Consultation after a definite major-change decision
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Quick explanation
Previously reviewed explanation — check official wording before use
Notify affected employees and representatives and begin discussions as soon as practicable after a definite major-change decision likely to have significant effects.
Check the conditions
- Discuss introduction, likely effects and ways to avoid or reduce adverse effects; provide relevant written information and promptly consider matters raised.
- Significant effects include termination, workforce/skill changes, reduced opportunities or tenure, altered hours, retraining, transfer and restructuring.
Exceptions
- Confidential information contrary to employer interests need not be disclosed; Award-authorised alterations are excluded by clause 32.6.
Read the official wording and citations
Meat Industry Award 2020 — FWC Award text hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman
FWC · MA000059 · Clause 32
32. Consultation about major workplace changef
32.1 If an employer makes a definite decision to make major changes in production, program, organisation, structure or technology that are likely to have significant effects on employees, the employer must:
(a) give notice of the changes to all employees who may be affected by them and their representatives (if any); and
(b) discuss with affected employees and their representatives (if any):
(i) the introduction of the changes; and
(ii) their likely effect on employees; and
(iii) measures to avoid or reduce the adverse effects of the changes on employees; and
(c) commence discussions as soon as practicable after a definite decision has been made.
32.2 For the purposes of the discussion under clause 32.1(b), the employer must give in writing to the affected employees and their representatives (if any) all relevant information about the changes including:
(a) their nature; and
(b) their expected effect on employees; and
(c) any other matters likely to affect employees.
32.3 Clause 32.2 does not require an employer to disclose any confidential information if its disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests.
32.4 The employer must promptly consider any matters raised by the employees or their representatives about the changes in the course of the discussion under clause 32.1(b).
32.5 In clause 32 significant effects, on employees, includes any of the following:
(a) termination of employment; or
(b) major changes in the composition, operation or size of the employer’s workforce or in the skills required; or
(c) loss of, or reduction in, job or promotion opportunities; or
(d) loss of, or reduction in, job tenure; or
(e) alteration of hours of work; or
(f) the need for employees to be retrained or transferred to other work or locations; or
(g) job restructuring.
32.6 Where this award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters defined at clause 32.5, such alteration is taken not to have significant effect.
Complete normalized source clause. Exact snapshot/raw integrity checked; explanation review status is recorded separately on each entry. Parent-clause citation does not establish exhaustive paragraph coverage.
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- Official document
- Meat Industry Award 2020 — FWC Award text hosted by the Fair Work Ombudsman ↗
- Version
- This Fair Work Commission consolidated modern award incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 July 2026 (PR799280, PR799339 and PR799495). ↗
- Citation verified
- Operative note
- This entry explains the current consolidated text. A consolidation or capture date does not establish when a term commenced; earlier accrued rights are preserved by clause 1.3.