Seafood Processing Award 2020; and
Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020.
This may incentivise employers covered by these modern awards to prefer permanent part-time employees rather than relying on casual employees. The proposed provisions apply to part-time employees who work at least 16 hours but less than 38 hours a week and whose shifts are for at least three hours (which may include an additional hour).
The Government recognises that organisations covered by these modern awards have been hit hard by the COVID crisis and employers are likely to welcome the increased flexibility if it becomes law. There are specific requirements around these agreements with part-time employees. They must be recorded before the hours are worked, identifying the additional hours to be worked and the agreement must be retained. Termination of such agreements can be made on seven day s written notice.