From October 1 this year most Modern Awards will have a provision added allowing “a regular casual employee” with at least 12 months’ service to apply for their position to be made permanent. A regular casual employee is one who has worked a regular pattern of hours over a period of at least 12 months or more.
As an employer, you will have the right to refuse their application on reasonable grounds if you can demonstrate that, in the future, the work your casual employee currently performs will not be guaranteed or consistent and/or that the hours they work may need to be significantly altered or reduced within the next 12 months.
From January 1 2019, if you employ casuals, you will need to give them a copy of the clause which is being introduced on October 1 2018. All yet to be employed casuals will also need to receive a copy of the clause on commencement.
Now may be a good time to review your casual employment situation to ascertain whether you really employ casuals or permanent part-timers – call me on 1300 900 741 or email me for more information david@wurthhr.com.au