Coronavirus and Australian Workplace Laws

Mar 20, 2020

This article is sponsored by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The FWO encourages employees and employers to work together to find appropriate solutions that suit the needs of individual workplaces and staff. This may include taking different forms of leave, working from home, or taking extra precautions in the workplace.

 

Common questions:

 

• Where can I get information on health and safety in the workplace?
• When can employers direct employees to stay away from their usual workplace under workplace health and safety laws?
• What happens if an employee or their family member is sick with coronavirus?
• What if an employee is stuck overseas or is required to be quarantined or to self-isolate?
• What if an employee wants to stay at home as a precaution?
• What if an employer wants their employees to stay at home as a precaution?
• When can employees work from home?
• What about casual employees and independent contractors?
• What if I cannot attend work because my child’s school is closed due to concerns about the coronavirus?
• What if I need to let employees go or reduce their working hours?
• Can employees be directed not to travel?

 

The FWO will continue to update the information on their website as the situation develops and as needed. We encourage you to regularly check their website for more information. 

 

If you have an urgent enquiry about your workplace entitlements or obligations, please contact the FWO on 13 13 94 and select the prompt for the Coronavirus hotline.