Emma Watt Workplace Untangler - Our Articles

In most Australian legislation, penalties for breaches of the Act (including the Fair Work Act 2009) are described in terms of 'penalty units'.  Then, a single piece of legislation defines a 'penalty unit'.  For a long time now, about 15 years, the federal 'penalty unit' has been $110, and is set in section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914.  Recently, the value of a 'penalty unit' has increased from $110 to $170. ...read more

One of the features of modern awards that is a departure from tradition is the method of setting allowances.  In the past, allowances have generally been expressed in dollar terms in each award, making it easy to work out what to pay just by looking at the relevant clause. ...read more

I have a disclaimer that I put on quite a lot of the documents I publish or send out to people.  Something along the lines of 'I really tried to make sure this was right, but if it's wrong, don't look at me'.   ...read more

Minimum wages in modern awards will increase by 3.4% from the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2011.  That means that minimum wages paid under modern awards will change from the full pay period that falls completely in July.  Employers are not required to split a pay period and use two different sets of rates to calculate wages for one pay period. ...read more

I sometimes have employers asking me if sick leave is cumulative.  Sick leave has now been replaced by personal/carer's leave, which encompasses situations where the employee is personally ill or injured, or needs to take time off to care for a member of his or her immediate family.

 ...read more

Today a Full Bench of Fair Work Australia issued the 2011 Minimum Wages decision.  From 1 July 2011, minimum wage rates in modern awards will rise by 3.4%, with weekly wages to be rounded to the nearest 10 cents. ...read more

Fast food retailer Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd has been fined $100,500 after underpaying almost 700 of its Tasmanian employees hundreds of thousands of dollars. ...read more