Contractor Support
Frequently asked questions
As part of an internal review of our business, we have identified an issue in relation to our application of modern awards to some contractors.
We have completed a review of all our existing contractors and will shortly be making adjustments to rectify award coverage and classification going forward.
A modern award is a document which sets out the minimum terms and conditions of your assignment. A modern award will not always apply – it very much depends on a combination of your duties and the industry of the client.
As an on-hire business, we have exposure to more modern awards than other businesses. Determining award coverage is complex, which is why we have now established an internal compliance team to more vigorously check whether a modern award should apply to our contractors’ assignments. This is our practice moving forward.
We will soon issue you a new employment agreement and confirmation of assignment which will clarify your award coverage, classification and agreed hourly rate.
Some modern awards cover managers and professional employees, whereas others do not. If your assignment is covered by a modern award, it means there is a level under the award which aligns with your seniority, responsibilities and skillset.
We have put new, robust systems and processes in place to ensure that contractors are classified against the correct modern award and level for every new assignment.
This is being overseen by a dedicated compliance team, who rigorously check whether a modern award applies to each contractor’s assignment and if so, ensure every contractor’s agreed hourly rate is correct.
We are in the process of undertaking a comprehensive review of award coverage and pay for our current and former contractors. To enable us to do this effectively, we would be grateful for your patience as we ensure that we identify any contractors that may be entitled to back-pay.
It will take some time for us to identify and remediate any impacted contractors. As such, we cannot provide you with a specific timeframe for completion but will keep you up to date throughout the process.
As has always been the case, the number of hours that you work is subject to agreement between you and the client. However, if you are covered by a modern award, you will likely be entitled to overtime and allowances if you work more than the maximum ordinary hours of work in that modern award.
We have recently notified our consultants about our internal review. As always, we encourage you to keep in close contact with your consultant about matters relating to your assignment.
However, if you have any questions about our internal and / or look-back review, we will be better able to respond if you reach out to the team at contractorsupport@hudson.com.
We are communicating with our clients about this and what it means for them moving forward. We will make sure they always stay up-to-date. Though please direct any queries you have back to contractorsupport@hudson.com.
We will soon issue you a new employment agreement and confirmation of assignment which will clarify your award coverage, classification and agreed hourly rate.
We ask that you review and sign them as soon as possible.
Modern awards require casual employees, such as our contractors, to be paid an hourly rate. If you are covered by a modern award, you can only be paid a daily rate if you agree to this by entering into an Individual Flexibility Arrangement (IFA) with Hudson.
In order for you to be placed on an IFA, you must be better off paid on a daily rate instead of an hourly rate.
More information about daily rates and IFAs is available here.
If you require an adjustment to your award coverage, you will receive an email with instructions to sign your updated COA and OEA via DocuSign.
In exchange for accepting and signing the updated COA and OEA, Hudson is pleased to offer you a $25 eGift Card to Prezzee for use at Australia’s leading retailers.
We have prepared a guide which sets out important information about your updated COA and OEA, available here. Please be aware that this document is not intended to provide a complete or exhaustive overview of all updates and changes – It is intended as a guide only. We encourage you to take the time to carefully review and understand your updated COA and OEA.
Who can I contact with questions?
We have established a dedicated Contractor Support Team to answer general queries.
Importantly though and at this stage, this team is not in a position to advise you about your specific situation or entitlements. They are, however, available to address any other questions, comments or concerns.