Latest news and cases
Casual loading and penalty rates — calculations under modern awards
9 March, 2010The calculation of penalty rates for casuals has generally changed under modern awards — compared to the previously applicable calculation method. Read full article...
Hiring intentions show optimism
9 March, 2010Employer hiring optimism continues to improve in Australia, with opportunities for job seekers likely to return to pre-downturn levels — according to Manpower, a consultant service in the employment services industry. Read full article...
Call for more investment in skills
9 March, 2010The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has called on the Australian Government, education providers, and the business community to focus on long-term investment in skills, as Australia emerges from the current global economic downturn. Read full article...
Paid parental leave — storm brewing
9 March, 2010Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, has generated a storm of opposition over his proposal to extend paid parental leave to six months — funded by a tax on big business. Read full article...
Scope of agreement can be contested in course of bargaining
9 March, 2010A Full Bench of FWA held there was no indication in the Fair Work legislation that the legislature intended that a single interest employer authorisation should define the scope of bargaining, and that a bargaining representative who argues for a different scope is necessarily not genuinely trying to reach an agreement. Read full article...
HR unaware of back pain, redundancy fair
9 March, 2010Taking two days off work due to back pain was not the cause of a worker's redundancy, a Federal Magistrate has ruled, in finding his work abilities had been fairly assessed. Read full article...
Job cuts — ad campaign; club industry
8 March, 2010ACTU launches ‘job cuts’ ad campaign; NSW club workers face pay cuts up to $128 per week, says union. Read full article...
Fair Dismissal Code: complying with the summary dismissal requirements — part 2
8 March, 2010Two questions in the Fair Dismissal Code checklist refer to summary dismissal for serious misconduct. The employer must have ‘reasonable grounds’ for dismissal in order to comply. What are ‘reasonable grounds’, and what is ‘serious misconduct’? Read full article...