Discussion paper on National Employment Standards

The Australian Government has released an exposure draft of its proposed ten National Employment Standards (NES), together with a discussion paper calling for public feedback by 4 April 2008.

The NES will cover the key minimum entitlements for all Australian employees, to apply from 1 January 2010.  These entitlements will be guaranteed in legislation so that they cannot be excluded or modified in a way that undermines the safety net.

The NES are:

1. Maximum weekly hours of work
2. Requests by parents for flexible working arrangements
3. Parental leave (and related entitlements)
4. Annual leave
5. Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave
6. Community service leave
7. Long service leave
8. Public holidays
9. Notice of termination and redundancy
10. Fair Work Information Statement