A new ACCC class exemption for small businesses wanting to collectively bargain is a "big step forward" for gig economy workers and others classified as independent contractors, but it comes with significant limitations, according to IR academics.
The modern award system might have comprehensively whittled down previous iterations but its complexity still baffles some users, according to the Attorney-General's Department.
A company accused of sacking a manager for refusing to "rort" JobKeeper has told a court it dismissed him for poor performance and a loss of trust, but has declined to plead to many allegations due to an ongoing criminal investigation.
RAFFWU has accused the ACTU of using the IR roundtable process to try to limit the role of unregistered unions in negotiating and challenging the approval of agreements, warning such a move will in time be "weaponised" against all unions.
The FWC has found that allowing a large employer to be legally represented would be "manifestly unfair", rejecting its argument that excessive complexity would arise from its HR manager having to conduct the case and act as a witness.
The Ai Group has warned against a key recommendation of Victoria's landmark inquiry into the on-demand workforce, which called for codification of work status in the Fair Work Act rather than relying on "indistinct" common law tests.
In a decision traversing the circumstances in which the FWC will make findings about the legal status of Fair Work regulations, a full bench has rejected a bid to quash a coronavirus-driven agreement variation on the basis that recently-repealed shorter access provisions were invalid.
The FWC has ordered the reinstatement of a mine under-manager with an impeccable 40-year work record but docked $55,000 from his pay for misconduct that resulted in a colleague straining his leg.
