Australian workplaces are preparing for a readjustment of employment conditions under the Federal Government's planned shake-up of workplace relations. The remainder of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ('the Act') comes into force on 1 January 2010, bringing with it a myriad of Modern Awards and changes in workplace standards.
As a major part of the Government's "Forward with Fairness" Policy, the Act aims to create a unified national industrial relations system that will ensure balance and fairness for all Australian workers. The Federal Government will assume power over certain employment standards, previously administered by the states, to introduce consistency across all Australian workplaces.
Workplaces are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new Act and relevant Modern Awards. Of particular significance is the new Banking, Finance and Insurance Award ('the Banking Award'), effective as of 1 January 2010. The Banking Award, prescribed by the Act, will prevail over state imposed awards unless expressly provided for by the Act. It works to regulate the terms and conditions of employment for all employees in the banking, finance and insurance industries, irrespective of their role. It will therefore be the applicable award for many clerical employees who were previously covered by the NSW Clerical & Administrative Employees Award.
Major Changes
The New Award introduces an extra employee grade to aid in the distinction between employee roles, updating to a grading scale of one through six. While the grading of an employee will continue to increase in accordance with the skill and knowledge required in the proper execution of their employment tasks, the terms of reference for each grade have been significantly altered to better correspond with the duties and responsibilities particular to the banking, finance and insurance industries. It is anticipated that the new guidelines will enable a fairer assessment of employee roles and changing skill requirements within identified industries. All workplaces will need to re-evaluate their employee duties and responsibilities accordingly.
As a major part of the Government's "Forward with Fairness" Policy, the Act aims to create a unified national industrial relations system that will ensure balance and fairness for all Australian workers. The Federal Government will assume power over certain employment standards, previously administered by the states, to introduce consistency across all Australian workplaces.
Workplaces are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new Act and relevant Modern Awards. Of particular significance is the new Banking, Finance and Insurance Award ('the Banking Award'), effective as of 1 January 2010. The Banking Award, prescribed by the Act, will prevail over state imposed awards unless expressly provided for by the Act. It works to regulate the terms and conditions of employment for all employees in the banking, finance and insurance industries, irrespective of their role. It will therefore be the applicable award for many clerical employees who were previously covered by the NSW Clerical & Administrative Employees Award.
Major Changes
The New Award introduces an extra employee grade to aid in the distinction between employee roles, updating to a grading scale of one through six. While the grading of an employee will continue to increase in accordance with the skill and knowledge required in the proper execution of their employment tasks, the terms of reference for each grade have been significantly altered to better correspond with the duties and responsibilities particular to the banking, finance and insurance industries. It is anticipated that the new guidelines will enable a fairer assessment of employee roles and changing skill requirements within identified industries. All workplaces will need to re-evaluate their employee duties and responsibilities accordingly.