The Fair Work Commission has refused to award compensation to a hotel worker who would not agree to a temporary reduction in hours, despite finding that she was unlawfully stood down. The Commission maintained she failed to “share the burden of the pandemic.”

The Victorian Government is undertaking reform to improve its waste and recycling process and adopt circular economy policies and principles. Announced last year, 'Recycling Victoria: A new economy' is the 10-year policy and action plan that will reduce waste, increase recycling and create more value from our resources. The Victorian Chamber encourages members in the manufacturing and hospitality industries to have their say on the reform by completing a short survey.

The Fair Work Commission has confirmed a company’s rejected request for an employee to return to full-time hours was consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code and did not warrant an unfair dismissal.

Grab your family, grab your friends, and grab your workmates - it’s time to celebrate and enjoy our state again! The Victorian Chamber was delighted by today’s State Government announcement that it will lift the majority of restrictions across the state which will give all our businesses the best chance to roar back.

Over the last 20 months, Victorian Chamber members and the business community have been vocal in their desire to be part of the solution to managing the health and economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Victorian Chamber is delighted to extend an invitation to our members and clients to participate in a design workshop to help identify innovative and practical education approaches to improve equality in the workplace.

One cyber security incident is reported every eight minutes, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), underscoring the urgency for businesses to protect themselves online.

We know business and workers need to do their bit to manage and slow the spread of COVID-19. Every business should: have a COVIDSafe plan; provide hand sanitiser; regularly clean high-touch surfaces; comply with rules regarding vaccination; ensure staff wear face masks where required; and use QR codes. In addition, some businesses must conduct COVID-19 surveillance tests and some are recommended to implement a testing scheme.

Enterprise bargaining can be an intimidating and tiring task. Make sure you invest time in planning and developing your bargaining strategy before you begin the process.

As Victoria emerges from COVID-19 and business confidence returns, there has never been a better time to take on an apprentice or trainee - a crucial pathway to kickstart our economy post-pandemic and secure talent for Victoria’s future workforce.

How good was it seeing our state roar back to life over the weekend? It was so exciting to see crowds at events and smiles on the faces of so many as they celebrated Victoria’s reopening over the past few days.

The Victorian Chamber in partnership with the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions has launched the Victorian COVIDSafe Business Awards to recognise and reward Victorian businesses that have put an enormous amount of hard work and effort in responding to the pandemic through COVIDSafe measures.

The Fair Work Commission has determined an employee’s dismissal was unfair despite finding the staff member guilty of engaging in sexual harassment.

After enduring the world’s longest lockdown and inconsistent periods of extended closures, Victorian businesses are ready to leave the last two, difficult years behind them as they begin reopening under COVID-Normal conditions.

With vaccination numbers increasing daily and lockdown lifting, businesses are starting to consider what an end-of-year celebration may look like in 2021. It is expected many will take the opportunity to catch-up in-person, either on the worksite or by supporting their local restaurants or pubs.

With the hospitality and retail sectors in the process of reopening their doors and workplaces welcoming staff back to their offices in coming weeks, focus has shifted to how businesses should request and handle COVID-19 vaccine certificates and vaccination information.