News

FWC acknowledges surge in dismissal cases, high proportion labelled “unmeritorious”

During a recent address to a national conference being held in Brisbane, Fair Work Commission (FWC) President, Adam Hatcher, referenced a nearly 25% increase in applications to the FWC across the past five years, which he assessed as “simply unsustainable” if the trend were to continue.

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Reinstatement + $33K for worker sacked over curious personal leave claim on PH shift

A Western Australian stevedore has successfully challenged his dismissal for “dishonesty” over claiming personal leave for a shift which was due to commence at 4.00pm on Australia Day, with the Fair Work Commission rejecting the employer’s assessment that he had engaged in “misconduct” by attending an event at a local restaurant with his partner while he maintained he was unfit for work.

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Disputed verbal resignation derails Property Stylist’s general protections bid

An assistant property stylist has been denied the opportunity to pursue her general protections dismissal claim, with the Fair Work Commission upholding her former employer’s jurisdictional objection that she voluntarily resigned because she was “not happy” in her role, rejecting the employee’s argument her employment was terminated because she did not “formally submit a written resignation”.

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Albanese Government introduces penalty rates Bill; Greens push for 4-day work week

On 24 July 2025, the Government presented to Parliament its proposed legislation to protect penalty and overtime rates in Modern Awards to counteract employer-driven applications currently before the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which seek to permit penalty rates to be traded away under a salary-type arrangements in select awards.

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