Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth), employers must take all reasonable steps to create a safe workplace for all employees by eliminating or minimising the risk of harm. This obligation extends to properly investigate workplace allegations such as misconduct, bullying, harassment, discrimination and fraud. How to Conduct a Workplace Investigation Unfortunately, there …
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There are many changes to the laws and regulations commencing over the next 6 months. Here we summarise some of those key changes: PROPERTY Some lucky buyers will no longer have to pay stamp duty on properties purchased in the ACT. Stamp duty has been abolished on properties sold in the ACT from 1 July …
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Metro North Hospital and Health Service has been ordered to pay former Queensland Assistant Health Minister Dr Christopher Davis, $1.45 million for a contravention of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). In August 2014, Dr Davis applied for the position of Senior Medical Officer at the Hospital. Another applicant was advised that he was unsuccessful for …
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The Fair Work Commission has ordered the reinstatement of a teacher terminated by her employer, after the teacher gave a child with allergies a chocolate. A student at the Hills Christian Community School was known to suffer from a number of allergies. The teacher provided the student with a chocolate treat. The school maintained that …
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A “Responsible Person” is a person that is responsible for governing a charity, for example a member of the board or committee or trustee of a charity. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has high expectations on Responsible Persons and ACNC Governance Standard 4 is premised on the expectation that Responsible Persons governing a charity are …
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If you employ staff under Modern Awards you should read this article as there are important changes coming into effect on 1 December 2018 as a result of the Fair Work Commission’s decision on the review of family-friendly work arrangements in Modern Awards. The decision finalises the model term to be included all in Modern …
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Many employers operate under the misunderstanding that workplace discrimination laws only apply when considering the interests of those who are current employees. However, the following two examples, one on mental illness and another on criminal records, highlight that such considerations also extend to the recruitment process including prospective employees. Mental illness Chalker v Murrays Australia …
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The Fair Work Commission publishes an annual report outlining the Fair Work Commissions performance for the financial year. Check out below the key stats: Unfair Dismissal More than half of the claims resolved at conciliation Approximately a quarter of the claims resolved prior to conciliation 50% of claims were finalised within 30 days, and 90% …
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Did you know that 71% of Australians have been sexually harassed at some point in their lifetime, of which 33% occurred at work in the last five years? The results of the 2018 National Survey highlighted this high rate of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Other notable outcomes were: Perpetrators were most often a co-worker …
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Overview The Fair Work Commission has updated all industry and occupation Awards, whereby all employees covered by a Modern Award (including part-time and casual employees), are now entitled to 5 days unpaid family and domestic violence leave (DVL), effective 1 August 2018. There is talk that this should be legislated for all employees irrespective of …
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