COVID-19 Employment Law

On 9 April 2020, the Commonwealth Government made fundamental changes to the Fair Work Act giving effect to its JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme. Around 6 million workers will receive a minimum payment of $1,500 per fortnight through their employer.

David Chin SC and Christopher Parkin, together with Ian Neil SC, have published a “Guide to the JobKeeper Scheme”. You can download a copy here.

David Chin SC also spoke about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regulation of employment to the ABC:

Does coronavirus mean your boss can make you take a pay cut, do a different role or work more hours? – ABC 21 April 2020;

and to the Australian Financial Review (access to these articles requires a subscription to the AFR):

“JobKeeper rules flaw may be used to coerce employees” – AFR 15 April 2020;

“More KPMG jobs at risk if staff opt out of pay cut” – AFR 14 April 2020.

Published On : April 9, 2020