Archive | Employment Law

Employee compensated for unfair dismissal due to Employer’s ‘uncertain’ Working from Home procedures

Introduction In light of the global pandemic and more employers adapting to a work from home approach, the need for clear policies, reporting lines and communication has never been so critical. Recent Fair Work Commission decision, discusses the harsh, unjust and unreasonable dismissal wherein the Applicant was awarded compensation due to a lack of transparency […]

New recommendations from Respect@Work Report now legally require Employers to protect Employees from workplace sexual harassment

Introduction Employers are now legally obligated to take ‘reasonable and proportionate measures’ to prevent workplace sexual harassment under new legislation introduced by the Labor Government. The new legislation is being implemented according to recommendations made by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins’, Respect@Work report (“the Report”). Background The Report published in March 2020 revealed that 1 in […]

NRL Referee’s Sidelining Upheld by the Fair Work Commission

The recent Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC)decision concerning a National Rugby League Referee, Tim Alouani-Roby (the Employee)has clarified the application of maximum term contracts, and whether employees engaged under the same have a right to access the general protections/adverse action jurisdiction of the FWC. The Full Bench upheld the finding that the […]

Employment status of gig workers: Deliveroo Australia Pty Ltd v Diego Franco

Why the Full Bench Ruled Deliveroo Riders Are Independent Contractors In a significant decision on the employment status of gig workers, a Fair Work Commission (FWC) full bench has quashed a ruling from last year that found a Deliveroo rider to be an employee. Background In May 2021, a FWC tribunal found that Deliveroo rider […]

Large Penalty for Wage Underpayment

A sushi restaurant was ordered to pay $355,000 in penalties after the Fair Work Ombudsman (“FWO”) brought a case against them for underpaying employees and falsifying records. Summary The case brought against Delishco Pty Ltd (“the Company”), which operates as ‘Moga Izakaya & Sushi’ in Brisbane, was heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court. A $305,000 […]

Fair Work Ombudsman Announces 2022-23 Priorities

Industries and Compliance Areas Targeted by the Fair Work Ombudsman On 22 June 2022, the Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker (FWO) has announced their strategic priorities for the year ahead. We summarise the priorities to give employers and employees alike a ‘heads up’ for what is to come from the regulatory body: 1.    University Sector […]

Recent Underpayment Case Results in Substantial Penalties

The FWO has secured a total of $204,000 in penalties against the operators of Riddhi Siddhi Pty Ltd (“the Company”), which operates ‘Vege Rama’ – a Brisbane fast food outlet, after the use of false records to disrupt their investigation. Background The FWO investigation into the business was first launched in November of 2020, after […]