Thursday, 17 September 2015

The Standard Employment Contract: A Cautionary Tale




 

It really is a case of ‘buyer beware’ with many business owners downloading or buying standard employment contracts and templates online in an effort to save time and money.

 

Small businesses with limited human resources training are turning to Google and other search engines instead of an employment lawyer.

 

Unfortunately, these standard templates are often outdated and in contravention of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

 

Some documents offer less benefits than the employee is entitled to receive and do not provide an employer with adequate protection from breach of contract or unfair dismissal claims.

 

The implication for employers includes the risk of penalties of up to $50,000 by the Fair Work Commission for breaching the minimum National Employment Standards.

 

An employment contract should provide employees with the correct leave entitlements and include all important details such as location and hours of work as well as notice requirements in the event of termination.

 

A properly drafted contract will ensure both parties are fully aware of their rights and in relation to leave entitlements and their obligations at the end of the employment relationship. 

 

Do the right thing by your business and your employees and contact an employment lawyer to review your employment contracts and ensure your business is protected from penalties.


 

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