IMPORTANT CHANGES TO PRIVACY LAW
From 12 March 2014, significant changes to privacy law in Australia will come into effect following recent amendments to the legislation. As the changes have important practical and legal implications for businesses in relation to the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information about employees, clients and customers (among others), it is important that you take the time to understand the reforms and to adapt your business practices accordingly.
The changes apply to government agencies as well as organisations, which includes individuals, partnerships and small business operators. Small business operators are defined as businesses with an annual turnover of up to $3,000,000, subject to some limited exceptions. Continue Reading
EMPLOYER’S OBLIGATION TO CONSULT WITH EMPLOYEES ABOUT WORKING HOURS
On 1 January 2014, the Fair Work Commission issued a decision pursuant to recent amendments to federal employment legislation which, in essence, varied all modern awards to require employers to consult with award-covered employees about any changes to their rosters or ordinary hours of work.
More specifically, under the new laws employers are required to provide affected employees all relevant information regarding the proposed change, to invite the employee to give their views about the impact of the proposed change (including, for example, the impact on their family and/or caring responsibilities) and to consider any such views put forward by the employee. Continue Reading