Employer newsletter: Get ready for the Annual Wage Review

The Fair Work Commission is currently reviewing the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages to decide if they should be increased. [] Having issues? [View the online version]( [Australian Government - Fair Work Ombudsman]( In this issue [Get ready for the Annual Wage Review]( [Closing Loopholes changes]( [Online learning courses for managers]( [Employee performance appraisals coming up]( [Helping working parents plan for what they can]( Hi {NAME}, Get ready for the Annual Wage Review The Fair Work Commission is currently reviewing the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages to decide if they should be increased. This is known as the [Annual Wage Review](. Any changes to minimum wages will generally come into effect on 1 July. Once the Commission has made their decision, we’ll work on updating our information, pay tools and resources. This includes updates to the [Fair Work Information Statement]( to include the new national minimum wage from 1 July. Make sure you’ve set your [subscription preferences]( so we can keep you updated. Closing Loopholes changes We've recently updated our info about changes to workplace laws with a new [dedicated section]( on our website.  Online learning courses for managers As an employer or small business owner, it’s important for you and your managers to maintain a harmonious and high-performing workplace. Our suite of free [online courses]( cover a range of skills and strategies to help you do just that. They include: - Having difficult conversations in the workplace - Promoting diversity and preventing discrimination - People management skills and building a high-performing workforce - Hiring employees. If you’re interested in hosting these courses for your staff or members, we offer free [deployment of our online courses]( through most learning platforms. Employee performance appraisals coming up As the end-of-financial year approaches, your workplace might be preparing for employee performance appraisals. Now is a good time to assess your performance management system and processes. Every workplace can enjoy the benefits of taking a best practice approach to [managing performance](. These can include higher levels of employee engagement and avoiding legal disputes. Our performance management [best practice guide]( and [templates and checklists]( can help you to identify, address and minimise underperformance. In this issue [Get ready for the Annual Wage Review]( [Closing Loopholes changes]( [Online learning courses for managers]( [Employee performance appraisals coming up]( [Helping working parents plan for what they can](     Are you an employer in the horticulture industry? There are rules about when you can take money out of an employee’s pay. We’ve got info about when [deductions for accommodation, transport and job finding]( are and aren’t allowed.     Superannuation rules in awards Awards have now been updated to reflect [superannuation as an entitlement under the National Employment Standards (NES)](. This means that most employees covered by the NES can take court action under the Fair Work Act to recover unpaid or underpaid superannuation.     Strengthen your small business The ATO also provides free, self-paced [online courses]( to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed for your business to thrive. The courses are designed to help you meet FBT and GST requirements, as well as claiming deductions you’re entitled to.     Client cancellation in the home care and disability services industry Check the [client cancellation rules in the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award]( so you can provide the correct employee entitlements when a service is cancelled.     Latest news - [$4 million penalties for Taiwanese restaurant operators]( - [On the Run Enforceable Undertaking]( - [University of Melbourne penalty for taking adverse action]( - [IAG Enforceable Undertaking]( Helping working parents plan for what they can [Parents-to-be and working parents]( have workplace entitlements before, during and after [parental leave](. You can support them on their journey into parenthood and their return to work by understanding those entitlements. This means you’ll know how to answer common questions and help your workplace stand out from the rest. We have free resources that can help, including our: - Unpaid parental leave employer [checklist]( - Parental leave [best practice guide]( & [fact sheet]( - Flexible working arrangement request [response templates]( - [Working parent FAQs](.   [Copyright](  | [Disclaimer](  | [Privacy](  | [Unsubscribe](     [Twitter](    [LinkedIn](    [Facebook](    [Instagram]( [www.fairwork.gov.au](