COVID-19 Changes To JobKeeper Scheme For No Longer Eligible Employers

In April we advised of the temporary changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 to help employers who qualify for the JobKeeper scheme.  These temporary changes allowed for temporary and partial stand downs, temporarily altering of employees’ usual duties and locations of work, and for employers and employees to agree on altering an employee’s days and times of work and leave in certain circumstances.

So now that some businesses will cease the JobKeeper scheme at the end of September these provisions will no longer apply.

However, within the JobKeeper extension Bill, it looks like there will be a continuation of provisions for employers that no longer qualify for the JobKeeper Scheme come the end of September.  It is believed that for these employers that can prove their turnover fell at least 10% against a relevant quarter last year will still be able to reduce employees’ hours of up to 40%.  They will need to provide employees with 7 days’ notice of the changes and can not be reduced less than 2 hours per day.  These changes will be effective until March 2021, in line with the JobKeeper scheme.

We will advise of the final legislative changes once the information comes to hand.

If you require advice on these provisions or further assistance with the management of your staff during this time, please let us know.    We are here to help.  We remain available via email or phone – leisa.messer@hrbd.com.au or 0401 271 616 | 07 3890 2066.

The Team at HR Business Direction