A bottle shop attendant told by her manager that she would not be able to work in a bar while pregnant because it was "a bad look" has been awarded almost $40,000 in compensation and penalties, a court finding there was "no doubt" the employer breached adverse action provisions.
An academic found to have been unlawfully dismissed by James Cook University over criticisms of prominent climate research has been awarded more than $1.2 million, the presiding judge excoriating the institution over its "egregious abuse of power" and public statements intended to "sow doubt" about his findings.
In a significant decision on the nature of work, the FWC has ruled that employees required to attend a worksite assembly point by a prescribed time before being transported to a pre-start meeting should be paid for the intervening period.
In a decision traversing some of the challenges of protecting hard-won conditions in a difficult commercial environment, the CFMMEU has failed to block the termination of a construction deal no longer covering any workers after the company argued its uncompetitive terms and conditions hampered its ability to win new contracts.
Two excavator operators who allegedly belittled trainees with "foul tirades" that left them so shaken one walked off the job have won compensation, the FWC finding their dismissal was procedurally unfair.
The FWC has dismissed Esso Australia's application to terminate the agreement covering offshore workers in Bass Strait, in the latest twist in a five-year bargaining dispute.
An HR manager is accusing an electric vehicle tech start-up of making her redundant in retaliation for complaints about possible award breaches and her objection to hiring the general manager's daughter as her assistant.
A senior FWC member has cautioned companies against sending dismissal decisions "up the line" without revealing the final signatory's name, observing such opacity could influence whether the process is found to be fair.
An ex-security officer turned industrial advocate has given undertakings not to commence any further Federal Circuit Court proceedings against his former employer, a judge holding that he used a back payment claim to promote his services and represent others without the standing to do so.
The Federal Court has upheld a lawyer's dismissal after he strongly criticised clients of his firm in a newspaper opinion piece, the judge finding his contract "expressly" stipulated both parties could terminate the relationship without cause on three months' notice.
