Two issues continue to dominate the employment law headlines: Covid-19 and workplace vaccination policies and wages underpayment and financial statement misrepresentation. Employers, employees and unions are grappling with both issues while the Fair Work Ombudsman is ever vigilant in investigating instances of underpayment and enforcing the relevant law. Several companies, including not-for-profits, have entered into enforceable undertakings.
Determining whether someone is an employee, or an independent contractor continues to exercise the courts while employers must also come to grips with a new framework for dealing with workplace sexual harassment and ever changing OH&S requirements.
Important legislative and policy developments need to be understood, such as the report of the senate inquiry into unlawful underpayment of employees’ remuneration as well as actions being undertaken by the states.
Accountants need to be up to date with the latest developments for the sake of their own businesses and those of their clients. Auditors need to be aware of employment law as it affects audit risk and their obligations under the NOCLAR ethical rules and ASA 250 Consideration of Laws and Regulations in an Audit of a Financial Report.
