In a significant decision clarifying when the FWC can deal with unlawful dismissal matters, a four-member bench has upheld a finding that a bookstore worker alleging discrimination after being sacked for refusing to wear a mask needed to prosecute her case in court.
The FWC has observed that a Victorian worker's application to work full-time from home under flexible work arrangements was largely motivated by her opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations, in upholding her employer's refusal of her request.
Long-time online hearings proponent Commissioner Leigh Johns says the FWC will survey self-represented applicants and respondents to obtain the views of "outsiders" on the way forward for digital proceedings, after "insiders" appeared to hanker for the "good old days".
An aged care provider must compensate a caterer after providing insufficient warning that failing to wear masks correctly could lead to summary dismissal, the FWC has found.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of an airport worker who despite being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 stubbornly refused to provide proof of her inoculation.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of a risk and compliance manager who refused to meet a vaccination deadline, dismissing her request for a risk assessment as irrelevant in the context of approved COVID-19 vaccines and public health orders.
The TWU has vowed to fight for a substantial compensation package for almost 2000 former ground handlers and Qantas says it will appeal after a full court upheld a finding it took adverse action by outsourcing their roles, but refused to order reinstatement.
Qantas has failed to overturn a Federal Court adverse action finding over its shunning of a TWU in-house bid when the airline decided to outsource the work of 2000 ground-handlers.
A school counsellor sacked for failing to comply with COVID-19 mandates claims her principal emailed an IEU official to lament that she had sought direction from a "red" union instead of following his "excellent" advice.
The FWC has held that an aged care employer acted "prematurely" in dismissing an unvaccinated employee barred by state health orders from attending the workplace, finding no reason why he could not have continued to work from home as he had done for almost two years.
