Employment situations following a disaster – What to look out for and how to refer

If there is a disaster or emergency, clients may have questions about their workplace rights. 

This might be because an employee’s workplace has been damaged or had to close due to fire/flood damage or restricted access to the premises. Issues may also arise where an employee needs to take time off work. 

 Employees get different entitlements depending on their type of employment. When you see a disaster client with an employment related issue, it is important to find out: 

• if they work full time or part time (on an ongoing basis or under a fixed-term contract), or work as a casual employee. 
• if they are employed in the private or the public sector. 
• You can also check which Award or Enterprise Agreement applies to their workplace.  

 

Referrals and more information 

• If you see a client with a question about their entitlements or wages, they can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94). There are useful resources on their website https://www.fairwork.gov.au. 
• If the matter is not urgent, you can help the client make an appointment for an employment advice clinic. 
• If you have any questions, or when the client’s situation requires further investigation, and especially if a time limit applies, you can warm refer them to the employment team. For detailed referral information check out the Employment Intranet page.
• See also the employment page on the DRLS Intranet