ASGA clarifies minimum wage and Awards Rates review - 1 Feb changes

ASGA has updated its Employment Information Guide for members, in relation to the minimum wage and Awards Rates review on 1 February.

The amended ASGA Employment Information Guide, drawn up by Hicksons Lawyers, clarifies:

• The 1.75% minimum wages increase on 1 February 2021, applied to the Commercial Sales Award 2020 and Sales Award. The Fair Work Commission determined that the increases to awards would commence on three different dates for different groups of awards, and this is the final date.

• Current minimum pay rates for all relevant ASGA awards in line with the updated Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Guides for the Building Award, Clerks Award, Joinery Award, Manufacturing Award, Printing Award and Sales Award. 

• Changes to the Sales Award.

• Changes to the accrual of Personal Leave in relation to the the High Court of Australia's recent clarification on how personal leave (sick/carers) should be calculated.

  Hicksons has also provided examples related to the latest changes in the Guide and recommends that ASGA members review:

(1) employment contracts and update HR and payroll practices to comply with the new obligations to pay the revised rates; and pay the revised allowances; with effect 1 February 2021; and

(2) their own payroll systems to ensure they are calculating leave based on employee’s ordinary hours of work.

Members can contact the ASGA legal helpline for further advice.

To join the ASGA and receive a copy of the Employment Information Guide, go to https://signs.org.au/Members/Member-Benefits