An industry group is hoping to press ahead with a pioneering multi-employer agreement for heating, ventilation and air conditioning businesses in NSW, after the AMWU provided reassurance that it remains committed to negotiations derailed by a contested union election.
An employer took adverse action against two union delegates when it retrenched them four hours before the deadline for voluntary redundancies, a court has found.
In ordering a witness to attend a hearing in person, a NSW IRC member has highlighted "real pitfalls when evidence is not given in person" and emphasised that despite the widespread acceptance of virtual appearances at the height of COVID-19, there is no "presumption in favour of granting an order that evidence be given by [audio-visual link]".
A Federal Court majority has today dealt a hammer blow to NSW's and Victoria's pursuit of employers alleged to have avoided long service leave entitlements to casuals, ruling that a tribunal's reading of the Fair Work Act's LSL provision produced an "absurdity" whereby employers received "no warning" they could be held criminally liable for supposed non-payments.
Underpaying employers could face fines of more than $4 million or three times the sum involved, while individuals such as directors and HR managers could face imprisonment and penalties up to $825,000 per breach under further wage theft reforms being considered by the Albanese Government.
A prosecutor who says working from home one day a week improves his mental health has failed to budge Queensland Police's rejection of his flexibility request, with a tribunal supporting its contention that his best bet might be seeking a "suitable duties" plan.
The FWC has granted an extension of time for a unfair dismissal application sent six days late because the worker's computer was infected with malware.
The FWC has speculated that an energy company in the midst of a $1.5 billion buying spree "presumably has a contingency plan in place" after rejecting its bid to have thousands of new employees covered by a 12-year-old deal that would leave some on below-award wages.
A new set of flexible work principles for the Australian Public Service aspire to make all roles flexible - while continuing to meet organisational needs - and will provide the basis for unions and government to negotiate a common flexibility term for public sector agreements.
The looming bargaining round in the Victorian commercial construction sector might be shaping as the first test for the Albanese Government's new tripartite National Construction Industry Forum.
