A 65-year-old employee who forwarded an "entirely inappropriate" anti-Muslim email to multiple work colleagues has failed to obtain reinstatement due to a "real possibility" he would reoffend - and damage his employer's reputation in the process.
A supervisor found to be unfairly dismissed after sending a p-rnographic email at work has been denied reinstatement, after the Fair Work Commission ruled it was reasonable to expect higher standards from a leader than from regular employees.
This year has been an exceptionally challenging one for HR professionals. The new anti-bullying jurisdiction kicked off; social media evolution outpaced the development of associated workplace policies and responses; and there was no shortage of new case law on everything from unfair dismissal to restraint clauses.
Turning up to a conference still intoxicated from a work function the night before did not constitute gross misconduct by an executive, a court has ruled in awarding him nearly $300,000 in damages.
A boss who engaged in "intolerable, disgraceful and dishonourable" conduct when he s-xually harassed a female trainee has had his penalty reduced, after an appeal court agreed it was "manifestly excessive".
Employers that initially fail to deal with social media misuse in the workplace could be waiving their right to address that misconduct at a later date, warns an employment lawyer.
An executive has been ordered to pay some of the costs her employer incurred in defending her high-profile adverse action claim, after the Federal Court found her allegations of s-xual misconduct were unreasonable.
A court has upheld an employer's decision to keep a complainant's identity confidential in a misconduct investigation, saying the decision was in line with "carefully considered" workplace policies.
A manager who ran her office like a private business - making payments to herself and others without regard to her employer's procedures - committed serious misconduct, a court has ruled, finding the "cumulative effect" of her breaches justified dismissal.
An employee who was fired for sending an anti-Muslim email at work has been awarded almost $29,000 in compensation, after the Fair Work Commission found his termination was harsh and unreasonable.
When an employer receives a complaint or becomes aware of a conduct issue, it's not always appropriate to go down a traditional disciplinary path. This HR Daily Premium Q&A will discuss alternative options and how to determine which is best in various circumstances.
Recent constructive dismissal claims highlight the risks involved in accepting a resignation from an employee who is experiencing mental health issues. Watch this Q&A to understand the rulings' implications for all employers.
