Archived News for Human Resource Professionals - May, 2012
The Federal Government has announced $40 million in spending over four years to soften the blow of the newly unemployed and assist in making the most of savings while looking for a new job or studying.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, and Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, today announced that from 1 July 2013, applicants can have up to double the amount in liquid assets before being subject to the waiting period to receive Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Youth Allowance or Austudy.
The new thresholds will be set at $5000 for a single person (with no dependent children) and $10 000 for a person who is partnered or has a dependent child.
Funding for child care announced
The Federal Government has announced an extra $225.1 million in Budget spending over four years in child care assistance to assist parents train and re-skill to enter or return to the workforce.
ABS releases mums and work statistics
Increasingly mums are returning to the workforce when their youngest child begins school, statistics from the ABS show.
Fair Work Ombudsman orders back payment for workers classed as contractors
Six workers in Albury-Wodonga have been back-paid a total of $48,700 following recent intervention by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Fair Work Ombudsman recovers lost wages
The Fair Work Ombudsman has recently recovered almost $60,000 for dozens of workers in Victoria’s Goldfields region.
High Court rules against James Hardie directors
The High Court has ruled that seven former directors of James Hardie misled the Australian Stock Exchange about the company’s ability to fund compensation claims from asbestos victims.
Queensland Government announces new public sector productivity deal
The Queensland Government has announced a new wages framework providing pay increases of up to 3 per cent to public servants in return for productivity savings that deliver better services and value for money for Queensland taxpayers.
$7.1 million invested in CBEAS
The Federal Government will provide $7.1 million over four years to ensure five Community Based Employment Advice Services (CBEAS) can continue to assist thousands of Australia’s most vulnerable workers.
Fair Trading NSW tough on property cheats
A property manager employed by a Sydney commercial property management company has been convicted of seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and sentenced to a maximum of 18 months imprisonment, suspended on him entering into a bond.
Employers push to remove penalty rates
An employer push to remove weekend penalty rates for workers in restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs would slash the pay of many of Australia’s lowest-paid workers, say unions.
ALRC releases mature aged workers issues paper
The Australian Law Reform Council (ALRC) has released an Issues Paper for its inquiry into the legal barriers to mature aged participation in the workforce.
Nominations open for Australian HR Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2012 Australian HR Awards, with invitations extended to nominate individuals and organisations who have exhibited outstanding performance in the field of Human Relations in 2012.
Philippines tops Business English Index list
Nearly four out of ten workers can’t understand the basic information shared on global conference calls, read or write emails in English, or deal with complexity and rapid change.
Victoria to slash WorkCover premiums
The Victorian Government has announced a major cut to WorkCover premiums, cutting them by three per cent from the beginning of July.