Business Chamber Queensland | IR Alert
IR Reforms Bill update, plus share your insight.
| Thursday, September 28, 2023 Business Chamber Queensland’s IR Alert provides members with valuable information on important employment relations and workplace matters.
In this edition, you will find valuable information on: - The recently introduced IR Reforms agenda, and an update on the Bill
- Positive Obligation Duties for Employers and new AHRC Powers from 12 December
- Resources for your business, including upcoming IR Reforms Business Briefing webinars and Workforce Evolve, a new and free e-learning platform for all Queensland employers
The IR Alert is a member-only benefit from the Workplace Advisory Services team. | |
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| IR Reforms Bill update, plus share your insight | |
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| The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2003 (“Bill”) has been referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for review and reporting.
The Committee has the role of reviewing the Bill, the impact and cost, and to seek and consider submissions from interested parties.
The Education and Employment Legislation Committee is due to report on the Bill on 1 February 2024. This date is later than first expected and provides a longer lead time for preparing our response to the Bill.
Share your business insight
We’re working to ensure Queensland businesses are at the forefront of Industrial Relations reforms and the Federal Government has clear information about the potential impact on the state’s employers.
It’s critical Queensland business insight is included in this advocacy.
Lend your valuable business perspective via our IR Reforms Queensland Business Impact Survey. It will only take you 5 minutes and your contribution will make a significant impact on how we advocate for your business needs.
IR Reforms Working Group
If you are interested in being part the Business Chamber Queensland IR Reforms Working Group, please contact Joanna Minchinton, General Manager - Workplace Services viaemail.
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| Positive Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment: what does this mean for employers? | |
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| The Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Cth) ('the Act’) came into effect on 12 December 2022, and amended both the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth).
Notably, the Act made several changes such as: - Introducing a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate:
- Workplace sex discrimination, sexual and sex-based harassment;
- Hostile work environments on the grounds of sex; and
- Certain acts of victimisation, as far as possible.*
- Allowing the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to monitor and assess compliance with the positive duty.
*Collectively this is referred to as unlawful conduct.
Why is this Important?
From 12 December 2023, the AHRC’s new regulatory powers, which pertain to investigation and enforcement, will commence. These powers will enable the AHRC to investigate employers who are reasonably suspected of non-compliance with the positive duty requirements referred to earlier.
If, as a result of their investigation, the AHRC determines an employer is not complying with their positive duty obligations, a written notice may be issued. Another power of the AHRC will include applying to the federal courts for an order which directs compliance with the written notice. | |
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| Workforce Evolve – Have you started yet? | |
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| We know attracting and retaining suitably qualified staff is one of the most significant business priorities. Through Workforce Evolve learn how to look at talent differently to unlock a new segment of the workforce through inclusive employment practices.
Workforce Evolve is Business Chamber Queensland's free eLearning program to help employers think differently about who you employ and how to retain them now and into the future. Designed by business for business, Workforce Evolve provides content via six online modules and includes free workforce coaching to support you to think about workplace practices differently, begin to implement change or to focus on a specific area.
Workforce Coaches are available for a one-hour session after each module is completed. That's six hours of free coaching!
The program is free, and open to any employer in Queensland REGISTER HERE to learn how to unlock a new segment of jobseekers.
This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government Workforce Connect Fund. | |
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| IR Reforms Webinar Series | |
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| | | | | | Date: Thursday, 5 October
Time: 9:00am to 9:30am
Zoom Webinar |
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| | | | | | Date: Thursday, 12 October
Time: 9:00am to 9:30am
Zoom Webinar |
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| We are available to assist you | |
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| Business Chamber Queensland members with workplace services included in their membership, and who require further information and guidance on employment matters are encouraged to contact the Workplace Advisory Services Team:
Phone 1300 135 822
Email advice@businesschamberqld.com.au
The team is available and ready to assist.
Other members and non-members can also access advice and assistance from the team, however a consultancy fee will apply. | |
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| Our advisors can help you with information about WorkCover claims, how to handle returning to work, case reviews and appeals processes, and more. We can also help you understand the steps in the process, where to find relevant information and who to speak to at different points along the way.
Our service is available to all Queensland employers through this website and by calling 1300 365 855 and speaking with an advisor or emailing workcoverinfo@businesschamberqld.com.au
As part of Business Chamber Queensland’s free workers' compensation information service to Queensland employers, Business Chamber Queensland has made available free resources to assist employers who are preparing the return to work process for an employee. Contactworkcoverinfo@businesschamberqld.com.au for details. | |
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