A Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has ruled that prior service as a casual counts as service when calculating redundancy pay The decision is completely at odds with what employers would expect Partner Simon Dewberry Managing Associate Andrew Stirling and Senior Associate Tristan Garcia ...

In this issue we look at a recent case that shows why unfair dismissal laws need an overhaul the appropriate use of unpaid internships avoiding redundancy obligations by obtaining acceptable employment and the expanding scope of the Fair Work Acts accessorial liability provisions ...

In this issue we look at a Fair Work Commission decision that highlights the issue of costs in relation to a vexatious claim the consequences for employment law in the wake of the Coalitions return to power and an enforceable undertaking to reimburse a large number of underpaid employees ...

In this issue we look at the problems of overselling a companys performance to attract new staff new Federal Government policy that will make franchisors and parent companies responsible for their franchisees and subsidiaries breaches of the Fair Work Act and the importance of following procedural ...

Workplace Relations: We look at an adverse action case; why a redundancy doesn't constitute a termination; the importance of a consistent process to deal with workplace bullying; the fairness of a dismissal for failing workplace drug tests; and preventing an employee going to work with a competitor ...

In this issue we look at a dismissal case emanating from poor behaviour at a company Christmas party the importance of the employment contract in determining whether a reduction in an employees pay and duties results in dismissal an employers difficulty in justifiying a summary dismissal and the ...

In this issue we look at sham contracting arrangements gambling addiction as a possible protected attribute under anti-discrimination law who is liable for costs associated with bullying claims a failed general protections claim when a lawful direction will be deemed reasonable and employers ...

In this issue we look at the unusual role social media can play in bullying at work valid dismissals that can be procedurally unfair consultants reports and unfair dismissal proceedings requirements for notices of entry obtaining permission to appeal in the Fair Work Commission vague job security ...

We look at what reasonable management action is when a complaint will be in relation to employment the personal liability of human resources managers and other senior employees the FWCs approach to dismissals resulting from serious safety breaches and the validity of a safety regulators directive ...

The Coalitions industrial relations policy for the last election included a proposal to have the Productivity Commission review and make recommendations about improving the Fair Work Act so that the Coalition could take the recommended changes to the next election The proposal is now unfolding with ...