Australia had less need than other countries to turn to legislation to provide short-term workplace flexibility in response to COVID-19 because of "swift" and "bold" yet self-restrained interventions by the FWC, according to new research.
The insights gained from the rapid shift to working from home during COVID-19 could lead to the adoption of a "genuine consultation" requirement under the Fair Work Act's "right to request" flexibility that might start "a conversation aimed at reaching a mutually suitable arrangement", according to a new paper by two leading IR academics.
An aged care facility manager accusing a HR manager of "gaslighting" her by failing to reveal she was being investigated claims she returned from leave to find a complaints meeting underway in her own office.
A RTBU delegate dismissed after managers found him "impossible" to deal with has been ordered to pay his employer's costs of defending his unsuccessful adverse action case, in which a judge found he unreasonably rejected settlement offers despite clear evidence he would never be reinstated.
Vaccination mandate for WA resources sector; CFMMEU preparing to expel rioting members; FWO claws back underpayments for hotel quarantine security guards; High Court to consider jurisdictional question.
The AAT has found a real estate agent eligible for FEG payments reflecting the balance of sales commissions even though they became payable on the post-administration settlement of properties, quashing an Attorney-General's Department decision to the contrary.
The FWC has upheld a construction company's dismissal of a receptionist who juggled work with caring for a grandson with special needs, finding the small business was "exceptionally flexible and considerate" but the situation became untenable.
A pistol club accused of underpaying a manager for more than a decade and threatening to sack and evict her when she sought her full entitlements is claiming that she was largely a volunteer who worked "minimal" hours to preserve her welfare payments, despite being named as manager on its website.
The FWC has awarded costs against IR advisor Unfair Dismissals Australia for its "delinquent" representation of a dismissed accountant, observing that a paid agent "should never be a bystander or passenger in the conduct of their client’s case".
