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Office odours; dealing sensitively with smells
In order to function as part of a cohesive team, it is often necessary for individual workers to accept the differences of their colleagues, particularly when it comes to lifestyle…
Sacked for not smiling enough
Dismissing an employee for not smiling in staff photos was not “sound, defensible and well founded,” the Fair Work Commission has ruled in a recent case. A real estate agency…
Anti-bullying protests a wake-up call to all
A 200 strong protest of staff at a large distribution centre has seen workers taking a stand in order to raise concerns about alleged bullying and harassment by managers. As…
Are Australian bosses being bullied?
When an organisation is dealing with the issue of workplace bullying or harassment, it is common to assume that the victims are lower-level employees. However, the Australian Financial Review…
Former teacher claims age discrimination
A former teacher at a major Victorian university is accusing the institution of age discrimination, after being denied an extension to his contract in June 2009. Last week, the Age…
Discrimination danger: cricket culture clash a lesson for employers
Earlier this month, the story of an Australian cricketer who was exempted from wearing a team sponsor’s logo for religious reasons appeared in the press. Despite the furore surrounding this, with…
Investment bank accused of sexism and bullying
A major international investment bank has been accused of bullying behaviour and sexual discrimination by the organisation’s former Australian vice president. According to an article published by The Australian, the…
Racism at work damages productivity says Commissioner
Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane has spoken out about an alarming increase in racial hatred in Australian workplaces. In a speech that highlighted the importance of workplace anti-discrimination training,…
65 percent would not speak up on bullying
Would you speak up if you witnessed bullying? Almost two-thirds of Australians admit to witnessing bullying and not intervening, according to new research from the National Australia Bank and the…
Workplace mediation; myth or magic?
Dispute resolution in the workplace can be a daunting prospect for employers, particularly when interpersonal conflict or personality clashes come into play. Mediation services are offered by some HR consulting…
Court forces flight attendant to show Facebook activities
How much privacy can workers expect in the workplace? Should employers be allowed to demand access to an employee’s social media activities or financial records? In a recent New…
Sexual harassment claims – are HR Departments up to it?
Sexual harassment in the workplace can damage an organisation’s reputation particularly if the organisation fails to investigate and deal with the allegations appropriately and quickly. The Federal Court heard…
