The Fair Work Commission recently found that the dismissal of a ferry master for breach of his employer’s drug and alcohol policy was unfair. The decision highlights the need for ...
The Fair Work Commission recently found that the dismissal of a ferry master for breach of his employer’s drug and alcohol policy was unfair. The decision highlights the need for employers to be cautious when dismissing an employee for breaching a ‘zero tolerance’ drug and alcohol policy.
There are a number of changes commencing on 1 July 2014 that will increase labour costs for employers.
In the recent case of Keegan v Sussan Corporation (Aust.) Pty Ltd [1] an employee was awarded just under $240,000 in damages after being bullied for 11 days.
It is important that employers are aware of the changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 that commenced on 1 January 2014. Cooper Grace Ward’s employment and workplace relations team has prepared a brief summary of the key changes.
The Federal Court recently ordered a contractor accountant to pay $476,000 in damages for sexual harassment. The contractor was employed by Robert Walters Pty Ltd and placed at Living & Leisure Australia Ltd (LLA) to assist with accountancy duties.
The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 was passed in the Queensland Parliament on Thursday night, despite being hotly contested.
On 1 July 2013 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) introduced a raft of changes to the Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa program that has many, including migration agents, confused.
On 1 July 2013, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) introduced a raft of changes to the Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa program that has created many areas of uncertainty. In particular, there are a number of amendments that affect current and future standard business sponsors.
From 1 July 2013, the definition of a ‘worker’ for the purposes of the workers’ compensation legislation in Queensland will be narrowed. The new definition will mean that fewer independent contractors will be required to be covered under a principal’s workers’ compensation policy. The changes will particularly affect contractors in
Following the recent review of the Fair Work legislation, Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has announced that he intends to introduce legislation that will include significant changes to the unfair dismissal laws under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Last Friday the High Court unanimously found that the Bendigo Regional Institute of Technical and Further Education (BRIT) did not take adverse action against its employee Gregory Barclay, for a reason prohibited by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
The application of the modern award system creates many challenges for employers. There is a common misconception that an employer can simply pay above award wages to an award-covered employee in lieu of overtime, penalties, loadings and allowances.
Cooper Grace Ward acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Fast, accurate and flexible entities including companies, self-managed superannuation funds and trusts.