A-Z Glossary Workplace Terms

Public holidays are days when employees are entitled to be absent without loss of pay, or receive penalty rates if working.

Wage theft is deliberate underpayment of employee entitlements, now a criminal offence under federal law.

The BOOT is the key test applied by the Fair Work Commission to determine whether an enterprise agreement leaves employees better off than the relevant Modern Award.

Flexible work arrangements are variations to standard working conditions, with certain employees having a right to request under the NES.

Misconduct is employee behaviour that breaches workplace rules, policies, or professional standards.

Qualified privilege is a legal defence protecting statements made during workplace investigations and references.

Whistleblower protection laws protect individuals who report misconduct from retaliation and victimisation.

Rest breaks and meal breaks are periods during a shift where employees are entitled to cease work, governed by Modern Awards and WHS legislation.

General protections are provisions protecting employees from adverse action for exercising workplace rights or having protected attributes.