This Month
Make penalties on WFH part of productivity talks, business tells Labor
Employers will push for flexibility around work hours and penalty rates when employees work from home in talks with the workplace relations minister.
Sacked teacher uses right to disconnect to sue for $800k
The case is the first public legal action to cite the Albanese government’s new right to disconnect laws.
May
Slater and Gordon knew about fraudster’s history, lawsuit alleges
Former chief people officer Mari Ruiz-Matthyssen also claims the firm was aware that Bridgett Maddox had attempted to access internal systems after she was suspended.
Labor’s ‘same job same pay’ risks making labour hire unviable: FWC
The umpire accepted a $35,000 pay rise could lead to job losses and the end of labour hire contracts in mining – but that did not outweigh unfairness to workers.
Labor’s portable leave scheme stymied by long service leave
The notorious problem of harmonising long service leave will either significantly raise costs for employers or lead to worker losses.
Law firm fined for forcing junior to work 24-hour days
The lawyer worked 225 hours in just three weeks and was even forced to watch an ice hockey movie at 1am so she could understand her boss’s philosophical position.
Grill’d may be forced to pay staff up to 37pc more
Unions have applied to axe the chain’s expired agreement covering 4300 workers across 149 stores, which would restore full weekend penalty rates for the first time in years.
April
Perpetual sued to stop clients moving after Ord Minnett raid. It lost
Two courts rejected the firm’s bid to enforce “extremely broad” non-solicitation clauses, in cases that reveal it has already lost 22 clients and fears 200 more are at risk.
Chemist Warehouse targeted in case that may open pharmacies to unions
The retail union has launched a case to force Chemist Warehouse to bargain for a multi-employer agreement as it seeks to lift pay and reduce casuals in the pharmacy sector.
Ruling on leave adds $1m to one business’ costs in a stroke
Employers want legislative changes in response to landmark rulings that mean thousands of businesses have huge backpay bills for portable long service leave.
Westpac says loan fraud whistleblower got bigger bonus, not cast out
The bank’s former head of risk and treasury audit says she was victimised after raising concerns two years ago that some mortgage brokers were faking documents.
Labor MP turned umpire targeted over ‘same job, same pay’ support
Fair Work Commission deputy president Terri Butler is facing legal action that could stop her dealing with key parts of Labor’s agenda on the grounds of apprehended bias.
No repeal, but Coalition open to changing ‘same job same pay’ laws
A Dutton government would assess changes to Labor’s laws as part of a review originally agreed to by the Albanese government, even as Peter Dutton ruled out repealing the legislation.
Maurice Blackburn strikes deal with staff after 12-month stand-off
The workers’ rights law firm has reached a deal with staff, which includes pay rises of up to 12.5 per cent over three years.
Prince Harry ‘sent unpleasant and imperious message’ to charity boss
The Duke of Sussex allegedly demanded the Sentebale chair “explain herself” after she refused to issue a statement defending his wife.
March
Judge slams CFMEU administrator for resisting coercion probe
A CFMEU official allegedly threatened one owner on the Monash Freeway project that he would take his soul and rip his head off.
What Labor got wrong about non-competes
Protecting low-paid childcare workers, yoga teachers and hairdressers makes sense, but the devil is in the detail.
HCF CEO allegedly froze out leadership rival before sacking her
The health insurance giant’s former chief information officer says staff were told she was terminated despite a “vague” investigation yet to be finished.
Slaters refers former staffer to police over incendiary mass email
The law firm says a forensic investigation has found the sender of the infamous memo had access to sensitive data and was familiar with its cybersecurity.
Is a non-compete clause for your hairdresser overkill?
Barney Martin sold his salon partly because staff kept going freelance. But stylists told a Treasury-commissioned study they shouldn’t have to leave their loyal clients behind.