NEW CHANGES TO UNPAID LEAVE DURING CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWNS
It has been common practice for employers to direct their employees to take unpaid leave during temporary shutdown periods like Christmas. From May 1st this will no longer be an option for many award covered employers including Hospitality Industry Award 2020, Building …
STATE GOVERNMENT TACKLES SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Last Friday’s Media Statement addressed the McGowan Government’s commitment to drive out sexual harassment in the mining industry and continuing to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of WA workers. The government’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety program (MARS) was introduced in …
EMPLOYERS CANNOT REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO WORK PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
With Easter holidays upon us, the Courts have given a timely warning about the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 about working on public holidays. The Fair Work Information Sheet summarizes s114 of the Act as “employees get a paid day …
NEW CHANGES TO PAID PARENTAL LEAVE OFFERING FLEXIBILITY AND SUPPORTING GENDER EQUALITY.
On Monday 6th March the Senate passed the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvement for Families and Gender Equality) Bill 2022. The changes to paid parental leave (PPL) will commence from July 2023, allowing working parents a flexible 20-week entitlement, giving more families …
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DIRECTOR JEREMY AND HIS ITHAKA MEDIA GROUP
Last Friday Jeremy hosted us to the opening of the Masters Series for the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra: Music of the Ecstasy at the Perth Concert Hall. It was an inspiring night of classical music featuring the works of Weber, Brahms, Strauss …
COPMPANIES SHOULD HAVE EFFECTIVE CASE MANAGEMENTPOLICIES IN PLACE.
Our recent win in the Fair Work Commission (which appeared in last week’s Workplace Express), underscores the importance for an employer to have a diligent approach to the Fair Work Commission. Our Chief Industrial Advocate Patrick Mullally represented Mr. Ryan Archer for …
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT PROPOSAL LAUNCHED
This week the Australian Human Rights Commission launched a model for a proposed Human Rights Act in Australia. We are one of the only liberal democracies without a Charter of Human Rights. The right to work is one such human right. The …
WORKER FIRED FOR NAPPING ON THE JOB WINS UNFAIR DISMISSAL DUE TO LACK OF PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS
A recent decision by Deputy President Gerard Boyce found an employee’s dismissal to be harsh, unjust and unreasonable even though he also found the employer had a valid reason to dismiss the worker after he was found napping on the job. Last …
Railway Labourer of 39 years reinstated after dismissal.
In December last year Commissioner Simpson found the dismissal of Mr. Trevor Purves to be ‘’harsh” and ordered his employer Queensland Rail Transit Authority to reinstate him as well as pay him 50% of lost pay. Mr. Purves was a loyal employee …
NATIONAL SURVEY STATISTICS ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
Last year the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted the 5th national survey which addressed sexual harassment in the workplace, investigating forms of sexual harassment, industries, impact and reporting. It was the first survey that asked workers their views on the actions taken …
