Useful Links to Support Your Firm Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
We've collated resources that may be useful to you and your firms in difficult times. If there is anything else that you need support with please don't hesitate to get in contact and we will help source more resources for you and your firm.
Thanks to the support of legalsuper, ALPMA continues to offer Mental Health First Aid Australia’s training course that has been specifically tailored to legal workplaces.
This course is delivered online, combining an online (eLearning) component and 2 x 2.5 hour virtual training sessions that teach managers, supervisors and individuals how to assist a co-worker who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
Employment Law & Associated Resources
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
Pack includes the following templates:
- Ergonomic Assessment Self Check
- IT Equipment Checkout Form
- Managing Staff Working Remotely
- How to Work Well From Home
- Working From Home Checklist
It's important to note that the employers liability for an employees health and safety will extend into the home environment in cases whereby the employee is working from home.
As a minimum an employer should have employees complete an Ergonomic Assessment of their working environment, ideally by completing a checklist and returning a signed copy to the employer. Employers should also request a photo of the employees’ workstation so they are can ensure reasonable compliance by the employee. It is the employers responsibility to make any necessary adjustments.
It is also worth noting that the remote (or home) working environment is likely to be an extension of the employer’s physical office space and as such any injury sustained within the home office environment could fall under the employers workers compensation insurance policy. Employers should seek advice from their insurers on this matter, amend policies to include home office environments and look to implement, where possible, specific working hours with employees to reduce their exposure.
There is an Ergonomic Assessment checklist in the link above.
- Redundancy letter templates
- Online Webinars
- Various other Resources
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Legal Services Award (March 2020)
There will likely be changes to the Legal Services Award resulting from the recent changes to the Clerks - Private Sector Award (Summary & Decision).
The Fair Work Commission proposes to vary 103 modern awards as a result. FWC application details can be viewed here. A summary of the proposed changes is below.
The timesheet requirements implemented in March 2020 remain unchanged for employees working from home. That is, any employees on the Legal Services Awards must still record their hours worked and submit a timesheet each week. Their start and finish times must also be recorded.
