The Victorian Government has responded to the second surge in Covid-19 cases, by expanding the existing notification duty on employers to now require notification to WorkSafe of cases of COVID-19 among their employees and contractors. Under the expanded definition of a notifiable incident, Victorian employers that become aware that an employee or an independent contractor … Read more

The Australian Government has announced that it will extend the JobKeeper Payment scheme until 28 March 2021, subject to modifications to tighten employer eligibility and a phased reduction in the JobKeeper payment rate. Employers should consider how these changes might impact their existing or future workforce management strategies. The JobKeeper Payment scheme has been extended … Read more

As we hit mid year, the employment landscape across Asia has started to move away from only focussing on Covid-19 related emergency measures. Our Asia Employment, Pensions and Incentives update this month looks at: the recent decision in Malaysia in Ahmad Zahriv AIMS Cyberjaya Sdn BHd in relation to fixed term employment contracts; the restrictions … Read more

In Hong Kong, an occupier who fails to maintain the premises they control in a safe condition may be held liable for the injuries or damage suffered by a visitor. The duty of care owed by an occupier may overlap with an employers’ duty to protect the health and safety of their employees when employers … Read more

CJRS developments HMRC updated its guidance on the amended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on 1 July 2020.  Two changes to note are: Employees should not be placed on furlough for a period simply because they are on holiday for that period – an employer may not place an employee on furlough in order to fund … Read more

The Government has today published a further Treasury Direction dated 25 June 2020 setting out the legal framework for claims under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in respect of periods from 1 July 2020.  This gives effect to the Guidance amended on 13 June to cover “flexible furlough” (summarised here).  From 1 July 2020, … Read more

As workplaces are slowly beginning to re-open, new challenges arise for employment law and HR teams. Our Asia Employment, Pensions and Incentives update this month looks at: the various measures introduced by the Department of Labour and Employment measures introduced in the Philippines, to preserve employment during the Covid-19 pandemic the conflicting views around whether the … Read more

June has been a busy month for employment updates in Hong Kong. Long awaited amendments to Hong Kong’s discrimination have taken effect from 19 June, with changes to maternity leave expected to pass soon. Measures to ensure ORSO schemes are genuinely employment-based will kick in on 26 June 2020. Finally, the applications for the first … Read more