Individual Flexibility Agreements: Bending Backwards Without Bending The Rules

You may have noticed that ‘flexibility’ has become the new buzz word for Australian workplaces. Most of the popular focus has been on the benefits that flexibility provides to workers, rather than employers. As an employer, you may only just be keeping up with all of the day-to-day issues that come with employing someone such […]
Accountants now liable for Fair Work breaches made by clients

The Fair Work Ombudsman has won its first case against an accountant being ‘knowingly involved’ in the workplace breaches of his client. The accountant could now face up to $357,000 in penalties, as though he committed the breaches himself. Find out what you can do to avoid this problem.
ESS – The ‘start-up’ concession

What is the ESS ‘start-up’ concession and how do employees qualify for it? If you are receiving shares or share options from your employer, you need to know how and when they will be taxed. This article covers when an employee is eligible for the ESS ‘start-up’ concession to reduce the tax they must pay.
ESS – How do you work out the ‘discount’ when you grant an interest under an ESS?

When setting up an ‘employee share scheme’ (ESS), employers often grapple with the tax implications of issuing ESS interests. However, these concerns only arise if there is a ‘discount’ at the time the ESS interest is granted. Working out if there is a discount, and what the extent of the discount is, are therefore two critical threshold questions.
ESS – Qualifying for ‘deferral’ of the taxable discount

How do you qualify to defer any tax otherwise payable on shares and options acquired under an employee share scheme? When does the deferral come to an end?
You’re hired! Strategies to improve your recruitment process

One of the most expensive aspects of running a business is paying employees. But just as great employees can be a real asset, underperforming employees can be a real drain on resources. Hiring employees is all about choosing people who are going to add value to your business. While there is no exact formula, there […]
Critical clauses in employment contracts

In this article, we will discuss some of the critical clauses that are often missing from basic employment documents. We will cover what each critical clause does and why it is important, and the potential consequences of not including the clause in your employment documents.
Fixed term contracts masterclass

In Australia, there are 3 main types of employment contracts: permanent (full-time or part-time), casual, and fixed term (whether full-time or part-time). This article focuses on fixed term contracts.
Employers guide to managing sexual harassment in the workplace

Sexual harassment can cost a business dearly in terms of lost productivity, staff turnover, recruitment costs, legal fees and court awarded damages. Two recent court cases have shown us that courts are now prepared to make increasingly large awards to compensate victims of sexual harassment. Here we give you the tools to identify sexual harassment in the workplace, and provide the steps you need to take to prevent it.
Are you handing your clients to your ex-employees and key-competitors on a platter?

LinkedIn and other social media networking sites have their uses, and can be good for ‘profile’ building. But the question is – can you afford to lose control of your business contacts and spend time building value for another business, the social media site?