National Employment Standards

From 1 January 2010 employers are required to meet the new National Employment Standards (NES) to ensure that all workplaces remain fair. These new standards work in conjunction with your employment agreement or relevant award… at least perhaps until the next federal election!

So what are the entitlements? For full-time (pro-rata if you’re part-time) permanent staff:

Maximum weekly hours – 38 hours per week plus any reasonable additional hours.

Request for flexible working arrangements - Parents or carer of a child under school age or under 18 with a disability can request for flexible working arrangements.

Personal / Carer’s Leave and Compassionate Leave – 10 days paid personal / carer’s leave, two days unpaid carer’s leave as required. Two days compassionate leave as required.

Parental Leave – Up to 12 months unpaid leave and the right to request an additional 12 months unpaid leave.

Annual Leave – 4 weeks paid leave per year. In some cases an additional week for shift workers which will be specified in the relevant award.

Long Service Leave – A transitional entitlement for employees with Long Service Leave existing before 1 January 2010.

Public Holidays – A paid day off on public holidays with the exception where reasonably requested to work.

Community Service Leave – Unpaid leave for voluntary emergency activities and an entitlement to be paid for up to 10 days jury duty.

Termination and Redundancy pay – Up to 4 weeks notice of termination (longer if aged over 45) and up to 16 weeks of redundancy pay, both based on length of service.

Fair Work Information Statement – All employers must provide this statement to all new employees.

For more information please visit www.fairwork.gov.au