The landscape is about to change for long-term casual employees
in Australia. As part of its four-yearly review of Modern Awards,
the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has decided that most
Awards will need to include a 'casual conversion clause'.
So, are Australian workplaces ready for this conversion experience?
Will this decision actually require much change for employers?
Should this introduction ask a third rhetorical question? Read
on.
Modern Awards set minimum standards for jobs across most
industries in Australia. They are regularly reviewed to ensure that
they continue to provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net of
working conditions.
A casual conversion clause will allow casual employees to
convert to part-time or full-time permanency, in certain
circumstances. While some awards already contain such a clause,
most don't.
