COVID-19 has caused unfair dismissal claims and stand down disputes to skyrocket. Also in this article: gender pay progress stalls; mental health is the biggest issue facing employers; and more.
Allowing employees to take 10 days' personal leave per year regardless of how many hours they work would give rise to "absurd and inequitable outcomes", the High Court has ruled in overturning the landmark Mondelez decision.
The Federal Government is injecting an extra $15.6 million into the JobKeeper scheme, reversing some of the tightened eligibility rules announced as part of 'JobKeeper 2.0'.
A Fair Work Commission full bench decision to vary three health sector modern awards to include paid pandemic leave "has come completely out of left field", says a workplace lawyer.
A senior manager's unfair dismissal claim can proceed after a COVID-19 salary reduction put her below the high-income threshold, the Fair Work Commission has ruled. Also in this article: amended JobKeeper directions prioritise full-time workers; in-house labour hire EAs blocked; and more.
The Fair Work Ombudsman will now approach compliance and enforcement with greater flexibility as a result of "dramatically changed economic conditions" caused by the coronavirus.
The Federal Government rightly prioritised speed over perfection in rolling out pandemic business supports, but design flaws could "bite" in the coming months if they don't get urgent attention, according to a new thinktank report.
The High Court has updated and publicised its s-xual harassment policies in the wake of findings against a former judge. Also in this article, Western Australia's new IR bill; an employee retrenched at the height of COVID-19 who saw her employer advertising jobs weeks later can claim unfair dismissal; and more.
The ABC is backpaying $12 million plus a $600k contrition payment after underpaying nearly 2,000 employees. Also in this article, ACCC allegations against a workplace advisor; minimum wages rise; and more.
With IR reform discussions now underway, a workplace lawyer has called for a "reawakening" of some older practices as an alternative to simplifying modern awards.
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.
