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Clear contracts crucial ahead of STEM award changes

Award changes giving overtime rates to a group of workers who weren't previously entitled to them are unlikely to impact many staffing firms, but a provision excluding managers reinforces the importance of making that distinction clear in contracts.

The changes, slated by the Fair Work Commission, will make it clear that the Professional Employees Award 2020, which covers qualified engineers, scientists, data analysts, medical researchers and some IT professionals, doesn't cover management staff.

It will also be amended to specify ordinary hours of work, introduce overtime pay and penalty rates, and require employers to record hours worked – but these amendments will only apply to employees earning less than 25% above the award's minimum rates...