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 …
KEEPING THE WORKPLACE SAFE AND FREE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS
On the 24th December 2022 new Work Health and Safety regulations for the control of psychosocial hazards came into effect, making it illegal for employers to ignore risks and not work at minimising them as much as practicable to ensure a healthy …
FWC PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON OCCUPATIONAL SEGREGATION AND GENDER UNDERVALUATION
On the 4th of November the Fair Work Commission President Ross released a statement on Occupational Segregation and Gender Undervaluation after the Full Bench handed down a decision in Aged Care Work Value Case. Occupational segregation has remained consistent for the past …
HEAVY FINES FOR SACKING IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF DISCRIMINATION
A recent decision by Federal Circuit and Family Court Judge Amanda Tonkin saw justice served for veteran stonemason Timothy John Rutley when his previous employer was ordered to pay another $76,000 in fines for unlawful and discriminatory adverse action. The stone benchtops …
THE FAIR WORK COMMISSION 2021-22 ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED
The Fair Work Commission recently released their Access to Justice – 2021-22 Annual Report. The 146-page report provides an overview from the President and General Manager on the organisational structure of the Commission and its members, performance and framework against intended results, …
The Right to Disconnect, Flexibility Requests and Roster Justice
Labour senators Deborah O’Neill, Jana Stewart and Linda White and the Greens’ Barbara Pocock are putting the pressure on Albanese Government to consider making amendments to Requests for Flexible Working Arrangements in s65 of the Fair Work Act 2009. A 152- page …
WAGE THEFT COULD BECOME A CRIMINAL OFFENSE WITH BIGGER FINES TO PAY
Many Australians would be surprised to learn how common wage theft is, and have possibly been affected at some point during their working lives. The Inquiry into Wage Theft in Western Australia report was released on the 6th December 2019 and undertaken …
LABOUR GOVERMENT ANNOUNCES A SIX WEEK INCREASE TO PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
A recent decision has been made by the Albanese Government to increase the total package of federally-funded parental leave from the current 20 weeks to 26 weeks, giving more flexibility and leave for parents to stay at home with their families. It …
EMPLOYERS MUST FOLLOW DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES: EMPLOYEE GETS RE-INSTATED
A recent case saw a Melbourne tram driver reinstated after the Fair Work Commission found his employer, Yarra Trams hadn’t followed the correct disciplinary processes when terminating his employment. The tram driver, Mr. Gregory Bass, was a loyal employee for eleven years …
EMPLOYERS MUST GET IT RIGHT ON POLICY TO BE A FAIR DISMISSAL
APPEALS to the Full Bench against an adverse result are difficult to achieve. A case this week identified the absence of a specific Policy which the employee had been accused of breaching was a good reason to overturn the result. One of …
