Workplace Legislation Updates: What You Need to Know
A range of important changes to workplace legislation have recently come into effect. At Iconic Care, we are committed to keeping our community informed and supported through these updates.
Right to Disconnect
New legislation grants employees the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside their paid working hours, unless it is unreasonable to do so. This means employees have the right to decline reading, responding to, or monitoring work-related messages from employers or third parties during non-working hours.
Importantly, the law prohibits employers from taking any adverse action against employees who choose to exercise this right.
Our Responsibilities as an Employer
At Iconic Care, we are dedicated to educating and training our Support Workers to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and compliance with all relevant registration and regulatory requirements. This is essential for maintaining our status as an NDIS service provider and delivering the highest level of support to our clients.
Casual Employment Updates
The legislation introduces key changes to casual employment, affecting its definition and management:
- Definition of Casual Employee: Casual status will now be determined by the practical reality of the employment relationship rather than just the employment contract. Casual employees must also receive casual loading.
- Conversion to Permanent Employment: Eligible casual employees now have the right to request conversion to permanent employment. Employers must respond to such requests within 21 days.
New Definition of Employment
The legislation introduces a revised definition of ‘employee’ and ‘employer’, now based on a comprehensive assessment of the employment relationship. This change will impact entitlements under the Act but will not affect areas like taxation or superannuation.
Our Commitment
We are actively reviewing and implementing these legislative changes to ensure full compliance. At Iconic Care, we remain committed to keeping our community informed and supported every step of the way.
For more details, please contact our team or visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for further information.
