As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact businesses and economies around the world, governments have been forced to implement measures to provide financial support and assistance to those affected. One of these measures is the JobKeeper Payment, which provides eligible businesses with a subsidy to help them retain their employees during this difficult time.
However, for businesses that have entered into enterprise agreements with their employees, there are certain considerations that need to be taken into account when it comes to the JobKeeper Payment.
Firstly, it`s important to understand that employees covered by enterprise agreements will still be entitled to the conditions and entitlements set out in their agreement, even if their employer receives the JobKeeper Payment. This means that if there are any variations or changes required to meet the criteria of the JobKeeper Payment, they will need to be negotiated and agreed upon with the employees covered by the agreement.
In addition, it`s important to ensure that any changes made to meet the JobKeeper criteria do not breach the terms of the enterprise agreement. For example, if the agreement includes provisions for certain hours of work or rostering arrangements, any changes made to these arrangements could breach the agreement.
It`s also important to consider the impact of the JobKeeper Payment on any existing redundancy provisions in the enterprise agreement. If the JobKeeper Payment allows a business to retain its employees, it may mean that redundancies are no longer necessary. However, if redundancies are still required, they will need to be carried out in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Finally, it`s worth noting that the JobKeeper Payment is only available to businesses that have experienced a significant decline in turnover. If a business has not experienced this decline, they will not be eligible for the payment. This means that any changes made to meet the JobKeeper criteria will need to be carefully considered and may not be appropriate for all businesses.
In conclusion, for businesses that have entered into enterprise agreements with their employees, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account when it comes to the JobKeeper Payment. By carefully reviewing the terms of the agreement and ensuring that any changes made do not breach its terms, businesses can make the most of this financial support while still fulfilling their obligations to their employees.