ACA CPD On Demand - Know Your Award 2021

This event was originally held 24 February 2021. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers presents an IR  and Award update.

The ACA continues to represent architectural employers on industrial relations matters, to keep members informed about changes that impact them, and to support architects to be fair and ethical employers. Our first webinar for the year will be a very timely presentation by our new industrial relations advisor, Tom Earls of Fair Work Lawyers.

Tom will cover the following topics and what they will mean for your practice. Corresponding learning outcomes are also included below.

1. Understanding the key changes to the Architects award in May 2020
An overview of the Architects award. This topic is essential for all Architects in a changing area of law and an ever-increasing focus on compliance. Casual employment has been at the forefront of industrial relations law for some years, this webinar will discuss the important award changes that have been made to the Architects award in particular the casual employment clauses.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the basic legal requirements of the Architects award
• Understand if legal advice should be sought regarding the potential changes and if any areas of liability may crystalize with the enactment of the Bill
• Understand the coverage of the Architects award

2. Understanding main changes to other awards arising from the review of modern awards
This topic will cover the close relationship the Architects award has with the Clerks award and other awards. Unbeknownst to many employers, their employees may be covered by more than one award, this topic covers the coverage of awards and changes to other relevant awards, including prospective changes to the Architects award.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the coverage of similar awards
• Be equipped to make changes to the workplace if and when changes to the Architects award are enacted

3. The current legislative environment and changes to casual employment

In 2020 the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia’s Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 (the Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives and is presently before a Senate Committee. This Bill will bring significant changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and related legislation. In particular, changes to the definition of causal employees, casual conversion, casual loading and a raft of other changes that will affect your business. 

Learning outcomes

• Understand what is meant by the terms: casual employee, casual conversion, casual loading, Better Off Overall Test, penalties under the Fair Work Act and transfer of business.
• Attendees should be able to identify when one of the alterations to the Fair Work Act will affect their business and seek legal advice

4. Moving forward with Covid-19 and the employer’s perspective on the vaccine
The COVID crisis continues to pose many challenges for employers, often involving areas of the laws that were largely unexplored until the pandemic. The next such challenge relates to employers mandating vaccines. This topic explores the WHS requirements and the employer’s obligations in this progressive area of law.

Learning outcomes

• Understand when an employer can direct an employee to be vaccinated
• Understand when an employee can refuse the vaccine
• How the Covid-19 emergency legislation will continue to affect their business

5. How your business can implement the above and comply with legal obligations
In this section, we discuss the key ways that your business can comply with all of the employee/employer obligations.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate an ability to apply the methods of discussed in this webinar to maintain compliance with the businesses legal obligations

6. Looking ahead at potential changes to the Fair Work Act
This final point will discuss what’s next in the work of industrial and workplace relations for the Fair Work Act and the associated legislation and legal principles that may be affected.

Learning outcomes

• Attendees should be able to identify when one of the alterations to the Fair Work Act will affect their business and seek legal advice
• Understand when certain legal changes may come into effect

Our Speaker

Tom Earls founded Fair Work Lawyers in 2014. He has been involved in IR and legal service for fifteen years, representing employees and employers, individually and collectively, in a variety of jurisdictions. Prior to commencing Fair Work Lawyers, Tom was the Legal and Workplace Services Manager for the Master Builders Association of South Australia from 2006–2014. During this time he was involved extensively in managing industrial relations issues in an often intense industrial environment. This included involvement in cutting edge cases and on all recent landmark construction projects in Adelaide. For more information see our website.

COST

Access to the recording and materials for this webinar is now available for purchase on demand. One ticket is required per attendee. Once you have made your booking you will receive a recording registration link, and subsequently presentation slides, CPD questions and sample answers.

Members - free*
Non-members $40

*Use your ACA website member login to access the discount code on the ACA website original event notice for your free ticket. Apply code at checkout.

**Please note that this webinar was originally held 24 February 2021.

CPD

Participation in this 1 hour webinar will deliver 1 formal CPD point. Instructions for receipt of a certificate of completion are included at the end of CPD questions.

Learning outcomes - Please see above.

Competencies

AACA NSCA : 9 Practice Management - 9.7 Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements and obligations in regard to architectural practice, practice management and registration as an architect.
APBSA Core Area: Practice Management

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