Several modern awards have been significantly varied by the Fair Work Commission (‘FWC’) to grant businesses and employees temporary measures to preserve the ongoing viability of businesses and jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave flexibility that has varied over 99 awards since 8 April 2020, the NSW Government has inserted provisions in the Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW) relating to pandemic leave. Employers should become familiar with these important industry award changes which we will outline below.
Changes to Modern Awards in 2020
The Tranche 2 awards, including the following listed below, have been finalised and will come into effect from the 29 May 2020. In addition to unpaid pandemic leave, the following changes have been inserted that are temporary and will be reviewed on 30 June 2020:
1. Clerks — Private Sector Award 2010
Operational flexibility: employees can be asked by their employers to do any tasks that they have skill and competency for, even if they are not in their usual classification or normal work, given that the employee has the appropriate licenses and qualifications. If an employee is told to work above their usual classification for more than one day, they must be compensated by being paid at a higher rate.
Work from home agreements: Part-time employees can agree to have minimum engagements reduced from 3 hours per shift to 2 hours. Casual employees can agree to be paid for a minimum 2 hours’ work shift instead of 3 hours.
Ordinary hours change while working at home: Agreements can be made to allow employees to work between 6am to 11pm on Monday to Friday, and 7am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
Reduced hours: Any employee who has had their hours reduced can ask their employer for permission to find more work with another employer and/or access training, professional development and study leave through their employer.
See determination for further information.
2. Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 and Restaurant Industry Award 2010
Operational flexibility: An employee can perform any duties within their skill and competency provided that they are licensed and qualified to perform them. Employees engaged to perform higher duties must be compensated at a higher rate than their ordinary classification.
Working hours: An employer may direct a full-time employee to work an average of between 22.8 and 38 ordinary hours per week and be paid on a pro-rata basis. An employer may direct a part-time employee to work an average of between 60% and 100% of their guaranteed hours per week (over the roster cycle).
Annual Leave: An employer may, subject to considering an employees’ personal circumstances, direct the employee to take annual leave with 24 hours notice.
See determination for the Hospitality Industry Award and the determination for the Restaurant Industry Award.
3. Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award
Temporary reduced hours: An employer may issue a notice of intention in writing to direct an employee to reduce their ordinary hours by up to 25%. The direction will come into effect 5 days after the notice of intention was issued and will remain in force for a period of no more than 12 weeks.
Operational flexibility: An employee can perform any duties within their skill and competency provided that they are licensed and qualified to perform them. Employees engaged to perform higher duties must be compensated at a higher rate than their ordinary classification.
Other awards that have been varied include the Rail Industry Award, Contract Call Centres Awards and Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award. See what other awards have changed in 2020 here.
Considerations for Employers
Employers must be aware of their changing obligations surrounding unpaid pandemic leave and any other laws, such as those relating to the JobKeeper subsidy. The greater flexibility in relation to job roles and duties, work hours and leave under some awards is a positive development towards enabling businesses to meet the challenges caused by the pandemic. However, employers must proceed with caution to ensure that their work agreements comply with these award variations.
Further Information
For further assistant on any matter relating to work from home policies or any workplace matter, please contact one of our experience employment and litigation solicitors on 02 9963 9800 or [email protected].