A former FWO chief counsel-turned judge has taken an axe to the workplace regulator's belief in penalties as a general deterrent, expressing astonishment at its "staggering" pursuit of a $21,000 fine against an employer who quickly coughed up a $976 underpayment once a junior worker provided proof of their age.
A labour law academic says a UN World Court finding that workers' right to strike is protected might revive ILO scrutiny of the extent to which the Fair Work Act "over-restricts" protected action, while a lawyer says it might "change the trajectory" of IR litigation and reform.
An alleged whistleblower's explosive allegations against franchising business Jim's Group may be headed for hearing, after a court gave him an extension of time and let him file an amended claim.
A tribunal member has declined to recuse himself from a harassment case, rejecting claims that what he "may know" about what was possibly agreed in a conciliation conference could affect his impartiality.
The FWC has declined to issue anti-bullying orders against a body corporate secretary despite observing her communication style was "seen as combative and demeaning" and that she displayed "the characteristics of a narcissist".
Stevedore DP World has warded off an attempt by employees to claim a place on three-member panels charged with resolving disputes about automation roll-outs at four ports, when one spot is already filled by the MUA.
As thousands of early childhood education and care workers prepare to walk out over feared pay cuts of between 4% and 15% when their taxpayer-funded retention scheme expires in November, the federal minister responsible is declining to provide certainty on the government's future intentions.
A small business owner and his company must pay more than $125,000 in compensation after a court found he s-xually harassed a 20-year-old worker with disabilities by asking about her fantasies and whether they would have s-x if they were dating.
Union renewal expert Michael Crosby will start today as the CFMEU construction and general division's new administrator, FWC general manager Murray Furlong announced this morning.
