Category: Industrial & Employment Law
What is disability discrimination?
In this article, we discuss disability discrimination, and the process involved in bringing a complaint about disability discrimination in Australia. We focus in particular on the federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Probation periods at work – understanding your rights
It is common practice in Australia for a clause related to a probationary period to be included in your employment contract. In this blog, we explore entitlements and protections related to probation periods under the Fair Work Act, and other general rights and entitlements while on probation.
Misleading and deceptive conduct in the workplace
Misrepresentation involves providing false or misleading information that induces another party to act, leading to potential harm or loss. In the workplace, misleading and deceptive conduct by employees or employers can lead to financial, professional and legal consequences.
Defamation claims resulting from a workplace investigation
A lot of employees ask, ‘can I be defamed during a workplace investigation?’ Most workplace investigations will involve some form of allegation or accusation. Defamation laws exist to protect a person’s reputation, including protection from unfounded accusations.
Redundancy pay and notice entitlements
A genuine redundancy occurs when an employee’s employment is terminated at the employer’s initiative because the employer no longer requires that job to be done by anyone. The exception to this is where the employment ends due to the “ordinary and customary turnover of labour”.
External accountants fined $70,000 in Federal Court case brought by Fair Work Ombudsman
An accountancy firm and a principal advisor from the firm have been fined almost $70,000 for contraventions of the Fair Work Act 2009. The firm was the accountant for a number of entities being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman for failure to keep employee records in contravention of the Act.
Make a without prejudice offer to settle a dispute with your employer
If an employee wants to shortcut the workplace disciplinary process, or they’re having a tough time at work and want to look at negotiating an exit, they can consider making a ‘without prejudice’ offer to settle the dispute by offering to resign in return for a settlement payout.
Church employee unfairly dismissed for getting COVID vaccine
The Fair Work Commission determines that a Church employee’s dismissal for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was unfair and awards $8,000 in compensation.
Australian workers have the “Right to Disconnect” outside usual hours
Laws giving employees the right to refuse employer contact outside working hours came into effect from 26 August 2024 for employees of non-small businesses (15 or more employees). The same rights will become available for small business employees from 26 August 2025.
The process of unfair dismissal claims in the Fair Work Commission
If you’ve been terminated and you believe that termination is harsh, unjust or unreasonable, you may be eligible for an unfair dismissal claim in the Fair Work Commission.
Closing Loopholes No. 2: independent contractor arrangements
From 26 August 2024, the Fair Work Act definition of “employee” has changed. The changes were made to address issues related to the classification and treatment of independent contractors, ensuring fairer work conditions and protections for such workers.
New rules for fixed term employment contracts from December 2023
Fixed term employment contracts are contracts that terminate at the end of an agreed specified period. Since December 2023, changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 now ensure that fixed term employment contracts have a maximum contract period of no more than two years.