Did you know that every new employee in Australia must be given a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement 2019 (FWIS)? Regardless of their role or employment type, it must be given to the employee before, or as soon as possible after they start their new job. Failure to provide the FWIS to employees is in breach of your obligations as an employer.
If you have an onboarding checklist for new employees, add the Fair Work Information Statement to the list. You can email, mail, fax or hand the statement to your new employees.
Tip: we recommend you ask new employees to sign that they have received the FWIS – then keep the signature on their employment file as proof.
The purpose of the Fair Work Information Statement is to empower employees with information about their employment rights and how to find more information. It includes summarised information on:
- Rights and entitlements
- Minimum pay rates
- Modern awards – how to find them
- Enterprise Agreements
- The National Employment Standards – work hours, right to request flexible work hours, leave, termination etc.
- Change of owners,
- Workplace flexibility
- Discrimination
- Ending employment
- Right of entry
- The Fair Work Ombudsman and Commission
In line with the increase to the national minimum award rates set from 1 July 2019 and the Full Federal Court decision around accruing and taking paid personal/carer’s leave on 21 August 2019, the Fair Work Information Statement has been updated.
For your convenience we have a PDF Fair Work Information Statement ready for you to download and keep on file.
Click here: Fair-Work-Information-Statement Jan 2020 (extracted from Fair Work 13 January 2020)
Always ensure that you’re using the most up to date statement for your employees. Go to the Fair Work website for the latest information.
For more help with onboarding employees and managing payroll, speak with one of our knowledgeable team members by calling 1300 043 327 or drop a line here.
