Topics: Workplace relations and safety

The introduction of the Passenger Vehicle Transport Award 2010 (Award) on 1 January 2010 reignited the debate as to the interpretation of the minimum “engagement” for casual employees in the bus industry.

This recent decision illustrates that the courts will protect sensitive pricing information and models associated with insurance product pricing. Australian Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd (AIH) successfully sought an interlocutory injunction preventing an ex-employee from working for a competitor in certain defined roles.

It has become commonplace for insurance broking firms to insert “restraint of trade” provisions into employment contracts in an attempt to prevent ex-employees taking “their book” with them to a new employer. A recent New South Wales Supreme Court decision provides useful guidance on the courts’ approach to such clauses.

The Paid Parental Leave Bill was passed into law on 17 June 2010 and provides a new paid parental leave scheme for Australian workers. From 1 January 2011 the scheme provides the primary carer of a new-born child (or adopted child) leave for up to 18 weeks at the national

The unfair dismissal provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009 have been operating since 1 July 2009. One major change involved the widening of employee eligibility to make an unfair dismissal application. In contrast, the timeframe for making an unfair dismissal application was reduced from 21 to 14 days after

The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal recently rejected an interlocutory application by an employer to dismiss a complaint where the employee had signed a deed of release that included a clause releasing the employer from any future claims.

The changes to the Fair Work Act on 1 January 2010 will not only affect businesses currently operating under the Fair Work Act, but will also affect private sector employers currently operating in the State industrial relations jurisdiction of Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania.

The New South Wales Supreme Court has awarded financial broking company, Tullett Prebon (Australia) Pty Ltd, more than $500,000 damages after a finding that its former employee had breached their employment contract.

The Safe Work Act 2009, the model national occupational health and safety laws, was released on 28 September 2009. This bulletin provides an overview on the key features of the proposed Act.

Clients will be aware that the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) and Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 (Cth) (Transitional Act) commenced operation on 1 July 2009. This bulletin outlines, in summary, a number of features of these laws and how they will impact on

A former female building consultant employed by a well-known South Australian housing company has been awarded $466,000, plus costs, for being sexually harassed by two male employees and having her employment subsequently terminated.