HR & Workplace Relations
10 year legal battle, 60,000 word judgment – how workplace conflict can get out of control
10 year legal battle, 60,000 word judgment – how workplace conflict can get out of control In organisations of more than one person, work is a team enterprise. The…
Read MoreBully buckers? FWC issues only one anti-bullying order under new regime
The Fair Work Commission has issued just one anti-bullying order, despite over 500 complaints being made under its new anti-bullying jurisdiction up to the end of September 2014. The FWC’s…
Read More‘Chemical brothers’: alleged workplace drug fiends compensated after procedural flaws in unfair dismissal
(Our apologies for an incorrect link in our newsletter. Please click here for the “Too scared to manage: public service sickie plague worsens as managers fear bullying complaints” article) …
Read MoreToo scared to manage: public service sickie plague worsens as managers fear bullying complaints
Too scared to manage: public service sickie plague worsens as managers fear bullying complaints. A sickie epidemic in our nation’s capital is growing out of control as fear of…
Read MoreCompany cops $19,000 penalty for failing to consult on redundancies
Company cops $19,000 penalty for failing to consult on redundancies The CFMEU has persuaded a mining company to wear a major fine by consent for failing to consult with the…
Read MoreBullying 24/7? What constitutes being bullied “at work”?
At first glance, the definition of the “workplace” in the context of bullying seems straightforward. However, with the increased prevalence of electronic communications, including smart phones and social media, this…
Read MoreWorkers lodge first complaint against union under new bullying laws
Workers lodge first complaint against union under new bullying laws. In the first action against a union under the federal workplace bullying laws, three workers have applied for stop bullying…
Read MoreMassive $200,000 fine for underpaying workers a timely reminder for employers to understand and apply correct industrial awards
Massive $200,000 fine for underpaying workers a timely reminder for employers to understand and apply correct industrial awards The Federal Court has fined a company almost $200,000 for underpaying its…
Read MoreTrickle of bullying cases under new Fair Work regime, but employers must still take care
Trickle of bullying cases under new Fair Work regime, but employers must still take care Despite the small number of cases considered by the Fair Work Commission’s new anti-bullying jurisdiction,…
Read More“Scabs – no guts”: workplace abuse or freedom of speech?
“Scabs- no guts”: workplace abuse or freedom of speech? 21 October 2014 In an important decision, the High Court has upheld the sacking of a miner who waved a sign…
Read More$29k compensation for ‘racist’ email sender
$29k compensation for ‘racist’ email sender 30 September 2014 An employee who used the company email system to send an offensive, anti-Muslim email has been awarded compensation of almost $29,000…
Read MoreWorkplace bullying linked to law enforcement suicide
Allegations have emerged in the news this week that workplace bullying could have contributed to the suicide of a law enforcement agency employee. An inquiry by the Coroner is currently…
Read MoreSolicitor who secretly videoed harassment, claims “Asperger’s” defence
Solicitor who secretly videoed harassment claims “Asperger’s” defence 17 July 2014 Judge Pamela Jenkins has described a solicitor’s conduct as “intolerable, disgraceful and dishonourable” and ordered that he be temporarily…
Read MoreIs exclusion the worst form of bullying?
If an employee is being bullied in the workplace, it is likely they wish their tormentors would just leave them alone. However, under Australian legislation, being ignored by your colleagues…
Read MoreUnfair dismissal sparked by mental health issues: “totally unreasonable”
Unfair dismissal sparked by mental health issues: “totally unreasonable” 10 July 2014 The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ruled the dismissal of a Melbourne engineer was “invalid and unfair” due…
Read MoreCafe fined after cook docked $112 for soggy crackling
Cafe fined after cook docked $112 for soggy crackling 1 July 2014 A cafe in Perth has landed in hot water after a workplace investigation from the Fair Work Ombudsman…
Read More“Borderline” behaviour not bullying under FW Act
When an individual is subject to unreasonable and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, it can be easy to assume this automatically constitutes bullying or harassment. However, a recent decision from the…
Read MoreLessons learnt in FWC’s “reasonable management action” decision
Lessons learnt in FWC’s “reasonable management action” decision 20 May 2014 The Fair Work Commission’s decision last week to dismiss an application where the actions of the employer were deemed…
Read MoreIs workplace bullying hurting families?
Failing to address bullying and harassment in the workplace can not only impact on employees’ health but can also damage the wellbeing of their families, according to a recent article.…
Read MoreSurprising statistics in FWC’s first anti-bullying quarterly report
Surprising statistics in FWC’s first anti-bullying quarterly report 29 April 2014 The Fair Work Commission has released its first quarterly anti-bullying report after the introduction of the new anti-bullying legislation…
Read MoreBullying victim told: “Put some lippy on and go home to your bub”
Bullying victim told: “Put some lippy on and go home to your bub” 24 April 2014 A recent case in the Supreme Court of Queensland showed just how costly it…
Read MorePot-smoking ship master’s dismissal was harsh
Pot-smoking ship master’s dismissal was harsh 22 April 2014 Despite being in breach of his company’s clear zero-tolerance drug policy, a ferry driver who admitted smoking marijuana has won an…
Read More28 Percent of HR managers not ready for bullying complaints
With recent amendments to the Fair Work Act and changes to legislation seemingly always on the horizon, it can be difficult remaining compliant with laws and regulations surrounding HR in…
Read MoreKnow your rights: What to do when the unions come knocking
Know your rights: What to do when the unions come knocking 27 March 2014 When the union knocks on your door with the intention of conducting a workplace investigation, are…
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