The State and Federal Governments have announced a further $2.27 billion in grants and financial support to assist Victorian businesses and workers struggling through the final weeks of lockdown.

I had a close friend message me from London on the weekend, as he sat comfortably in a coffee shop on Regent Street.

More than 1300 businesses across all sectors, sizes and regions provided feedback to the Victorian Chamber on the State Government’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan and viewpoints on vaccination conditions. Here are the results.

Given the numerous lockdowns, restrictions and uncertainty faced by employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are finding themselves carrying the financial burden of increasing leave accrual - or, in a position where they are struggling to cover gaps due to long-term absences. Understanding leave entitlements and what an employer can and cannot do in this space is vital. The Victorian Chamber encourages businesses to act now to ensure responsibilities and obligations are understood.

Sunday was not the news we wanted. The roadmap fell short: short of hope, short of NSW and short of where we need to be moving to as a state.

No matter your business, solar power helps. Hear how three businesses from different sectors benefitted from making the change.

Are you a small or medium-sized business struggling to pay the rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic? There’s still time to qualify for the retrospective part of the latest round of the State Government’s Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme.

Working from home doesn’t mean workplace conflict is a thing of the past. In fact, statistics show it is on the rise. Managing conflict quickly and making the most of virtual tools will help reduce ongoing disputes and legal risks.

The Fair Work Commission has found a childcare centre unfairly dismissed an employee when it casually sent the staff member a “notice of non-renewal” via email with no prior warning.

Working to conquer ‘invisible barriers’ and the challenges faced by job seekers from diverse backgrounds, not-for-profit organisation JobsBank continues to successfully drive change and uphold a commitment to increasing employer inclusivity and fill workforce gaps.

The Fair Work Commission has found an employee accused of stealing a cake was unfairly dismissed.

Victorian business needs certainty and clarity on the plan for our state’s COVID-19 recovery. The Victorian Chamber has formulated a detailed four-phase roadmap to provide that light on the hill for business, workers, the economy and communities.

Well, there was a welcome shifting of narrative late last week, and we are now clearly focused on a vaccination-based opening. The past week has been tough, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Victorian business needs certainty and clarity about when they can plan to welcome back customers and staff as we progress towards hitting the National Cabinet’s COVID-19 vaccination targets of 70 and 80 per cent.

Regional Victorian businesses, with the exception of Greater Shepparton, have been given the green light to open their doors after quashing the latest COVID-19 outbreak, putting an end to the gruelling Lockdown Six extension. Here is what you and your business need to know.

Today’s announcement that lockdown restrictions will be lifted across Regional Victoria (apart from Greater Shepparton) from midnight tomorrow night will provide some welcome relief.