Entitlements?

Paid family and domestic violence leave is to be introduced in Australia: how does it affect me?

Are real estate agents liable to pay back Jobkeeper as part of a retainer and commission fee structure?

Am I entitled to remuneration for training as part of my employment?

When you start a new job, it is common for your employer to require you to undertake training. If you have completed on-the-job training or an online course, you may be wondering, ‘am I entitled to remuneration for the training period?’

I believe that my employer has been underpaying my superannuation. What are my rights?

Employers are required to contribute at least 9.5 per cent payable at least every 3 months. An employee may elect to salary sacrifice, whereby an additional concessional contribution amount is paid from your pre-tax salary to your nominated superannuation account.

I have been dismissed by my employer and have a strict restraint of trade clause. Does this clause still apply?

A restraint of trade clause will only apply to you if your employer can establish that it is ‘reasonable’. For the restraint to be ‘reasonable’ your employer must show that the restraint of trade clause is reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate interest of the employer’s business.

I am on WorkCover and my employer has proposed to transfer me to another position with reduced responsibilities and pay. What can I do?

If your employer attempts to alter your role without genuine reason it could be a breach of section 340 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) insofar as your employer has taken adverse action for a prohibited reason.

I am being bullied on social media by my colleagues, what can I do?

It is common to interact with work colleagues on social media, but these interactions are not always friendly. If you are being bullied or harassed on social media by your colleagues, you may be entitled to lodge a stop bullying claim with The Fair Work Commission, under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

WorkPac v Skene [2018]- Am I still a casual employee if I work full-time hours?

Whether you will be classified as a casual employee will be determined by assessing the true nature of your employment relationship.

I have left a well-paying job for a new role, but am now being made redundant. Do I have any legal recourse?

Even when a redundancy can be proved to be genuine, there may still be legal recourse in circumstances where your employer engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.

I am dealing with family and domestic violence and it is impacting my ability to effectively function at work. What can I do?

Changes entitling employees to take unpaid family and domestic violence leave are in effect from 1 August 2018.

My employer has changed my regular hours of work. What are my legal rights?

If an employer is seeking to change your working hours, they must ensure they are acting within the confines of the law. This includes adhering to contractual obligations, engaging in appropriate consultation and ensuring that the change is not a result of any discriminatory reasons.

Can my employer force me to take annual leave over the Christmas holidays?

With over a quarter of Australian workers forced to take annual leave over the Christmas holidays when business is slow or shut down, it is critical that employees understand their rights in relation to mandated leave.

The general rule is that employers are entitled to direct employees to take annual leave where the request is reasonable. This includes situations where:

• the employee has accrued excessive annual leave; or
• the employer’s operations are temporarily shut down.