The recent Fair Work Commission decisions in Brown v Park Beach Bowling Club Limited [2017] FWC 896 (Park Beach Bowling) highlights several important issues for employer’s who are subject to a complaint of bullying. The Low Burden to Make an Application In February...
Bullying: Prevention before the Fair Work Commission steps in
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Employee Surveys: Help or hindrance
Employee surveys can provide great feedback about the current sentiment, mood and opinions of employees. Such surveys can be utilised by employers to guide their long term strategic planning or budget planning as the end of the financial year approaches. Surveys may...
Sections 18c And 18d Of The Racial Discrimination Act And The Ahrc’s Processes
Recently an inquiry into Freedom of Speech was conducted by the Parliamentary Joint Committee into Human Rights. The inquiry considered whether sections 18C and 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) impose unreasonable restrictions on freedom of speech, and...
Reforms To Address Corporate Misuse Of The Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme
The Federal Government is currently considering reforms to the Corporations Act 2001 to curtail alleged misuse by employers and insolvency practitioners of the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme (FEG). A Department of Employment Consultation Paper has been issued as...
Building Code 2016 Developments
On 9 August 2017, the Senate will consider a motion proposed by Labor Senator Doug Cameron that the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (Building Code 2016) be disallowed. It is unlikely that the Senate will support the disallowance motion but...
Implementation of the FWC’s annual wage review and penalty rates decisions
Two pay adjustments were operative from 1 July 2017 – the Annual Wage Review (AWR) increase and some sensible adjustments to Sunday penalty rates in the fast food, retail and hospitality industries. The AWR increase of 3.3% recently awarded by the FWC is hefty...
FWC casual and part-time employment decision
On 6 July, a five-Member Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) handed down its decision in the Casual and Part-time Employment Case. Most of the unions’ claims, which would have wreaked havoc on Australia’s labour market, were rejected. The decision will...
Family and domestic violence leave case
Split decisions have been issued by the three Members of the FWC Full Bench that heard the Family and Domestic Violence Leave Case in which the ACTU sought 10 days of paid domestic violence leave. On 3 July 2017, Deputy President Gooley and Commissioner Spencer handed...
Increased Wage Rates and Allowances
The Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission has handed down its Annual Wage Review 2016-17 Decision. Key elements of the decision include: Award wage rates for full-time adult employees will be increased by 3.3 per cent; Junior, apprentice and trainee wage rates...
What to do when an employee is called up for jury duty?
Jury duty doesn’t come up often. However, when employees are called to make a contribution to our judicial system it can be impactful on your workplace for a few hours or maybe as long as a few months. In this context, it is important to understand your obligations as...