Workplaces are always evolving and last year was a big year in employment and industrial law. So, what are some of the emerging workplace trends for 2024?
Leading Australian Barrister Ian Neil SC says these are the biggest emerging workplace trends he sees in 2024:
The right to disconnect
Many Australians are calling for the right to properly “switch off” and not have to take emails and calls after work hours. “Right to disconnect laws” already exist in France, Germany and Italy
The return-to-work tug of war
Many employers are pushing for employees to be back in the office this year. Can employees refuse?
The Government’s Closing Loopholes Bill
Under the bill the Fair Work Commission will be given the power to set minimum standards for hundreds of thousands of “employee-like workers” on digital platforms from 1 July 2024. The bill also includes requirements to pay labour hire the same as direct employees, increasing penalties for wage underpayments and enabling casual with regular shifts the ability to ask their employers to convert them to permanent after six months.
Three years on from the release of the Respect@Work Report
A positive duty for all employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate workplace sexual harassment and other harmful conduct has been introduced. Employers will be held legally responsible for failing to proactively take steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
