Services / Employment
Employment
We provide non-litigation employment advice for employers and employees across the entertainment industry, including negotiation and contracting. For litigious matters, we brief firms and barristers who specialise in employment disputes.
We have a strong working knowledge of, and relationships with, local and international unions and guilds operating in the entertainment sector.
Talk to us
Tell us about your project, and we’ll talk you through how we can help.
How we help
- Employment and contractor agreements
- Termination of employment and redundancy
- Misconduct and disciplinary action
- Post-employment restraints
- Confidentiality, privacy and intellectual property
- Union and guild negotiations (MEAA, AWG, ADG, Screen Producers Australia, SAG, WGA, DGA)
- Advice on the Fair Work Act 2009
When to call us
- You are hiring crew, staff or contractors
- You need employment or contractor agreements for a production company
- An employee or contractor relationship is ending
- You are negotiating with a union or guild
Common questions
Is my crew member an employee or a contractor?
It depends on the real substance of the working relationship, not the label in the contract. Getting it wrong can mean back-payment of entitlements, superannuation and penalties. We review the arrangement and draft the right agreement.
Which award or agreement applies to screen production?
It depends on the role and the production. The Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award commonly applies to crew, and guild and union agreements negotiated through MEAA and others cover performers. We confirm what applies before you contract.
Do you act in employment litigation?
We provide non-litigation advice and negotiation. If a matter needs to go to the Fair Work Commission or court, we brief specialist employment litigators and work alongside them.