The importance of understanding industrial award coverage and application

Summary

Whether you're an employee or an employer, it's important to know whether you/your employee's position is award covered and, if so, by which award.

Award coverage is relevant to determining monetary and non-monetary entitlements, as well as availability of/exposure to unfair dismissal claims on termination of employment and breach of award claims.

If you're an employer, you should consider getting advice on award coverage before:

1. issuing an employment contract;
2. terminating an employee's employment; and or
3. bargaining an enterprise agreement.

If you're an employee, it may be useful to know whether you're award-covered if:

1. you think you may not be receiving your correct entitlements (monetary and non-monetary - such as meal breaks); and or