Resume & Interview Skills Trainer | Helping Businesses & Job Seekers Succeed
In our monthly newsletter, we delve into the most pressing and relevant topics in the world of Human Resources and Industrial Relations.? Each month, we cover a range of topics from legislation updates and compliance tips to innovative strategies for employee engagement and development.? This month we are excited to bring you:
September Employment Trends
As of August 2024, Australia’s unemployment rate has remained steady at 4.2%. Despite economic challenges, the labour market shows resilience, with 47,500 more Australians employed compared to the previous month. However, underemployment remains a concern, with many part-time workers seeking full-time positions. The job market is stable, but employment growth is slowing, and unemployment is expected to rise towards the end of the year. – source ABS
September Fair Work Cases
Celery Producer Penalties (17 September 2024): A Victorian celery farm, A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd, was penalised nearly $167,000 for underpaying migrant workers by over $91,000. The underpayment affected vulnerable migrant workers on the farm.
Mining and Energy Union Penalties (20 September 2024): The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) and several officials were fined a total of $657,105 for intimidating and threatening behavior towards workers at the Oaky Creek North coal mine in Queensland. The court found that workers were subjected to verbal abuse and public shaming during an industrial dispute.
Unlawful Deductions at Potato Farm (26 September 2024): McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based labour hire company, is facing legal action for allegedly making unlawful deductions from migrant workers’ wages. The deductions were for breaches of an alcohol policy, with fines of $500 imposed on workers, raising concerns over their legality.
Sydney Construction Business Court Case: A Sydney construction company is facing legal action for allegedly underpaying a worker by more than $30,000. This case involves an apprentice working under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award.
Mining and Energy Union Penalties: The FWO successfully secured $657,105 in penalties against the Mining and Energy Union and five union officials. The penalties stemmed from "intimidating and threatening" conduct towards workers at the Oaky Creek North coal mine in Queensland. Verbal abuse and derogatory social media posts were central to the case.
领英推荐
Read our Latest Blog Posts
FREE Template
To help businesses adapt to this new approach, we’re offering a free Job Description Template. This template is quite comprehensive and not all will be relevant to all positions. It is however, designed to help you focus on outcomes, emphasise key soft skills, and rethink the qualifications you’re seeking, all while attracting a broader and more diverse range of candidates.
You can download the template by completing the form on the link below and your template will be sent directly to your email address.
If you would like any help in the creation of new Job Descriptions or in reviewing existing ones, please email [email protected].