Published 28 August 2024
New Workplace Laws Changes Likely to Impact Aquatic Facility Management
Recent changes to workplace laws in Australia may impact aquatic facility owners and operators. These changes include new regulations surrounding the right to disconnect and updates to casual employment, among others.
The Right to Disconnect laws, effective from August 2024, are designed to protect employees' time outside of work. Under these new regulations, employees are not obligated to respond to work-related communications outside of their working hours unless previously agreed upon. This change could significantly affect how aquatic facilities manage after-hours communications with their staff, particularly for roles such as pool lifeguards, swimming and water safety teachers, aquatic technical operators, duty managers (aquatics), customer service officers (aquatics), aqua exercise instructors, and potentially fitness staff.
In addition to the Right to Disconnect, amendments have been made to casual employment laws. These changes aim to close loopholes that previously allowed employers to maintain casual employment arrangements for extended periods without offering permanent positions. The new legislation clarifies the criteria for casual employment, ensuring that workers who have a reasonable expectation of ongoing work are offered permanent employment.
Aquatic facility owners and operators must stay informed about these changes, as non-compliance could lead to significant penalties. It is essential to review existing employment practices and policies to ensure they align with the new legal requirements.
For more detailed information on these changes, please refer to the official sources:
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for the purposes of information sharing only. Royal Life Saving Society - Australia (RLSSA) does not provide legal or human resources advice, and this article should not be relied upon as such. Facility owners and operators should consult their own legal and human resources advisers for advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
