NEW EMPLOYMENT LAWS FOR FARMERS
The NSW Farmers’ Association is advising its Members that new employment laws came into effect this week with the commencement of the Fair Work Act 2009.
NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie says under the new Act, new laws now exist for unfair dismissal, trade union rights of entry and collective bargaining for incorporated Members.
Under the new Act, which came into effect on 1 July, incorporated Members face many business law changes,” Mr Laurie said.
Unfair dismissal laws have changed for incorporated employers, with the small business exemption removed under the new Act. Effectively, this now means that all small businesses in NSW are now included in unfair dismissal laws – something that all Members need to be aware of,” Mr Laurie said.
Trade union rights of entry have also changed, said NSW Farmers’ Association Industrial Relations Sub-Committee Chair Andrew Forrest.
Under the Act, a trade union official holding a permit issued by Fair Work Australia may enter a workplace to investigate a suspected workplace breach or hold discussions with employees; provided they have given at least 24 hours notice to do so,” Mr Forrest said.
And collective bargaining has also undergone changes, with an emphasis under the Act on enterprise-level collective bargaining.
Individual agreements, such as Australian Workplace Agreements are not covered by the Act, although individuals may be able to vary some of their terms under collective agreements.
All of these are very important changes of which incorporated farming businesses need to be aware,” Mr Forrest said.
According to Mr Forrest, the Association is able to offer advice to all of its Members regarding changes to the Fair Work Act, particularly regarding the obligations of an employer when dismissing an employee. In addition, Industrial Relations Essentials Members receive free representation with their Membership in all unfair dismissal claims.
Members interested in finding out more about the Fair Work Act or Industrial Relations Essentials Membership are asked to contact the Association’s Industrial Relations division on 1300 794 000.
