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".
A workplace relations specialist breached Australian Consumer Law by making misleading representations that it was associated with government agencies, the Full Federal Court has ruled on appeal.
The High Court's WorkPac ruling ends employers' uncertainty over class actions and reinforces the importance of setting clear expectations when employing casuals, a workplace lawyer says.
The High Court has put an end to the "turbulent" case law involving casual employment for the past few years, in overturning a ruling that a casual should have received permanent employee entitlements.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
