Overtime practices adopted by employees without authorisation can take on "a life of their own", a lawyer warns following a class action ruling that has "broad" implications for employers.
A group of employees who worked overtime "regularly and extensively" without obtaining formal permission did so with "implied" authorisation, a court has found.
Conflicts of interest aren't always problematic, but "hiding or failing to manage one is", according to a new report calling for better education and internal controls.
The Federal Court has criticised an employer that ignored a recommendation about a misconduct investigation, and instead proceeded to dismiss an employee, noting its "unfortunate" decision breached its enterprise agreement.
An employee who relied on legal advice and delayed informing his workplace of pending criminal charges has been denied permission to appeal his failed unfair dismissal claim, with a full bench affirming his workplace reporting obligations outweighed his lawyer's advice.
An employer has achieved a 50% increase in men taking parental leave, and a 75% reduction in women resigning while on parental leave, since making its policy more inclusive.
An employer failed to "fulsomely engage" with an employee and consider all available options when determining her flexible work request, a Fair Work Commission full bench has found in appeal proceedings.
An employee has failed to argue a different standard of conduct applied during a consultative meeting, in appealing against the severity of disciplinary action imposed on him for poor behaviour.
More than one-third of Australian workers have taken leave for more than four consecutive weeks for reasons other than a holiday, and for many the return is far from smooth, highlighting how important it is for organisations to offer proactive support.
A long-serving employee who was legally advised to "hold off" on reporting criminal charges to his employer has lost his unfair dismissal claim, with the Fair Work Commission finding his code of conduct obligations were "unambiguously" clear.
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.
