This Month
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.
Nine Entertainment’s cultural crisis exposes its hypocrisy
The disgusting and systemic cultural failings at Nine have left acting chief executive Matt Stanton and chairman Catherine West in an invidious position.
Seven doesn’t want the spotlight on ‘Spotlight’
Seven says ‘Spotlight’ shines a light on uncomfortable stories – but not when ‘Spotlight’ itself is the story.
September 2024
NSW Bar backs compulsory anti-harassment training
State bar associations have swung behind the Australian Bar Association’s proposal to mandate “equality and wellbeing” training.
Law firms urged to track employees’ sleeping patterns
British firms have been urged to track the mental health and wellbeing of employees, as the legal profession confronts its often toxic work culture.
SafetyCulture cops $200m valuation setback to seal rare funding round
The enterprise tool provider attracted large new venture capital and super fund investors to secure $165 million in this year’s biggest software raising.
August 2024
How to remake the CFMEU culture of confrontation
Only deeper, durable changes will stop the law-breaking construction union’s self-reinforcing behaviour re-emerging after three years of administration.
Sacked fundie sues UniSuper and CIO for alleged bullying
The case comes as super funds put ASX companies on notice that they need to have decent work conditions or face strike votes.