A tribunal has found that an employer's failure to formalise an employee's flexible work arrangements to meet her caring responsibilities led to her seeing them as an entitlement rather than a privilege, and any attempts to change them as workplace bullying.
The FWC is expecting a "significant number" of bullying applications and inquiries next year and has released a model for dealing with them and a draft benchbook, as well as announcing Commissioner Peter Hampton's appointment as the head of its anti-bullying panel.
A highly-paid Geelong-based anaesthetist has lost his job for a second time after a senior FWC member found that his conduct following his reinstatement in February had contributed to the destruction of his employer's trust in him.
With Australia's new federal bullying regime set to take effect next year, the FWC has turned to the UK's national workplace tribunal for its experiences in dealing with bullying and harassment complaints.
Recognising that people who spend their working lives "bearing witness to the trauma and pain of others" rarely remain unaffected, plaintiff law firm Maurice Blackburn has taken steps to address vicarious trauma in its own workplace, according to principal Josh Bornstein.
An employee suspended for refusing to work from home while his bullying allegations were investigated has failed in his bid to rely on state whistleblower legislation to secure injunctions against further disciplinary action, including his sacking.
FWC rules it has no jurisdiction to hear stand-down case; Linfox's 11th-hour offer avoids finding that alternative jobs not suitable; FWC delivers on pizza chain's transfer of business; and Full bench overturns changes to modern health award.
The Coalition has largely succeeded in neutralising IR as a 2013 federal election issue by promising to retain – at least for one term – Labor's Fair Work framework, but Australia's two major parties are still going to the September 7 poll with some significant policy differences, including on paid parental leave, right of entry, and construction industry regulation. Workplace Express compares their IR policies and those of the Greens, whose future hold on the Senate balance of power is uncertain.
With the FWC's new bullying jurisdiction to commence operation in less than five months, Master Builders Australia claims there are practical difficulties with the regime, including the potential for "go away" money, confusion arising from multiple actions, and the absence of a pre-screening process.
