On 15 October, the Fair Work Commission released its Annual Report for 2013-14. The Annual Report provides a useful look into some facts and figures on the various types of claim for which the Commission is responsible. However, this year everyone’s attention was closely focussed upon the numbers arising from the new anti-bullying jurisdiction which commenced on 1 January 2014. Before the commencement of the new anti-bullying laws, we were all braced for impact, expecting…
There’s no overlooking the painfully obvious fact of life that, with every day, each of us is getting older. There is plenty of media focus on keeping healthy as we age, and all manner of jabs, tucks and other painful procedures to keep us looking young. Increasingly, we’re also being told that staying in work as we age is good for our social engagement and wellbeing. But what about employers – is there an upside…
In the recent decision of Maritime Union of Australia v DP World Brisbane Pty and others [2014] 1523, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has once again ruled in favour of saliva drug testing as being a more appropriate method of drug testing in the workplace, when compared to other more intrusive methods. The decision centred around a dispute between the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and a number of DP World group entities (DP World)…
The Fair Work Commission recently made its first substantive ruling on the merits of an application brought under the new bullying laws of the Fair Work Act. In a complex tale involving “upwards” bullying, “downwards” bullying and investigations being conducted over the top, this decision provides some guidance as to what will amount to “reasonable management action” for the purpose of these interesting new laws. In the case of Ms SB [2014] FWC 2104, the…