New right covers employees returning from parental leave, suffering from family and domestic violence
The Western Australian government is granting some employees the right to request flexible work arrangements in a newly passed bill that introduced key industrial relations reforms.
The Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 establishes a new employee right to request a flexible work arrangement if they are returning from parental leave or are experiencing family and domestic violence.
The newly passed legislation also enshrines a prohibition on sexual harassment at work in State employment laws, according to the WA government.
"All Western Australians have the right to a workplace that is free of sexual harassment, and this Bill will enshrine that right in State employment laws," said Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk in a statement.
Other key provisions in the new law
The law, which will take effect on January 31, also includes the following key provisions:
- Safeguarding against workers being artificially labelled as independent contractors or casual employees
- Introducing a Fit and Proper Person test for union officials to obtain a State Right of Entry permit
- Increasing penalties for contravening State employment laws
- Streamlining the outdated structure of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission by abolishing the constituent authorities and transferring their jurisdiction to a commissioner
"The legislation delivers key improvements in minimum entitlements and protections, and I am proud to be part of the government that has delivered these rights for State system workers," McGurk said.
