The new financial year is a good time to review your workplace practices and reappraise documentation like your template employment contracts and policies. Being July, an updated Fair Work Information Statement has also been published. But what is it? What do you need to do with it? And where can you find it?
What is the Fair Work Information Statement (FWIS)?
The FWIS is a fact sheet that sets out an employee’s main rights and entitlements at work. It also provides employees with information about the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman.
An updated FWIS is published by the Fair Work Ombudsman on or about 1 July each year. The only change to this year’s FWIS is to reference the increased high income threshold.
Who is required to give the FWIS?
All employers covered by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) must give each employee a copy of the FWIS.
When must the FWIS be given?
An employer must give the FWIS to each employee before, or as soon as practicable after, the employee starts employment.
An employer is not required to give the FWIS to an employee more than once every 12 months (this may be relevant if the employer employs the employee on more than one occasion throughout a 12 month period).
How can the FWIS be provided?
The FWIS can be provided to employees in person or electronically. A good practice is to include the FWIS with the employee’s contract or put it in their new starter pack.
What happens if I don’t provide employees with a copy of the FWIS?
The provision of the FWIS to employees is a requirement of the National Employment Standards, a breach of which can lead to financial penalties.
Where can I find the FWIS?
The FWIS is published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. A copy of the Fair Work Information Statement can be found here.
