Just a month after declaring its intention to delete "Schedule X" unpaid pandemic leave provisions, the recent COVID-19 resurgence has spurred the FWC to extend their operation in a handful of health and care awards, coinciding with the Federal Government reviving the pandemic leave disaster payments.
The Federal Court has this afternoon thrown out the latest challenge to COVID-19 public health orders, observing that whatever else the applicant's case lacked, it did not lack ambition.
In a decision reinstating a Regional Express pilot who missed a COVID-19 vaccination deadline, the FWC has expressed sympathy for the airline's "beleaguered HR staff", despite finding the sacking procedurally flawed.
The FWC has upheld Australia Post's sacking of a long-time employee who ignored directions not to return to a client's workplace after complaints he was spreading COVID-19 conspiracy theories.
An AGL worker who refused to provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 has won a time extension to contest her dismissal after the FWC accepted her application was delayed when the Commission redirected its mail from Perth to Melbourne.
A FWC member has sought to emphasise that jabs are a matter of choice for employees, rather than a "mandate" imposed by employers, as a tide of COVID-19 vaccination-related unfair dismissal cases work their way through the tribunal.
A senior FWC member has thrown out a union challenge to a Commonwealth-owned business's COVID-19 vaccination mandate, while observing that having a "predisposed view" does not mean an employer has failed to genuinely consult about new policies.
Many workers would forgo a pay rise of up to 10% to secure more say in where and when they work, according to a study that says the Fair Work Act is failing to keep up with flexible practices, while other research says WFH employees save an average of $10,000 a year.
The FWC in upholding the sacking of an unvaccinated KFC worker has found it "regrettable" HR sent auto-generated letters that led her to believe she was dismissed for abandoning her job.
