On 29 June 2018, the Australian Government introduced to the Federal Parliament its much anticipated Modern Slavery Bill. This Bill requires certain business entities to disclose on an annual basis their actions to address modern slavery (exploitation such as slavery, forced labour and human trafficking) in their operations and supply chains. This alert explains the Bill and the actions that will be required when the Bill becomes law. Modern slavery reporting requirement Entities required to…
The global movement to eradicate modern forms of slavery has taken another step forward. And, again, much of the responsibility for this progress is being placed on corporates. On 21 June 2018, the NSW Parliament passed its Modern Slavery Act. This Act will commence on a day to be appointed. The Act seeks to combat modern forms of slavery (serious exploitation such as slavery, forced labour and human trafficking) and provide assistance and support for…
Key takeaway A recent decision by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has opened access to unfair dismissal laws for workers employed on successive, maximum term contracts. Maximum term or ‘outer limit’ contracts are contracts for a specific period of time which may also be terminated before the end of that period by the giving of notice. The Full Bench in Khayam v Navitas [2017] FWCFB 5162 (Navitas) has determined that, in the…
In one of the most significant employment law decisions in decades, the High Court of Australia has today decided that a term of mutual trust and confidence should not be implied into all employment contracts. Background Stephen Barker was made redundant by the Commonwealth Bank in 2009. Unfortunately, his redeployment process miscarried. He sued the Bank. He argued that the Bank’s failure to comply with its redeployment policy caused him to lose an opportunity to…