Winter 2007 Number 23
ISSN 1447-9362
Two Rivers is a quarterly newsletter produced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit of the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with information, stories and updates on happenings within the world of industrial relations.
The NSW industrial relations system covers most unincorporated businesses in NSW (e.g. sole traders and partnerships) as well as some incorporated businesses operating in NSW (e.g. some charities and not-for-profit organisations). Businesses may need to seek legal advice to determine whether NSW industrial relations laws apply to them.
What has happened since the last newsletter?
State Wage Case 2007
Several state awards have varied to include the pay rise which was handed down in the State Wage Case decision of the 8 June 2007.
This increase is for all workers on NSW State awards. Some very low paid workers will get an increase of $27.00.
To find out if your award has been varied, please contact either Rae or Chris on 1300 361 968.
Don't forget, the OIR offers a service called pay rate updates. Pay Rate Updates is a free service where the latest information can be automatically e-mailed to you.
To join this free service, please go to the OIR website.
Pay increase for community service workers
Wages under the Social and Community Services Employees (State) Award have increased from the first full pay period to commence on or after 1 July 2008. For a copy of the new wages, please contact either Rae or Chris, or go to our website to download a copy.
Please note the increase is only for employees who are employed on the NSW award.
Guidelines to protect young workers in NSW
On 22 May 2007 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission approved guidelines for employers to follow to protect young worker's pay and conditions in NSW.
The guidelines, formally known as the No Net Detriment Principles under the Industrial Relations (Child Employment) Act 2006, ensure that workers under 18 years of age covered by federal workplace relations laws will have wages and conditions that are at least equal to the state award.
Employers operating in NSW under the federal industrial relations system are now obliged to provide young workers with the following conditions, where they are provided for in the comparable NSW award or legislation:
-
payment at the base rate and pay for wage related allowances (eg uniform)
-
payment for all work preformed, including probationary periods and overtime
-
regular payment in money and in full, without deductions for breakages, shortages or deductions for any goods or services supplied by the employer (eg drinks)
-
special requirements for children (including supervision)
-
limits on working late at nights or early in the morning
-
late night transport arrangements
-
reasonable notice of rosters and changes of shift or working hours
-
entitlements to annual leave and other forms of leave (eg sick)
-
occupational health and safety (including provision of safety equipment)
APEC Public Holiday
The APEC Public Holiday is set for Friday 7 September 2007. This day is not a state wide public holiday and will only apply to employers and employees in certain local government areas of Sydney and surrounding areas.
Many state awards do not have a provision for this type of local holiday. Therefore new legislation has been passed which clarifies that state award or agreement public holiday provisions must be applied on that day as if it was an ordinary public holiday.
This means that an employee who is working in one of the local government areas (there is a list of areas on the OIR website) would be entitled to either the day off with pay or, if required to work, they would be entitled under the state award to the prescribed penalty rates for a public holiday.
For more information with regards to the APEC public holiday, or contact Rae or Chris.
Australia Day Public Holiday 2008
The Australia Day holiday for 2008 falls on Saturday 26 January. The public holiday will be observed on Monday 28 January.
August Bank Holiday
A common question which is asked is: am I entitled to the Bank Holiday? This year the August Bank Holiday falls on the 6 August 2007. If you are working for a bank then the holiday does apply to you. Check with your human resource team or your manager to ensure you are entitled to this public holiday.
For some employees in the financial and commercial sectors, there is a possibility that the Bank Holiday has been included in your award or agreement. To find out if the Bank holiday applies to you, you would need to check your award as the Bank Holiday is not a state wide public holiday it will only apply to certain employees.
Upcoming Events
Employing Indigenous Staff Workshops
Mount Druitt - 25 September
Multi Purpose Centre
108 Ellsworth Drive Tregear
Campbelltown - 23 October 2007
Macarthur BEC
8th Floor, Campbelltown City Centre
171 -179 Queen Street Campbelltown
Industrial relations in NSW - rights and responsibilities
This short course will explain basic rights and obligations under NSW employment laws and the interaction with federal employment laws to help you understand how they apply in your workplace.
The course will help you:
-
understand NSW industrial relations and other employment laws which will continue to apply
-
determine if you are covered by the new federal legislation and transitional arrangements and where they apply
-
understand the effects of the new federal legislation on your business.
Course times: 9am – 12 noon
Lunch: 12 noon - 1pm (light meal included)
Does your workplace have a policy on the use of mobile phones, email and the internet?
Have you ever dealt with the issue of staff smoking during work time or in the workplace? Find out how to develop and implement policies the right way by attending our course Workplace policies - write your rules.
Workplace policies - write your rules
By having workplace policies and procedures your business can directly benefit by providing consistency in management decisions and protection in disputes.
Your employees will clearly understand what is expected of them and know established boundaries on what is acceptable/unacceptable behaviour.
The course covers:
§ steps in planning, developing and writing workplace policies
§ their structure and content
§ introducing policies into the workplace
§ examples of contemporary policy issues in the workplace.
Course times: 1pm – 5pm,
Cost: $66 (incl. GST) for the whole day
For more information or for a registration form, please contact either Rae or Chris.
Important Information for young workers – Know the deal
Know the deal- an essential guide for all young workers in NSW. Find out what the go is when looking for, starting and leaving a job. Also helpful hints for preparing your resume.
Simple easy to follow information on an employees rights and obligations in the workplace.
For more information go to the Young People at Work website.
Phone: 131 628
| Award Enquiries
