"Today, a joint Ai Group and ACCI application has been filed in the Fair Work Commission to vary the Clerks Award in terms agreed with the Australian Services Union. An urgent hearing has been sought and the parties are seeking to have the Award varied as soon as possible," Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"There are hundreds of thousands of clerical and administrative employees in Australia, many of whom are currently working from home.

"The negotiations with the ASU and ACTU over the past week have not been easy. However, the parties have had the shared goal of making sure that awards are not a barrier to businesses and workers getting through the current crisis with the least hardship possible. The aim is to keep businesses operating and their people employed," Mr Willox said.

Media enquiries: Tony Melville – 0419 190 347