The Respect@Work Bill is set to create duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate sexual harassment, discrimination and sex-based harassment The Federal Government has taken the first step in delivering on its election promise to implement the remaining recommendations from the Respect@Work report. The most significant change from the Bill introduced […]
The Prime Minister has announced a one-off public holiday on 22 September 2022 for all Australian states and territories following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The day is to serve as a National Day of Mourning, and for the public to pay their respects to the Queen and her 70 years of […]
The Queensland Chief Health Officer has revoked the Workers in a Healthcare Setting public health direction, one of the last-standing COVID-19 public health directions, with the revocation taking effect from 6pm on 2 September 2022. In announcing the revocation, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said vaccination requirements for healthcare workers are now left to each employers’ […]
The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (‘FWC’) has handed down the most significant decision to date following the recent High Court decisions which changed the independent contracting landscape in Australia (read our analysis of those decisions here). The decision of Deliveroo Australia Pty Ltd v Franco [2022] FWCFB 156 gives employers useful guidance […]
Specialist employment law firm, Aitken Legal has been recognised by Australasian Lawyer as one of Australia’s Top Boutique Law Firms 2022. Only 40 firms across Australia have been recognised for this accolade. Australasian Lawyer evaluated nominations based on the firm’s client service delivery approach, how client needs are met, matters the lawyers work on as […]
This month we look at a recent matter in the Federal Court which resulted in one of the largest financial penalty, compensation, and costs orders made within the general protections jurisdiction. Following two key decisions in the matter, which traversed complex legal issues, including constitutional conflicts between federal and state legislation, Justices Rares ordered the […]
Under new legislation introduced to Parliament today, all employees in Australia would be entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave (‘FDV Leave’) each year. The Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 (‘Bill’) is one of the first pieces of legislation introduced by the new Federal Government […]
The Fair Work Commission (‘Commission’ or ‘FWC’) has recently found that a teacher whose employment was terminated following a contentious, year-long recovery from a psychological injury sustained at work, was not unfairly dismissed, despite providing the employer with a medical certificate indicating that she had “full” capacity to return to work. Background The unfair dismissal […]
The Queensland Attorney-General has announced a relaxation for vaccine mandates in some workplaces from 1:00am AEST, Thursday 30 June 2022. From this date, visitors to the below settings will not be subject to mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations: residential aged care; disability accommodation; and corrective service facilities. Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations will remain in place for workers in […]
Specialist employment law firm, Aitken Legal has been named as a finalist in the Australian Law Awards for Workplace Relations and Employment Team of the Year. In addition, Special Counsel, Angela Engel has been named as a finalist in the Special Counsel of the Year award. The Australian Law Awards has built a reputation for […]
