Industrial relations, disputes & unions | Page 14 (564 items)

The Fair Work Commission has made recommendations – but stopped short of orders – after an employee lodged a dispute about his right to convert from casual to permanent employment.

Australia's "far too complicated" industrial relations system requires numerous changes to afford both employers and employees more flexibility, an employer group says.

Unions are now targeting paid breaks in court actions, and employers are at risk of overlooking this area of compliance, says former Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James.

Many organisations will take comfort in the High Court's finding that written agreements are the determining factor in whether a worker is an employee or contractor, but this doesn't mean they can become complacent, a lawyer warns.

It was "impossible to conclude" that a worker was a contractor rather than an employee, the High Court has found in one of two rulings with important ramifications for all employers.

Two High Court rulings have emphasised the importance of contractual rights and obligations when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor.

With unions calling for employers to manage workers' health and safety using rapid antigen tests and improved masks, an employment lawyer outlines some important issues to consider upfront.

Workplace advisory Employsure has today been fined $1 million for making misleading representations that it was affiliated with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The Fair Work Commission has declined to block five employers from disciplining employees who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccination, after finding they could suffer "irrecoverable" financial detriment by retaining them.

An employee who refuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has failed to prevent impending disciplinary action, with a court describing her adverse action claim as "exceedingly weak".