In the News - February 2011

• From 1 January 2011, the definition of ‘small business’ for the purposes of unfair dismissal has changed. A small business employer is defined as someone who employs fewer than 15 employees. However, the way that this is calculated has now changed. This method of calculation is based on a simple headcount of the number of employees in the business, irrespective of how many hours they work. The headcount includes casuals employed on a regular and systematic basis and employees of associated entities. Under the National Fair Work system, if a small business employer terminates someone and they follow the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code, termination may not be regarded as an unfair dismissal.
• Employers have been urged to make young workers safer (in the workplace). The [NSW] Minister for Finance – Michael Daley recently advocated employers should provide a safe workplace as a well as appropriate levels of training and supervision as thousands of young workers prepare to enter the [NSW] workforce for the first time. Each year more than 50,000 school leavers commence full-time employment around Australia, and although workplace injuries [in NSW] are at their lowest levels in 20 years, last year 14 young workers were injured, while sadly 15 were killed on the job.
• As a part of the NSW 2010 State Budget, the Treasurer had announced changes to the rates of Payroll Tax payable. Prior the change, payroll tax was 5.65%. This reduced to 5.5% from the 1^st of July 2010. Effective the 1^st January 2011 the rate of payroll tax has further reduced to 5.45%;
• Changes have been made to Consumer Law specifically with regards to those Sales calls we all receive at home. Effective from the 1^st January 2011 Salespeople are not allowed to ‘door knock’ after 6pm weekdays, before 9am or after 5pm on Saturdays or at anytime on Sundays or Public Holidays.

For information on how any of these changes may affect your business, please contact us.