In the News

• Fair Work Australia (FWA) has ruled that an employer was entitled to terminate a worker who didn’t comply with a request for details of his extended sick leave and plans for returning to work. The worker went on sick leave in June 2009 until his employment was terminated in November 2009 despite him providing a number of medical certificates covering two-to-four week periods, all of which said his absence was due to “a medical condition”. FWA noted that the employer knew the worker was unwell but didn’t have any more information. It had taken reasonable steps to get a fuller picture and to find out when the worker might return to work, but had been thwarted by his reluctance to answer its questions. FWA concluded that the whole situation could have been avoided if the worker had contacted the employer, or had his carer do so. In these circumstances, the dismissal was not harsh, unjust or unreasonable;
• The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its report on the Average Weekly Earnings for the 12 month period to May 2010.   This report shows that employee ordinary time earnings have increased by 5.8% (for males) and 4.9% (for females). Movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by both changes in the level of earnings per employee and changes in the composition of the labour force. When combining the weekly earnings across both private and public sectors, earnings have increased [overall] by 5.6% with a wage of $1,256.30 for full time adult worker;
• The NSW Government is again promoting Small Business September! This is an annual month-long program of workshops, seminars, expos, awards, launches, competitions, webinars and forums which focus on building support and rewarding the hard work of the 650,000 small businesses in NSW. With the theme of "Connect for profit", this year's month-long salute to Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will proudly maintain the mantle of Australia's longest running, most comprehensive collection of events solely for small businesses. Workshops, seminars (real-time and virtual) and special events scheduled during the month address important issues for small firms including leadership, marketing, cashflow management, information technology and much more. To learn more about Small Business September 2010 or to register for events call 1300 661 539 or visit the following website: www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au
• Workers compensation premiums in NSW have fallen to their lowest level in 10 years, delivering a potential $65 million saving to the State’s employers. As from 30 June 2010, many new and renewed premiums will be up to 2.5 per cent cheaper – benefiting more than 161,000 employers, or 55 per cent of employers who have shown sustained improvement in work health and safety, injury prevention and management;