On 5 July 2017, the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision proposing to change some entitlements for casual and part-time employees in a number of awards. The proposed changes largely relate to a model casual conversion clause and minimum engagement periods.
Relevantly, the FWC decided that it was not necessary to alter the existing casual conversion clause in the Vehicle Manufacturing Repair Services and Retail Award 2010 (Award) to the proposed model casual conversion clause. This was on the basis that the existing clause achieved the modern awards objective with the FWC further stating that the evidence did not demonstrate that the existing casual conversion clause was ineffective.
However, it is important to note that the FWC does consider it necessary to introduce a casual minimum engagement period of 3 hours into the Award.
Please note that these changes aren’t finalised, so they don’t apply yet. The FWC has given interested parties until 2 August 2017 to make further submissions.
We will update members with more information when it applies. In the meantime, you can read the summary of the decision or full decision on the FWC’s website.
For more information on the proposed changes, please contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au.