Employers have multiple obligations when it comes to starting new employees. A simple but potentially overlooked requirement is that of providing each new employee with a Fair Work Information Statement. New employees should receive this statement before or as soon as possible after they’ve commenced their new role.
Fair Work Information Statements are generally updated every 1 July, at a minimum, to reflect the new pay rates applicable under the Federal Minimum Wage.
As the Fair Work Information Statement is updated every year for 1 July, it’s important that employers update their new employee sign up information to reflect these changes. Fortunately, the Information Statement can be provided by electronic means, including via email or a link to the Fair Work website (as well as in person, by mail or fax), which helps to ensure the most current version of the Fair Work Information Statement is provided.
The Fair Work Information Statement covers information on topics employees should have an understanding of, including:
Minimum Rights and Entitlements
Minimum Pay Rates
Modern Awards
Enterprise Agreements
The National Employment Standards (NES)
If the Business you works for changes owners
Workplace Flexibility
Individual Flexibility Arrangements
Protection from Discrimination and Other Adverse Action
Ending Employment
Right of Entry
The Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Commission
As an employer, it’s also worth reviewing this 2 page document to become more familiar with these requirements. The Fair Work Information Statement should be provided to employees without any changes or edits to the document. If you have employees from a non-English speaking background, you can also provide the Fair Work Information Statement in over 30 languages.
You can find the latest Fair Work Information Statement via the Fair Work website.
If remembering to provide the Fair Work Information Statement is challenging, review your employee on-boarding processes to find a way to keep this obligation front of mind. Alternatively, you may find engaging a third-party, such as Workplace Central, to help you with your workforce or payroll management to be an ideal solution.
*This is general information only and doesn’t take your specific business circumstances into account.