This SAWIA Notice outlines what you need to do about any existing casual employees you hire in the vineyard & what you need to do in future when hiring casual employees.
In a controversial decision the Full Federal Court has held that a casual employee employed by a labour hire company in the mining industry in fact is not a casual employee, but a permanent employee and therefore entitled to paid annual leave. (Workpac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018]) This decision is relevant to all employers engaging casual employees, regardless of industry and regardless of whether the relevant Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement provides for casual conversion. The decision means that employers cannot simply rely on the use of the term “casual employee” in their relevant contract (verbal or written), Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement, but must ensure that a person engaged as a casual works in a way that meets the characteristics of a casual employee at all times. FACTS OF THE CASE The employee was engaged as a casual fly in, fly out worker by a labour hire firm in the mining industry for two periods totalling two years. The following key facts were established:
MEANING OF CASUAL EMPLOYMENT The Court held that the definition of “casual employment” included in a Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement is not the appropriate mechanism to determine whether an employee, in reality, is casual. Instead, whether an employee is casual is based on an overall assessment of the key characteristics of casual employment. Key characteristics of casual employment, includes:
This means that an employee engaged and paid as a casual employee under the Wine Industry Award 2010, but where the characteristics point to permanent employment, will be held to be a permanent employee and not a casual employee. Find out what you should be doing about protecting your business when it comes to your existing casual employees and any casual employees that you will be taking on for vintage 2019. Give Henrik or Sarah a call or attend one of SAWIA's upcoming sessions in Barossa on 5 December 2018 and McLaren Vale on 6 December. The session is great for anyone who has responsibility for employing or managing casuals (including rostering). Find out more here. FURTHER INFORTMATION AND ADVICE For further information and advice, please contact either of the following: - Henrik Wallgren: 8222 9270 or [email protected] - Sarah Hills on 8222 9212 or [email protected] Comments are closed.
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