Do you know what a Fair Work Information Statement is?

The Fair Work Information Statement (the FWIS) provides new employees with information about their conditions of employment.

Employers have to give every new employee a copy of the FWIS before they start their new job. If that’s not practical, it needs to be given to employees as soon as possible after they have started employment.

It’s one of your responsibilities under the National Employment Standards.

The National Employment Standards (NES) provide information in relation to minimum employee entitlements in Australia that are covered by the Fair Work Act.

The 11 minimum standards of employment cover the following

Maximum weekly hours of work
Requests for flexible working arrangements
Offers and requests to convert from casual to permanent employment
Parental leave and related entitlements
Annual leave
Personal/carer’s leave, compassionate leave, and family and domestic violence leave
Community service leave
Long service leave
Public holidays
Notice of termination and redundancy pay
Provision of a Fair Work Information Statement & Casual Employment Information Statement

The Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) explains each of the Standards as well as stating information about:

The Minimum Wage pay rate
Awards
Agreements
Role of the Fair Work Commission and Ombudsman
Termination and
Individual flexibility arrangements.

As an employer, if you don’t provide an employee with the Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS) you can be fined for a breach of the National Employment Standards and the Fair Work Act.

You need to give the FWIS to your new employees before they start work (or as soon as practicable after they start).

There are a few different ways you can give your employees the FWIS:

in person
by mail
by email
by emailing a link to the FWIS
by fax.

The FWIS is usually updated each July so it’s a good idea to regularly check you have the most up to date version.

For further expert advice on human resources or if you have any questions about anything HR related, get in touch.

Karen Hillen is your HR Partner, she helps businesses by providing HR support and advice services.

For the right HR support and advice, book a My HR Partner HR Advice call with Karen Hillen.

https://booking.myhrpartner.com.au/15minute-hr-advice-call

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