In a signal to employers that they must have systems in place to ensure they promptly provide information the FWC requires to launch a protected action ballot, the Federal Court has imposed a substantial fine on waste giant Cleanaway for a short delay in the "time-critical" process, while warning that in more egregious cases larger penalties would be warranted.
The FWC has refused to further delay a sick legal secretary's unfair dismissal hearing after almost six years of adjournments, and will consider any further extension requests "vexatious".
In a significant decision on principles of open justice, gas giant Santos has won confidentiality orders on its second attempt as it defends its sacking of a former outlaw motorcycle gang member accused of s-xually harassing a 22-year-old apprentice.
A truck driver sacked without notice via a Saturday afternoon voicemail following the sale of his employer's business has won compensation, including a payment to cover the cost of "upskilling" his licence.
An employer had insufficient evidence to support its sacking of a manager who consumed up to 15 standard drinks the day and evening before his 7am start, the FWC has ruled.
The Ai Group has told a Senate inquiry that the jobs transition plan in the Net Zero Bill currently before parliament "treads on very sensitive ground" when set against the established treatment of redundancies in Australia's IR framework.
A construction company has failed in its bid to stop potential strikes amid claims of union interference in the protected action ballot process, the FWC pointing out that it cannot make orders preventing industrial action yet to be endorsed or notified.
A judge has warned the FWO of a possible "perception" it failed to comply with its model litigant obligations after dropping the "most serious" claim of threatening behaviour from a CFMEU right of entry case as part of a liability deal.
An international retailer, TK Maxx, has pleaded guilty to seven breaches of Victoria's child employment laws at one of its stores, with the Melbourne Magistrates Court placing it on an adjourned undertaking for 12 months with the condition it pay $5,000 to the court fund.
In a significant judgment on the FWC's powers, a full Federal Court has today dismissed a major hospitality group's claim that a Commission bench exhibited bias when it voiced its concerns about an already-approved agreement ultimately revealed to have been voted up by three venue managers and a payroll employee not covered by it.
