Employment Law and OH&S Jim Rutherford Employment Law and OH&S Jim Rutherford

Can Employers Make The Covid-19 Vaccine Mandatory In The Workplace?

As it currently stands, employers cannot force their employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

While the question of whether an employer can direct an employee to have the COVID-19 vaccine has not been answered by a court or tribunal, employers should consider these factors first before such a direction is given to employees.

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COVID-19 Company Admin Update

Further to our article here where we wrote about the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) guidance regarding annual general meetings and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Treasurer has released the Corporations (Coronavirus Economic Response) Determination (No 1) 2020 (Cth) (Determination), which commences on 6 May 2020 and will be automatically repealed on 5 September 2020.

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Family Law Tara Paatsch Family Law Tara Paatsch

Parenting arrangements and a Pandemic

The parenting arrangements for children of separated parents can be difficult to navigate at the best of times. So, what happens when a global pandemic is also a factor in these parenting arrangements?

Whilst there is no specific family law legislation to cover the current covid-19 crisis, if there are Family Law Orders in place with respect to your parenting arrangements, you must seek to comply with those Orders.

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Commercial Leasing Vittoria De Stefano Commercial Leasing Vittoria De Stefano

Government Announces details of COVID-19 mandatory commercial leasing Code

Over the last few weeks, landlords, tenants and their lawyers have been awaiting guidelines from the Government to assist in their lease negotiations. While further legislation is required from each of the States, the Prime Minister released the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct SME Commercial Leasing Principles During COVID-19 (Code) on 7 April 2020.

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Cancelled weddings and COVID-19

On 18 March 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released guidance on their expectations regarding weddings that are cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

First and foremost, the ACCC “expect” businesses to treat consumers “fairly” in connection with cancellation or refund requests resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.

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COVID-19 – changes to foreign investment review regime

On 29 March 2020 the Federal Government announced changes to the foreign investment review regime as Australia continues to deal with the economic implications of COVID-19.

Once the legislation is passed, effective from 29 March 2020, all proposed foreign investment into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 will require approval.

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COVID-19: ‘JobKeeper’ support payment

On 30 March 2020 the Federal Government announced further COVID-19 business support in the form of the JobKeeper Payment, which is intended to keep individuals connected with their employer and talks to the ‘hibernation’ of businesses already mentioned by the Prime Minister.

Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses significantly affected by Coronavirus outbreak will be able to access a $1,500 support payment per employee per fortnight for up to 6 months from the Government to continue paying their employees.

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