Archive for the 'Industrial Relations' Category

FWO prosecution – recalcitrant employer – $19,800 penalty v $ 14,865.31 unpaid wages

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Fair Work Ombudsman v Berges [2010] FMCA 526 (17 June 2010)
It is interesting to contrast this decision with Fair Work Ombudsman v Sanada Investments Pty Ltd [2010] FMCA 401 (9 June 2010).
I refer to my earlier posting in relation the Sanada (“Sushi Train”) decision. The aggregate unpaid wages etc amounted to $119,760.92, however, the total [...]

Is a dismissal a redundancy when the work is still being performed?

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Allens Arthur Robinson
In this issue: we look at whether a dismissal is a redundancy when the work is still being performed by others; where Fair Work Australia may still approve an agreement without good faith bargaining; Fair Work Australia having clarified the scope of flexibility terms; enterprise agreements should not cover positions an employer has [...]

ALB’s Employee & Workplace Relations Masterclass

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

ALB’s Employee & Workplace Relations Masterclass – seminar presentation on 18 November 2010.
Brisbane Barrister – David Cormack

New adverse action decisions provide clarity to employers

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Norton Rose
Two recent adverse action decisions provide clarity to employers about the operation of the new types of claims available under the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).
What are adverse action and workplace rights?
Adverse action is defined in a table at section 342 which sets out the type of conduct which will be adverse action. [...]

Modern Awards – phase 1 to commence 1 July 2010

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

I refer to my earlier posting and draw attention to the 1st phase of the transition provisions of the Modern Awards to commence on 1 July 2010 (20%).
Brisbane Barrister – David Cormack

Inspector Hamilton v John Holland Pty Ltd

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Norton Rose
On Friday 4 June 2010, the Full Bench of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) handed down the first judgment in New South Wales which raised a Kirk argument. It was argued that the IRC did not have jurisdiction to hear the charges laid against the Defendant as defects in the Application for Order did not [...]

FWO prosecution of “Sushi Train” for unpaid wages and entitlements

Friday, June 18th, 2010

 
 
Fair Work Ombudsman v Sanada Investments Pty Ltd [2010] FMCA 401 (9 June 2010)
The FMC decision above is useful in its summary of the relevant principles in prosecution of civil pecuniary penalties for unpaid wages and entitlements. The total amount of underpayments was $119,760.92 of which $29,739.14 was for employees who were either current or [...]

Industrial and Workplace Relations 4th Annual Conference 2 & 3 June

Monday, May 31st, 2010

See attached: Industrial and Workolace  Relations Conference 2 & 3 June 2010 
Presenting on the second day: The civil and criminal regime for unpaid wages
Brisbane Barrister – David Cormack

First General Protections case decided – lessons for employers

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

The Federal Court has provided some comfort to concerned employers regarding the scope of the new adverse action provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act).
Read more of the article by Norton Rose.
Reproduced with permission of Norton Rose in accordance with their legal notice and disclaimers.

Contract of Employment v Relationship of Employment – A Double Edged Sword?

Monday, April 19th, 2010

The Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) introduced many changes to the law affecting employers and employees. The Act introduced a new system of Modern Awards, a new suite of universal minimum conditions of employment (the National Employment Standards) and a new regime for compulsory bargaining in good faith for the purpose of creating collective [...]

David Cormack, Barrister