The New Industrial Relations Reforms: What You Need to Know Now - 4 part on-demand webinar series

Program 1: Bargaining in the New IR Landscape

One of the most controversial parts of the Federal Government’s reforms include the introduction of multi-employer bargaining. Will these changes open the door to crippling industrial action across entire sectors? If so, how can employers best prepare themselves for what is coming? It’s never been more important to be across the new landscape and what they mean for the Australian workforce. This session provides a deep dive into bargaining, including:

• Increased power of unions to initiate bargaining
• Bargaining in ‘good faith’ – what is involved?
• Expanding the operation of multi-employer bargaining:
  • which businesses are eligible?
  • powers of the Minister to declare an industry is eligible for supported multi-employer bargaining
  • will this new approach drag business owners into expensive and arduous bargaining negotiations?
  • businesses bargaining together – how will this work in practice? Is it anti-competitive?
• How has the Better Off Overall Test changed?
• Tips and traps in navigating bargaining negotiations in the new landscape

Program 2: Secure Jobs, Better Rights? Navigating the New Employee Protections

A key focus of the new industrial relations reforms is to significantly increase employee protections. It is vital that employers get their houses in order now to ensure compliance. With new, positive duties being created under the new legislation, employers who fail to comply with their obligations may be in the firing line. This session examines the key changes, including:

• Protection against pay secrecy:
  • reviewing current employment contracts
  • creation of a new, enforceable workplace right
  • ensuring transparency and equity around remuneration
  • will this lead to adverse action proceedings?
• Protection against discrimination:
  • new protections on the basis of breastfeeding, gender identity and intersex status as protected attributes
• Prohibition against sexual harassment:
  • new protections in connection with work
  • vicarious liability for employers for sexual harassment by employees
  • what will considered to be reasonable steps’ to prevent the conduct from occurring?
• Practical case studies

Program 3: The Future of Insecure Work

A key focus of the new industrial relations reforms is to improve job security. However, changes involving fixed term contracts may in turn see employers further casualise their workforce. This session unpacks the key changes involving insecure work and what they mean for Australian businesses, including:

• Fixed term contracts:
  • the new limitations
  • when are extensions available?
  • what should employers be doing now?
• Is casualised work the answer?
  • terms, significance and effect of recent court decisions
  • resulting amendments to the Fair Work Act, and the new definition of casual employee
  • new rules for conversion to permanent employment
• Case studies

Program 4: Flexible Working Arrangements: A Non-negotiable in the Modern Workforce

The pandemic saw sweeping attitudinal changes involving flexible working arrangements. These changes have now been cemented in law under the Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation. This practical session examine what these reforms mean for employers, including:

• Who has the right to request flexible working arrangements?
• On what basis can employers refuse requests from staff?
• When is an employee required to attend a workplace?
• Tips for managing the emerging issues of overtime
• What happens if employers and employees cannot find a solution?
• Understanding the powers of the Fair Work Commission
• Case studies