Biz Momentum Blog

Fair Work Fines have increased significantly for employers - $288,000 fines underpaying 2 employees

pip — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:23:22 +0000

An Adelaide company that employed two (2) employees was fined $288,000 for underpaying their two (2) workers less than $4,000.

Many business owners still continue to keep being surprised by the veracity of claims against them and the courts are continuing to take a tough line with employers they believe are deliberately flouting the law.

Employers need to be extra careful about industrial relations compliance and understand that it is not an easy exercise to remain vigilant and up to date with the many changes in addition to complying with modern awards.

Biz Momentum provides employers and businesses with expert advice in each state and territory – get the facts on 07 3349 5662.

Chiropractors did you know these employment issues?

pip — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:26:37 +0000

Chiropractors you must at a minimum understand the following to protect your business.

1. Ordinary hours are from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday. You are not considered a Medical practice which has preferential ordinary hours.

2. Employees who work outside these hours are considered shift workers in some circumstances and you must pay them a 15% loading on all hours worked that shift. E.g. Employee commences 2pm and finishes 6.30pm a 15% loading is paid on each hour.

3. Saturday work is paid at penalty rates e.g. time and one half and double time.

4. Associates cannot be paid an all up rate or a percentage of revenue invoiced by the Associate.

5. This exposes you to penalty rates, paid annual leave and other benefits you must pay.

6. Your Chiropractic Assistants working reasonably predictable hours are considered permanent part-time employees and cannot be paid as casuals anymore.

7. Most Chiropractors (97%) in Australia are in major breach of the new Health Professionals and Support Services Award. This leaves you open to serious risks, fines and penalties. Fines per breach can amount to $33,000.

We at Biz Momentum have developed products and services that assist you in keeping employees as casuals as well as employing Associates in a manner that will not cost you any more than you are currently paying them

For further information ring the Chiropractic Employee Relations Specialists Biz Momentum. We have Chiropractors in every state and territory of Australia.

Contact: 07 3349 5662 for solutions to your unique requirements.

Understanding you Employee Obligations Seminar Brisbane Wednesday 25 August 2010

pip — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:43:16 +0000

Allsopp Accountants is sponsoring a seminar on understanding your employee obligations on Wednesday 25 August 2010.

Philip Lye from Biz Momentum will present this practical seminar. For further information please download the two (2) attachments.

Understanding you Employee Obligations Invitation

Topics and Speaker

Superannuation payments on Termination of Employment

pip — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:53:32 +0000

If an employee is given payment for their employee entitlements upon termination of employment in lieu of working any notice period then the Fair Work Act considers that the Superannuation Guarantee is to be paid.

This can be a tricky issue in some situations and depending on your circumstances you should take advice. Redundancy and other forms of termination have different applications to what should or should not be paid or included.

Employment Agreements for Chiropractic Associates compliant with Fair Work and the Award

pip — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:30:33 +0000

Biz Momentum has developed a comprehensive employment agreement for Chiropractic Associates that comply with the requirements of Fair Work and the Heath Professions and Support Services Award.

Chiropractors can no longer employ Associates on common law agreements based on an all up rate or a percentage of fees however we have designed a compliant agreement that achieves the same outcome with certain changes.

We have Chiropractors in every state and territory of Australia and are specialists with a vast knowledge of the profession. For further information call +61 7 3349 5662.

Smoking in the Workplace

pip — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:53:59 +0000

Did you know your employees do not have a statutory right to a smoke break in the workplace?

Have you ever added up the cost of the loss of productivity of smoking in your workplace? You may be very surprised. What seems to be a 10 minute break often rolls into 20 minutes.

Consider doing the following:

Have a policy that clearly states that smoking is confined to rest breaks and not your time.
Set out why the policy is in force, (e.g. Health & Safety).
Specify where employees are allowed to smoke and where they are not. (Different states have different requirements).
Identify who is responsible for enforcing the policy.
Outline what the consequences of not complying with the policy are.

For further assistance please contact Biz Momentum. We have clients in all states and territories of Australia and advise some international clients. (T) 61 7 3349 5662 (m) +61 409 002 365

TRANSPORT INDUSTRY SPECIALIST ASSISTANCE

pip — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:41:40 +0000

Biz Momentum has been assisting the transport industry for some time and has developed a policies and procedures manual specifically for the transport industry that comprises human resource and health and safety policies and procedures.

This manual can be tailored to your business and comes with accident / incidents reports, checklists, employment agreements, forms and letters.

We have assisted employers with termination of employment issues, diminished performance and remuneration matters. We have enabled transport businesses to minimise their employment risks as well as placing strategies in place to ensure employee compliance while providing hands on mentoring and assistance.

We have clients Australia wide.

Record Sexual Harassment Payment

pip — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:27:16 +0000

An employee was recently awarded $466,000 plus 90% legal costs for sexual harassment by her employer.

Incidence of sexual harassment is increasing in today’s marketplace and legislation requires that you have policies and procedures to manage these complaints, to manage grievances in a timely and unbiased manner or you will pay the penalty.

Biz Momentum conduct Sexual Harassment investigations and can assist you minimise your risks.

You are urged to take action to protect your business interests.

CHIROPRACTORS YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THE NEW AWARD

pip — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:36:25 +0000

Chiropractors’ are covered by a new award, the Health Professional and Support Services Award 2010.

There are significant fines for those that decide not to comply. Recently in a Guild Paper to the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia detailed information was given that demonstrated vast changes are required to be made in the way staff are remunerated.

We at Biz Momentum look after many Chiropractors Australia wide and can assist you comply and reduce costs. We are Chiropractic employee relations specialists to many practices. We have provided the Guild advice to you – it is serious and you must take action now.

Please speak with us on 07 3349 5662 or 0409 002 365 or email us.

There are fines for material breaches of $33,000 per time. Guild Advice to Chiropractors

Small Business Dismissal Code

pip — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:05:36 +0000

The federal government have updated the Small Business Dismissal Code. The code contains some new questions that you must answer in order to satisfy the code.

We have made a copy available to you online.

Contact Biz Momentum 61 7 3379 5662 for assistance with dismissals and termination matters.

Small Business Dismissal Code