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.

The State Government has today given the green light for all Victorian businesses to welcome back customers and staff from 6pm on Friday, 29 October as we prepare to hit the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target. Importantly, once we hit the 90 per cent vaccinated target there will be only minimal restrictions in place, meaning it will be a spectacular summer.

A long-standing employee who was dismissed after using a mobile phone while operating a forklift will be reinstated after the Fair Work Commission found his dismissal to be ‘harsh and therefore unfair.’

The Victorian Chamber, in partnership with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has produced an employer guide to Victorian Public Health Orders Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination in the Workplace in response to strong demand from members.

The Victorian Chamber is proud to partner with the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) to deliver the fourth round of the SummerTech LIVE program, which matches businesses with tertiary students to tackle real, digital technology problems.

Do you have a technology problem that you desperately want to solve but don’t know the personnel or resource to do it? Then read on because the SummerTech LIVE program could be the answer you are looking for.

The Occupational Health and Safety and other Legislation Amendment Act of 2021 became law as of Wednesday 22 September. Here’s what you need to know.

Casual employment can provide much needed flexibility for businesses, enabling them to quickly expand their workforce to meet demand. However, any business relying on casual labour shouldn’t look at it as a quick fix. Getting it right takes planning, paperwork and proactive management.

The Fair Work Commission has determined an employer who cut a rail worker’s pay by almost $14,000 constituted a dismissal, giving the employee the green light to pursue an unfair dismissal claim.

The Victorian Chamber welcomes the announcement of a fifth allotment of joint Federal and State Government funding to see business and workers through until vaccination rates hit the targets we need to open up under the Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan.

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.

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.

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