The report was conducted with input from small business owners across New South Wales and Victoria to assist the FWC as part of its four yearly reviews of modern awards.
RLC welcomes the response from small business regarding the accessibility of modern awards documents, providing the FWC with suggestions relating to the language, length and look of the documents.
Fair Work Commission President Justice Iain Ross commented that, “the small business owners in the study made it clear that what they needed was a document that they could rely upon for correct information in relation to wages and entitlements.”
RLC believes that this is also applicable for employees in situations requiring them to clarify the information provided by their employers, with regard to their wage and entitlements.
The RLC employment service has assisted many clients who are covered by modern awards, who have sought out our service to seek advice on their wages and entitlements. In some cases, RLC has had to identify the relevant modern award for our client, undertaking a review of their employment contract and work duties.
In a recent example, one of RLC’s clients sought advice regarding recovery of termination pay in lieu of notice. RLC found that the modern award covering our client protected the employer from paying to the employee all monies relating to the stipulated termination pay, as our client had not stated the relevant notice period in their resignation letter.
RLC was able to clarify this situation for the client. However, without this assistance it would have been very difficult for the client to interpret the provisions of the modern award relating to termination pay.
RLC will continue to advocate for modern award documents to be more accessible for all employers and employees.
