FWC president proposes changes to current penalty rate system – Convenience & Impulse Retailing

Iain Ross, president of the Australian Fair Work Commission has suggested a payment schedule that he claims would simplify the payroll process for small businesses. Ross’s proposal would implement a higher hourly pay rate instead of proceeding with additional penalties for weekend hours. The current proposed legislation would also inflict a 100% penalty for Sunday hours, while organizations allied with Mr. Ross have suggested 50% instead.

Key Takeaways:

• FWC president, Iain Ross, suggested a loaded rates schedule, whereby employees receive a higher flat hourly rate
• The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said it believes such a regime would be of great benefit to small businesses
• The benchmarks set for the commission require the full bench to release the penalty rates decision by January 20, 2017.

“Speaking at the AFR Retail Summit in Melbourne last week, FWC president, Iain Ross, suggested a loaded rates schedule, whereby employees receive a higher flat hourly rate in place of penalty rates, with the rate negotiated between the worker and employer.”

http://c-store.com.au/2016/10/04/36504/