A-Z Glossary Workplace Terms

Vicarious liability holds employers liable for wrongful acts of employees committed in the course of employment.

Award coverage refers to whether a Modern Award applies to an employer and/or employee based on industry or occupation in Australia.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is Australia’s independent workplace relations regulator responsible for education, compliance, and enforcement.

Long service leave is paid leave earned after lengthy continuous service, regulated by state and territory legislation.

Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work design that have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm.

Workplace violence includes physical attacks, threats, or abuse in circumstances relating to work.

Award-free employees are workers not covered by any Modern Award in Australia, including senior managers and high-income earners with guarantee of annual earnings.

Fixed-term contracts are employment contracts with a specified end date, now subject to significant restrictions from December 2023.

The national minimum wage is the minimum hourly rate for adult employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement.