A Senate Select Committee report on the Future of Work and Workers handed down this week after a year-long inquiry, gives some insight (which is likely to be startling to most employers) into the likely Labor legislative agenda in the workplace relations space if there is a change of government at the next election. The employment and IR related recommendations from the Committee’s majority (dominated by Labor, Greens and Independents) include the following that have…

Over 40 million people around the world are trapped in conditions of modern slavery, according to research from the Walk Free Foundation and the International Labour Organization. The fight against modern slavery is fragmented. Governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and law enforcement agencies are engaged in their own fights at various levels (local, regional, national, global) with little collaboration. In increasingly globalised markets, there is growing regulatory and consumer pressure on businesses to eliminate the exploitative…

The introduction of the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Bill 2018 on 28 June 2018 sets an imperative for businesses operating in Australia to know, and show, how they are identifying and addressing the risks of modern slavery. Reporting Requirement At the centre of the Bill is the Modern Slavery Reporting Requirement: a mandatory requirement that entities based, or operating, in Australia, which have an annual consolidated revenue of more than AUD $100 million, report annually…

The NSW Parliament yesterday passed the Modern Slavery Bill 2018. It is now awaiting assent and a commencement date, however businesses should not wait and begin planning for the new obligations. Supporting regulations will follow that deal with the finer details even without these, businesses should now urgently consider whether they will be caught by this legislation and consider how they are going to meet their compliance obligations. There will be significant maximum penalties applying to…

The ways we work, the structure of our businesses and the economy continue to be transformed by emerging technologies and cultural shifts. Seyfarth Shaw’s annual survey of business leaders seeks to understand how they are coping with, and adapting to, the rapidly changing landscape. From talent readiness to cybersecurity, the 2018 Future Enterprise Survey Results give a flavour for the top-of-mind issues facing our clients. Take a look at the Survey Results here and consider…

It is common for employers to bring on employees for limited term employment, where work may not be ongoing. Traditionally, “outer limit” contracts have allowed for the employment to end on an agreed date without a resignation or dismissal. A recent decision of the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission may have pushed “outer limit” contracts closer to their own expiry date. The key takeout is that if the employee does not voluntarily leave…

The Australian Government’s inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act reflects a growing domestic and international commitment to eliminate the exploitative practices of modern day slavery, and recommends new reporting and due diligence obligations for businesses operating in Australia. Hidden in plain sight Over 40 million people around the world are trapped in conditions of modern slavery, according to estimates from the Walk Free Foundation and International Labour Organization, including an estimated 4300 victims…