Inpatriate

What is an inpatriate? An inpatriate is an employee from an organization’s foreign subsidiary who is transferred to the company headquarters in a different country. Inpatriated employees tend to have specialized knowledge and skills that can benefit their company headquarters. They typically work for a specified length of time (e.g., a two-year contract). An example…

Pro Rata Salary

What is a pro rata salary? A pro rata salary refers to a portion of a full-time salary based on how many hours or days an employee works, compared to standard full-time hours. “Pro rata” is derived from the Latin, meaning “in proportion”, and is used to ensure part-time, contract, or temporary employees are compensated…

Penalty Rates

What are penalty rates? Penalty rates are mandatory higher pay rates awarded to employees who work outside normal hours, like weekends, public holidays, evenings, or late-night shifts. Industrial agreements or awards authorize them and reflect compensation for employees who are required to work during socially undesirable or inconvenient times. They recognize the personal and social…

Business Necessity

What is a business necessity? A business necessity is a legal justification for role requirements that may seem neutral at face value, but can be deemed discriminatory if they disproportionately affect any protected group. In order for an actual business necessity to be proven, it must be essential for business operations or a legal requirement,…

Annualized Salary

What is annualized salary? Annualized salary is the total projected amount of money an employee earns in a year. It shows their yearly income, even if they’re paid at different intervals. Annualized salary differs from other pay calculations in that it focuses on total yearly earnings. Unlike hourly or monthly pay, annualized salary provides a…

FIFO Work

What is FIFO work? FIFO stands for ‘fly in, fly out’. This is a common work arrangement in Australia, especially in industries like mining, oil and gas, construction, and energy. Instead of relocating permanently, FIFO workers fly to the job site—often in remote or regional locations—and stay there for the duration of their shift rotation.…

Informal Communication

What is informal communication? Informal communication is the everyday exchange of information at work that happens outside of official channels. It refers to casual conversations, chats, and news sharing among employees. It can be positive, negative, or neutral in tone and does not follow a company’s formal communication rules.    For instance, colleagues might share…

Ordinary Hours 

What are ordinary hours?  Ordinary hours are the standard hours an employee is expected to work, as agreed between the employer and employee. These are usually outlined in an award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract. For full-time employees, ordinary hours typically don’t exceed 38 hours per week (plus reasonable additional hours). The specific days and…

Ghost Jobs

What are ghost jobs? Ghost jobs, also known as fake jobs or phantom jobs, are job listings that seem legitimate but are actually for positions that are not open or don’t even exist. Companies post such fake or outdated jobs for several reasons. For instance, some employers want to assess market interest and the availability…

Rostered Day Off

What is a rostered day off (RDO)? A rostered day off (RDO) is a scheduled day off work that an employee earns by working additional hours over a period of time. It’s typically part of an employee’s working arrangement under an award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract in Australia. RDOs are prearranged within the employee’s…