COVID-19 vaccines are now approved for use in Australia. The question of whether these vaccines can be made compulsory for employees will be important. A recent case may give some guidance. Read more
You may be looking for premises and get offered some space available on a “sublease”. This is common at present because more businesses than ever have employees working remotely from home, and so they have too much floorspace. Subletting the excess space will allow them to recoup some rent during the balance of the term of their lease. Read more
Cybercrime represents a major threat to all businesses. Here are the top 9 things to consider with respect to cybercrime. Read more
As a business owner you will be aware that you must provide a safe work environment. Recently, new laws have been introduced in QLD, Vic, the NT and the ACT relating to industrial manslaughter. These laws mean that the operators of businesses in those states and territories can be held criminally liable for the death of their employees at work. Read more
For your business to survive and thrive you must understand the importance of cashflow. Cashflow is greatly affected by the time you give your customers to pay your invoices. Whilst it is common for businesses to give 30-day payment terms, it is often the case that big businesses impose payment terms of 60, 90 or 120 days. As small business owners generally want to have big businesses as customers, they have little choice but to agree, even though it will adversely impact on their cash flow. As a consequence, your business could be profitable, but ultimately destroyed by poor cashflow. Read more
In a recent case, there was a young Aboriginal man who had been in and out of youth detention since he was 11 years old. Whilst in detention the man was particularly violent with staff and others, with some victims requiring hospitalisation. Years later there was significant media coverage of the boy’s treatment whilst in detention. It was disclosed that he had been thrown into his cell, threatened, restrained and generally mistreated in a heavy-handed manner. Read more
If your business supplies goods or services then generally the Australian Consumer Law will have an impact on your obligations to your customers. Read more
Coronavirus has been extensively covered in the news media. What has arguably received less attention is what happens when an unforeseeable event such as this prevents a party from fulfilling its contract obligations. Such situations have the potential to disrupt businesses. With this in mind, here are 5 things to know about how your business could be affected. Read more
Before the enormous disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Court heard a case dealing with the question of what happens when a planned tour holiday goes wrong or is not as advertised. Read more
With all of the lockdowns and restrictions caused by the coronavirus crisis, many businesses are struggling and monthly rent in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars is often an expense they can no longer afford. The question then, is whether the coronavirus which has interrupted business revenue is also a sufficient reason for terminating a commercial lease or for the abatement or reduction of rent which would otherwise be payable. Read more