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Legislation changes for ACT incorporated associations

It is important for any organisation to stay on top of regulatory changes. For associations incorporated in the ACT (Associations) there have been at least two important changes to be aware, changes to the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) (Associations Act) and the potential new requirement to have a Whistleblower Policy, brought in by the …
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Open hand welcoming

What can my employer do with my fingerprints?

A closer look at biometric data in the workplace A recent decision of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has provided some insight into the collection and use of sensitive information in the workplace. In the case of Jeremy Lee v Superior Wood Pty Ltd [2019] FWCFB 2946, the FWC found that it was unfair for an …
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ACTPLA loses bid to revoke development approval

The ACT Planning and Land Authority has lost a case in the ACT Supreme Court where the Applicant, Capital Recycling Solutions, sought an order that a decision to revoke planning approval was void ab initio – or for most of us that aren’t familiar with Latin – had at no time legal validity. This is …
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Employment Law Series: Sexual harassment and #metoo – case update

Overview A number of Unfair Dismissal decisions before the FWC this year confirm that the #MeToo movement is gaining traction in Australia, with employers beginning to adopt a much higher standard of what is appropriate in the workplace and taking swift action in dismissing workers engaging in inappropriate behaviour. The #MeToo movement has encouraged victims …
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Employment Law Series: Disputes arising from employment termination – Unfair dismissal

As we all know, often termination is challenging and if not handled delicately can result in a dispute.  The common disputes that arise out of employment termination are: Unfair Dismissal; and General Protection claims. In this article, we examine unfair dismissal. Who can claim for unfair dismissal? The unfair dismissal regime applies to national system …
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Employment Law Series: Disputes arising from employment termination – general protection claims & adverse action

As we all know, often termination is challenging and if not handled delicately can result in a dispute.  The common disputes that arise out of employment termination are: Unfair Dismissal; and General Protection claims. In this article, we examine general protection claims. General Protections One of the primary objectives of the Fair Work Act 2009 …
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Employment Law Series: Ending Employment – Serious Misconduct

It is fair for an employer to dismiss an employee without notice or warning when the employee’s conduct is sufficiently serious to justify immediate dismissal (summary dismissal)[1]. The reasons must be sound, defensible and well founded. It cannot merely be a matter of the employer showing that it believed on reasonable grounds that the employee …
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Employment Law Series: Ending Employment – Resignations

The most common form of employment separation is where an employee provides an employer with Notice of their intention to end the employment relationship. This is usually consensual and the key consideration is normally whether sufficient Notice has been provided. Notice The required Notice can be set out in an enterprise agreement, employment agreement or …
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