Fears for workers with disability after axing of mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods
The end of mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods has been welcomed by industry groups slogged by workforce shortages, but politicians from across the aisle fear the decision could expose at-risk workers to infection.
Why cutting COVID-19 isolation periods won’t help Australian businesses
While the reduction of the duration of isolation applies only to people who do not have symptoms, it is well accepted transmission without symptoms occurs.
COVID-19 pandemic has had a greater financial and psychological effect on women: Study
The study, conducted by the University of Queensland, shows women have experienced more significant impacts on their overall employment, hours of work, domestic labour, mental health and wellbeing.
Government reveals top 10 in-demand skills as COVID-19, flu, and floods suppress hours worked
The federal government has released the latest Skills Priority List, revealing the industries and roles hit hardest by Australia’s skills shortage.
As people and businesses struggle, how much COVID-19 damage are governments prepared to ignore?
There is a fierce debate going on about whether governments — and by extension, the rest of us — are doing enough to counter the spread of the virus.
‘Long COVID’ could cause workplace havoc. Here’s what you need to know
What can a workplace do to prepare for the impending health crisis? SmartCompany spoke to a workplace relations lawyer and an HR expert to get their views.
Six ways the government can stimulate innovation to drive post-pandemic economic recovery
Here are six broad approaches to stimulating local innovation that have been used over the past century, each with strengths and weaknesses.
“The pandemic isn’t over yet”: Hybrid work expert calls on businesses to remain flexible as COVID-19 batters “back to office” plans
As Australian businesses reconsider their "back to office" strategies through yet another wave of COVID-19 cases, a hybrid working expert says company leaders should keep work from home plans in their back pocket, pandemic or not.
Experts welcome Victoria’s Small Business Ventilation Program, but it’s just “one tool in the toolbag” for airborne COVID-19 management
The Andrews government’s $60 million in rebates is encouraging SMEs to invest in ventilation to mitigate the spread of airborne COVID-19.
“Many small retailers are not opening every day”: Business groups urge government to rethink axed COVID-19 isolation payment amid staff shortage
The Morrison government's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment scheme, which provided $750-a-week lump sum payments to workers required to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, expired on June 30.
‘It would be a fatal blow’: SME founders react to restoring WFH, mask mandates
No state or territory has reintroduced pandemic-era restrictions so far, though yesterday Australia recorded its highest daily death toll since February with 76 people reported dead from COVID-19.
Victorian government now reassessing rejected COVID-19 small business support applications after Business Victoria issued “incorrect” advice
The Victorian government is reassessing COVID-19 SME support grant applications it rejected last year after allegations of flawed information.
