The JobKeeper scheme has been amended to support the implementation and operation of the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. These changes are temporary and will end on 28 September 2020.
As we already know the JobKeeper scheme helps employers significantly affected by coronavirus to keep paying their employees, by providing a subsidy administered by the Australian Tax Office. The changes also give eligible employers the ability to give certain directions to and make agreements with their eligible employees to help manage their business.
Recent amendments have been made with unpaid pandemic leave & annual leave.
The Fair Work Commission has added a temporary new schedule into 99 awards to provide greater flexibility during the coronavirus pandemic.
The temporary schedule gives employees:
– 2 weeks of unpaid pandemic leave
– the ability to take twice as much annual leave at half their normal pay if their employer agrees
The schedule applies from an employee’s first full pay period on or after 8 April 2020 until 30 June 2020.
The Fair Work Commission has also made other temporary changes to some awards to provide more flexibility during the coronavirus outbreak.
For more details of the recent updates, view the website.
The Fair Work Commission is also in the process of carrying out its annual review of minimum wages. A decision is expected sometime in June.
With the restrictions easing, Safe Work Australia provides a hub of work health and safety guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to manage health and safety risks related to COVID-19.
We look forward to getting back in the office from June.