As business awaits next week’s State Budget, the latest feedback from our members is that regained confidence post-pandemic has waned in the face of tough economic conditions.

The Federal Court of Australia found the HR manager and general manager of a restaurant chain purposely underpaid employees for almost a year and deliberately tampered with records in their payroll system outlining employee hours worked.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is delighted to have been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change program.

The Victorian Chamber’s flagship women-in-business program, Chamber Change, has been recognised as a gender equity leader, nominated as one of four finalists in the Best Gender Equity Project in the World Chambers Competition.

We have one hot off the press today! We are incredibly proud to announce that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been named as one of four finalists in the 13th World Chambers Congress (WCC) 2023 Competition in the Best Gender Equity Project category for our Chamber Change (Women in Business) program.

In February this year the Victorian Chamber flagged the termination of ‘zombie agreements’ under the Australian Government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Amendment Act 2022.

As we approach the budget season, we are in continuing discussions with the State Government to ensure business remains positioned to provide the growth the State needs. I expect those meetings will continue over the next few weeks as well.

From 1 May 2023, updated rules on taking annual leave during a shutdown apply for 78 Modern Awards.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has rejected an employee’s application that he should be able to file an unfair dismissal claim as he was earning under the high-income threshold and was covered by a modern award, ruling that his private use of the company’s motor vehicle contributed to his earnings.

Increased cost of living is the number one issue facing many Australians today. It’s also likely affecting the emotional and financial wellbeing of your employees.

Australia’s systems of managing visas, permanent residency, skilled migration and international students are set for an overhaul after a report deemed it was “not fit for purpose”.

On Tuesday, we reflected on the sacrifice that generations of Australians and New Zealanders have made to protect our way of life. Hundreds of Anzac Day commemorations took place across the State to honour the Anzac spirit; it felt to me as if that spirit was particularly prominent this year, perhaps it was heightened among Victorians because of the war in Ukraine and global instability.

There may be times in your business when your HR team is stretched with project deadlines, ad hoc matters or absences and you need ready-to-go help from HR specialists. That’s when the Victorian Chamber can step in.

It certainly feels like the year continues to accelerate, and I hope you are doing what you need to ensure your business is in good shape.

Fast-track nomination is now available in Victoria for skilled visa candidates with an eligible health, teaching or social services occupation who meet the minimum visa requirements.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has upheld a HR manager’s decision not to consider an employee’s promotion to supervisor and found alleged conduct of the respondent towards the employee did not constitute bullying.