NSW Industrial Relations will host the hour-long sessions at Quest on Townsend at 9.30am and 11.30am.

The government wants workers and businesses to know their rights and responsibilities under new legislation passed in September.

A two-year trial showed support for unrestricted Boxing Day trade across NSW, but the reforms include safeguards to protect workers.

Retailers who force staff to work on Boxing Day face fines of up to $11,000 for each employee while penalties of up to $22,000 will apply if a landlord forces a tenant to open that day. Workshops are being held across NSW as well as a hotline and web-based information sessions for staff and employers.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the reform was about providing retailers, retail employees and consumers with more choice.

“If people want to trade, work or shop on Boxing Day, it makes sense that they can choose to do so irrespective of their location, keeping retail dollars in their local communities,” he said. 

For more information, go to industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au or call 13 16 28.