Landmark deal for Clerks Award
The Australian Services Union and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), have agreed to lodge an application with the Fair Work Commission to amend the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2010.
Most non-profit organisations will engage staff under the Clerks Award.
ACCI Workplace Director Scott Barklamb said the deal was an”historic move during an unprecedented crisis”.
“This deal provides significant aid to a number of business in uncertain times, allowing more businesses to stay in business and keep more people in jobs. It is a practical, flexible, common-sense solution during the coronavirus pandemic.”
If approved, the deal will provide businesses with the flexibility they so desperately need at this time and help ensure employees are protected.
The application seeks to provide relief to business and employees during the pandemic by:
- Allowing employees and employers to agree to change ordinary hours of work whilst an employee is working at home. This will give employees expanded options to manage their job around family responsibilities without an employer facing additional costs for work being conducted out of usual business hours.
- Allowing a business with one weeks’ notice to direct an employee to take annual leave if it decides to close-down its operations.
- Increased flexibility in taking leave such as double leave at half-pay, where employers and employees agree.
- Allowing staff to work more flexibly across classifications, provided it is safe to do so and the employee has the necessary qualifications.
- Allowing employers to engage casual and part-time employees for shorter shifts.
- Giving employers flexibility to reduce hours for full and part-time staff, whilst allowing employees whose hours are reduced to take on another job or ask to engage in training or additional study.
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