Employers can avoid costly refusals to their sponsorship applications by taking some simple steps, a migration expert says. Also in this article: the debate about underpayments and IR reforms heats up; top payroll errors; HR tech priorities; and more.
A large employer will back-pay workers more than $2.3 million plus make a "contrition payment" after failing to pay appropriate overtime. Also in this article, a project to increase 'bystander interventions' reports early success; more CEOs are being appointed externally; and more.
Proposed discrimination legislation would impact codes of conduct at Australia's large employers. Also in this article: an employer's $7m classification mistake; voluntary mental health disclosures; and more.
In a novel enforceable undertaking agreed with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the celebrity chef who heads up a restaurant group that underpaid workers will have to educate fellow industry leaders about the importance of compliance.
The Federal Circuit Court has deemed an individual's financial situation almost irrelevant compared to the need for deterrence, in personally fining a him $39,000 for underpaying workers.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has warned employers to "get their house in order" or risk higher penalties under its new, tougher approach to non-compliance. Also in this article, data on the extent of unplanned sick leave around public holidays; an employer's 'identity' discrimination exemption; and more.
A new jurisdiction to deal with underpayments will be established if Labor wins the election on Saturday, opposition leader Bill Shorten has announced. Meanwhile, the major parties have revealed where they stand on workplace diversity; new-hire pay rates have increased slightly; and more.
Disclosing an employee's confidential medical condition to HR was reasonable management action, a court has confirmed on appeal. Also in this article: new rulings uphold employers' responses to mental health issues; Foodora to backpay 1,700 workers; and more.
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.
