On 23 February 2017, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its decision on penalty rates in the hospitality and retail industries. These changes apply:

• Public Holiday – Hospitality + Retail – from 1 July 2017.
• Sunday Penalty – TBA – following a May hearing 

FWC has invited interested parties to file submissions by 4.00 pm Friday, 24 March 2017. The matter will be listed for hearing in early May 2017 and the decision may be appealed before it is ever enforced.

If you are an employer, do not reduce rates ahead of time – or you will incur federal fines.

If you are an employee, check your payslips  – your weekend rates should not change, and your public holiday rates should only change from 1 July 2017.

You can read the Summary of Decision here.

Contact Peter McNamara today to find out how the new penalty rates will affect you.