Industrial Law…Payslips

Is your employer complying with the Fair Work Act and its regulations in providing payslips with the correct information.

Payslips are required to disclose:

• the employer’s name and ABN;

• the employee’s name;

• the date of payment and pay period;

• the gross and net amount of payment;

• any loadings, monetary allowances, bonuses, incentive based payments, penalty rates, or other separately identifiable entitlement paid;

• If the employee is paid an hourly pay rate, the ordinary hourly pay rate and the number of hours worked at that rate and the amount of payment made at that rate;

• If the employee is paid an annual rate of pay (salary), the rate as at the last day in the pay period;

• Any deductions made, including the name, or the name and number, of the fund or the account of each deduction including superannuation contributions for the benefit of the employee and the name and number of the fund.

Payslips maybe sent electronically to the employee provided it complies with the above and the employee agrees to such electronic posting.

Employers are also required to keep records of this information for at least seven years and a Fair Work Inspector has the right to inspect such records without any search warrant.

It is an offence not to comply with these requirements and an employee may be able to recover not only any back pay but may with the court’s approval recover the fine from the employer in some circumstances.

If you have questions on Industrial Law or anything else, please contact any of our solicitors at Matthews Williams.

Spring is upon us and it won’t be long before thoughts turn to summer and swimming, but is your pool safe?

Forbes Shire Council is urging residents to review their pool safety before summer arrives.

Forbes Shire Council’s Acting General Manager Max Kershaw said it was vital to ensure your pool has a compliant barrier. Pool gates need to be self-closing and the gap between the bottom of the barrier and the ground should be no more than 100mm.

“It is also very important that you check for bushes, vegetation and other climbable objects located in close proximity to the pool barrier and take appropriate action to reduce this risk,” said Max.

Portable and inflatable pools also have barrier requirements where they can be filled to a depth of 300mm or greater, however spas are exempt if they have a lockable cover.

Inadequate supervision is a factor in 59% of drownings and Max said supervision was vital to reducing drowning death.

“Pool barriers can and do reduce the risk but the most important safety measure is to ensure you are always supervising people in the pool, especially children,”Max said.

Local woman, Grace Allen was sashed as the new Forbes Showgirl last Friday night. However, she hasn’t had time to bask in the splendour of winning the title. Instead, Grace is already back on duty fulfilling her role as a nurse in ICU at the Orange Hospital.

Grace was born and bred in Forbes and lived on their family property until she moved to Orange for work. Her goals for the future are to complete the Critical Care program through Orange Health. She is also looking forward to give it her all as the proud representative of Forbes at the zone judging held next February in Blayney.

Grace entered the Showgirl competition to ensure that the event would continue in future and that one day her children could have the same experiences as what she did at the shows.

Whilst representing Forbes as the Miss Showgirl, Grace is looking forward to promoting the show and getting everyone excited about the 2018 Forbes Show. She is also eager to meet up with the other Showgirl ambassadors at the etiquette course in January.

 

 

 

 

The Climate Council is warning Australia’s 2017/18 bushfire season will be more severe and dangerous, as a result of worsening climate change, following the release of a new critical outlook this week. The Climate Council said the new Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC outlook is a smoke signal for yet another worrying bushfire season, highlighting a largely warm and dry winter that has set the scene for dangerous bushfire conditions over the coming months.

Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie said the latest southern Australia bushfire outlook, released, shows an earlier and more active bushfire season should be expected. “Climate change is the driving force behind southern Australia’s worsening bushfire conditions,” she said.

“As Australia’s pollution levels continue to rise, many parts of the country are poised to live through another dangerous bushfire season. Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, is intensifying extreme weather events – and bushfires are no exception.”

“We must rapidly and deeply reduce our rising pollution levels and continue the retirement of all coal power stations, in a bid to protect Australians from these worsening extreme weather events.”

McKenzie urged the Federal Government to follow the actions of state and local governments across the country, by rolling out climate and energy policy to support the transition to Australia’s clean energy future.

“The link between worsening extreme weather events and climate change is clear. Australia must act now to slash its rising pollution levels through clean, affordable and secure renewable energy and storage technology.”

For more information visit climatecouncil.org.au.

 

The opening of the 142nd Forbes Show kicks off today and once again there’s a full line-up to keep the whole family busy for the next two days.

After unfavourable weather conditions during last year’s show, the committee is determined to put on a bigger and better event this year.

Gates open at 9am where tickets can be purchased. The Show will be opened by local Tom Dwyer, winner of the 2017 Royal Sydney Show Legend Award.

The announcement of the new Forbes Showgirl and Commendation award winners will be done at the official opening of the show tonight at 7pm at the Grand Stand.

After this, make your way to the Main Arena, where the spectacular fireworks display will begin at 8pm followed with musical entertainment by local performers at the bar area. This is not to be missed!

There are scores of competitions in the show whereby entrants showcase their expertise, such as photography, needlework, Lego and cooking, to mention but just a few.

Look out for new sections in competitions. Flower exhibitors could enter the Class F4 People’s Choice section. This is an arrangement open to all where anything goes, giving the amateur flower arranger a chance to also have some fun. Vote for your favourite by noon tomorrow.

Making its first appearance this year and a definite must-see is the Farmers Challenge. Local farmers will be competing in teams of four at 5:30pm today in front of the Grand Stand. This promises to be a fun event!

The Forbes Show Car & Ute Show n Shine competition has also added six new sections for participants. Entries will take place tomorrow from 9 till 11am and the judging starts at 12pm. Entry fee is $10 for two categories and sub categories on the day. Trophies and show ribbons will be awarded on the day. For more information contact Leah 0410 355 388.

If you are looking for some entertainment for the children, there are magic shows scheduled at 12 noon, 2:30 and 4pm todayand again tomorrow at 9:30, 11:30am and 1pm at the Grand Stand. Also something the family will enjoy is the reptile show at 1pm tomorrow followed by the Grand Parade at 2:15pm.

For those who would like to enter for the Miss Teenage, Miss Junior Showgirl, Miss Tiny Tots and Master Stockman, registration will be tomorrow at 11:30am at the front of the Grand Stand area. The winners will be announced at 2:30pm.

For more information about the show or what’s happening visit the Facebook page Forbes Show NSW or go to www.forbesshow.com.

By Gizell van Wyk

Two students from Forbes High School have leaped into the State Athletics Carnival to be held in Homebush this weekafter qualifying at the Western Combined High School Athletics carnival in Dubbo recently.

Year 8 student Tyrone Clothier and vice captain Elysse Girot-Serplet have qualified in high jump and long jump respectively.

Tyrone qualified first in high jump in his age division, while Elysse qualified second in long jump in her age division. This is a first for both students and a fantastic result for Forbes High School, which had eight students attend the Western CHS Athletics carnival in Dubbo this year.

Students were given an extra boost with the school being successful in obtaining a grant through Charles Sturt University’s Rural and Regional Sports Development Program.

The funding supported the cross country and athletic competitors with travel this year to Western and State competitions. With distance and travel a challenge for many students in regional, rural and remote schools, this funding has been immensely helpful to students and families in providing opportunities and helping to reduce travel costs for families and students attending these events.

“Having two students reach state level for athletics is a fantastic achievement for our students and our school. Tyrone and Elysse should be extremely proud of what they have achieved so far,” relieving Principal Jason Nottingham said.