Proposed changes to Termination and Redundancy in WA Laws

The WA Trades and Labour Council has applied to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission for a general order to provide for conditions of employment with respect to Termination of Employment, Introduction of Change and Redundancy. The proposed general order will have a significant effect on all employers throughout WA.

The most significant aspect of the application is the adoption of the new Termination Change and Redundancy standards set out in the recent test case decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Under the proposed general order any employee whose employment is terminated by reason of redundancy will have an automatic entitlement to severance pay.  The proposed scale of severance pay ranges from four to 16 weeks’ pay, dependent on the length of service the employee has with the employer. 

The commission has listed the matter for hearing in November.

Carla Paratore, solicitor

9288 6940

Michael Jensen, associate

9288 6944