A "high-stakes" case set to test whether State workplace protections extend to independent contractors under the Fair Work Act has been set down for a three-week trial beginning in May, after Federal Court Chief Justice Debra Mortimer agreed that having enough time to assess witnesses is "critical" in such proceedings.
The FWC's approach to assessing flexible work disputes is potentially undermining workers' rights to plan ahead, an academic has warned, after the tribunal held that a Sydney Water employee could not make such a request in the lead-up to his 55th birthday, and found a father ineligible until he finalised his custody arrangement.
The Victorian Government's new bill that restricts the use of non-disclosure agreements in settlements of workplace sexual harassment cases will enable workers to terminate them after a year, with just seven days notice.
After five decades, the Racial Discrimination Act is due for a review akin to the landmark Jenkins Sex Discrimination Act inquiry, according to a leading academic, while ACTU leader Sally McManus says unions are grappling with how to increase the racial diversity in their leadership.
FWC President Adam Hatcher has asked parties to the SCHADS award gender undervaluation case to consider participating in an ASU-proposed conference to resolve outstanding issues, saying that if it proceeds, he will give any consensus deal arising from it "significant weight".
Labour law expert Ron McCallum says ahead of this year's annual debate named in his honour that a "wellbeing index" for employers, and stronger measures to boost mental health, fairness and inclusion, could all help drive up productivity.
The ASU will forge ahead with nationwide protests tomorrow despite the Australian Industry Group's accusations that it is engaging in unlawful retaliation and intimidation, ahead of a hearing of the SCHADS award gender undervaluation case on Monday.
The FSU says employers are now on notice that they must have genuine business grounds for refusing flexible work arrangements, after the FWC made orders to enable a Westpac employee to work from home to care for her children, finding "no question" her role can be "performed completely remotely".
The FWC has approved the SDA's plan to add three women-only roles to its national executive, to guarantee 25% of the majority-female union's national executive are women, up from the current 11%.
