The Federal Circuit Court has held that an employer was obliged to dock four hours' pay from workers attending a lunchtime talk on asbestos that ran 45 minutes over time, noting a supervisor who considered it "unremarkable" had no authority to extend the meeting.
The coronavirus pandemic requires a temporary but fundamental reconsideration of the Fair Work Act's safety net, according to a joint bid to vary a key award to provide substantial operational and hours flexibility.
Flight Centre is hoping that thousands of workers it has stood down will be able pick up short-term work with in-demand services, such as call centres that have been squeezed by coronavirus lockdowns in The Philippines and India.
The Federal Court has rejected a "novel" contention that the FWC would be invalidly exercising judicial power if it arbitrated a dispute under an agreement an employer inherited after winning a Defence Department tender.
NSW has passed legislation to give workers earlier and more flexible access to long service during the COVID-19 pandemic and possibly providing a model for other states.
A joint ACCI and Ai Group application is being made to the FWC today to allow reductions in working hours while keeping the same hourly rate of pay for up to one million workers covered by the clerks award.
The FWC has moved quickly to endorse coronavirus redeployment measures agreed between the UWU and DHL Supply Chain, enabling employees to maintain their terms and conditions while temporarily working in other industry sectors.
The Australian Industry Group is working with the ACTU to fast-track changes to key awards to increase the flexibility of working hours and leave in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The UWU has hailed decisions by casino operators Star Entertainment Group and Crown Resorts to make what are believed to be the country's first large-scale payments of two weeks' "pandemic leave" to almost 20,000 workers facing standdowns.
One of Australia's leading fashion groups will tomorrow shutter almost 1300 clothing stores and standdown about 6800 employees, as the retail sector buckles under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
