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Victorian businesses ‘disappointed’ with mental health levy
Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox says the Victorian Government’s $3 billion mental health levy is devastating for big businesses.
More than 9,000 Victorian companies could be inflicted with a payroll surcharge as the Andrews government looks to invest $3.8 billion into the state’s mental health system.
Mr Willox says the levy shows a “lack of empathy” for what businesses endured during last year’s COVID lockdowns.
“Businesses have been disappointed, but sadly not shocked, that this is what the Victorian government’s done,” says Mr Willox.
“Of course everyone wants more spending for mental health but the view has been that the Victorian Government created a lot of Victoria’s mental health crises with the way they’ve handled COVID.
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Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine direction for WA hotel quarantine workers comes into force
All hotel quarantine workers in Western Australia must now be vaccinated under the state government’s public health direction which comes into force today.
The order made by premier Mark McGowan last month will see all cleaners, security staff, hotel workers, police and ADF personnel who have contact with guests and guests’ rooms required to have the jab. Those who have had at least one jab, rather than both, will still be allowed to work, according to a statement from the WA health department provided to the ABC.
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Working parents suffer extreme burnout during pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has proven to be exceptionally challenging for 60% of working parents who have been feeling burnt out in the past year. The figure is slightly higher than the general population (56%) who have gone through the same ordeal, according to a study from remote jobs platform FlexJobs.
More than 1,100 working parents (living with children aged 18 or younger) shared their challenges in caring for their family while responding to the demands of their job during the pandemic. Despite work remaining steady for some (43%), others reported childcare duties have affected their career:
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Shots fired – Vaccinations and workplace
One of the most topical questions for employers during the COVID-19 pandemic has been whether they need to introduce policies that mandate vaccinations and, if so, what can be done to enforce them in the workplace.
As with any other policy or procedure, employers need to assess whether it would be reasonable and lawful to require that their employees comply with a policy that mandates vaccinations. What is reasonable will differ for each employer and even between different positions within an organisation. There are different industry regulations, standards and personal circumstances that must be considered in each case.