This Month
Safety investigation launched at UTS over KPMG’s job slashing plan
It’s unusual for the workplace safety watchdog to investigate white-collar workplaces, but staff anger is at boiling point.
Workers’ compensation scheme needs to be reformed
With the burgeoning cost of psychological injury claims, it’s reasonable to question if the scheme’s coverage of injury complaints is too broad.
NSW workers compensation reforms hit a snag
The Coalition will oppose the Minns government’s plan to make it harder to claim for psychological injuries.
May
S--- happens: Salesforce Tower suffers sewage leak
Building manager Lendlease must have been secretly relieved people don’t go to the office on Fridays when the foyer filled with sewage.
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.
Miner sacked for ute brawl with workmate over dozers wins job back
The Fair Work Commission overruled BHP’s zero tolerance approach to fights and held a miner repeatedly punching his colleague was a proportionate response to an attack.
Top-tier firms ‘exploiting young lawyers over long hours’
The legal profession is renowned for its damagingly long hours, but new laws are putting “reasonable additional hours” clauses under new scrutiny.
April
A Trump-proof Australia needs productive industrial relations
The lack of a real election contest over greater workplace flexibility will condemn Australia to lower productivity and leave the nation less protected.
March
Secret six-figure payout to banker suspected of child porn
Gresham and its shareholder Wesfarmers later engaged law firms to investigate. A decade later, the executive was cleared of having child exploitation material.
Haul road closure triggers billion dollar debt worries at MinRes
Workplace safety authorities are investigating the crucial link between the miner’s Pilbara iron ore operations and port, raising new questions about shipments.
BHP set a gender target. The (male) backlash took 3 years
The miner has more than tripled its female workforce over a nine-year campaign for balance. It overcame a huge shortage of women and an “alpha dog culture”.
February
Snowy 2.0 dig shut down after shrapnel flies from fan
The incident could cause further delays to the project, which has been plagued by overruns including when the tunnel boring machine was bogged for over a year.
App used by BHP, Woodside and Shell workers wins over OneVentures
Sydney-based MyPass has spent a decade winning contracts with global mining, energy and construction firms to provide skilled contractors with a professional passport.
Former WiseTech employee sues software giant’s billionaire founder
Caroline Heidemann’s claims against Richard White and his wife Zena Nasser come as the firm confirms it is investigating two other “confidential complaints”.
Dovetail executive alleges the start-up’s CEO repeatedly assaulted her
The senior female lawyer has detailed a workplace where staff were often drunk. The company denies her claims and says the relationship had been declared and was consensual.
January
Big super to keep pushing companies on climate
New climate disclosure laws mean even retail super funds will engage with companies on climate this year. Poor workplace safety and governance is also a concern.
Accounting body faces lawsuit over Christmas party sexual harassment
The case sets up a test of whether an employer can claim it took “reasonable steps” to prevent improper conduct, where a harassment complaint has been upheld.
November 2024
Software unicorn SafetyCulture to be run from New York with new CEO
SafetyCulture’s founder Luke Anear says he never really wanted to be chief executive, and that the company may be more likely to go public under Kelly Vohs.
Victorian Greens MP quits party after affair with staffer
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell says Prahran MP Sam Hibbins has completely lost her trust and is “never welcome back” after admitting he had an affair with a female staffer.
October 2024
Worker killed at Rio Tinto’s Simandou iron ore project
The contract employee’s death is the mining giant’s fifth fatality in 2024.