The Fair Work Act commenced operation on 1 July 2009, with some provisions not operative until 1 January 2010 or beyond.

The Fair Work Ombudsman ('FWO') has introduced a series of guidance materials to assist employers and employees with the new arrangements and other aspects of workplace law.

Where can I access the guidance material?

The guidance material can be found at www.fwo.gov.au .

Which topics does the guidance material cover?

There are eleven best practice guides that have been developed. The aim is to build on the fact sheets already available from the FWO.

The new material covers the following topics:

• Work and Family: How to foster a culture of workplace flexibility for family responsibilities to help achieve a more productive work environment. This includes reduced absenteeism and improved job satisfaction.
• Consultation and Co-operation: Best practice in workplace consultation, such as developing and implementing effective consultation mechanisms, which encourage cooperation and the engagement of employees and management across the workplace.
• Individual Flexibility Arrangements: How flexible work practices can deliver benefits to both employers and employees.
• Employing Young Workers: Assistance for employers in employing and retaining young employees.
• Gender Pay Equity: How to achieve equity in gender pay issues.
• Small Business: Requirements that specifically need to be understood by small businesses.
• Workplace Privacy: Details for employers, employees and their representatives on what information may be collected and retained by employers and whether it can be passed on to others.
• Managing Under-performance: Guidance on best practise for employers to follow and employees to understand.
• Effective Dispute Resolution: Information in implementing a balanced dispute resolution process.
• Improving Workplace Productivity in Bargaining: Information to assist an employer and employee in using collective bargaining in the workplace.