News

Full Bench overturns generous payout for “sound mind” resignation by struggling worker

Last month, a three-member Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission overturned the pre-Christmas decision of Deputy President Tony Slevin, which had awarded a “difficult” employee more than $30,000 compensation for his resignation, tendered after an extended absence prompted by mental health challenges.

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Wide-ranging changes to popular Modern Awards continuing to roll out

After enduring much activity early in the Albanese government’s first term, 2025 was mercifully more settled within the IR landscape, and whilst significant change to employment laws remains off the agenda for the foreseeable future, select Modern Awards have been subject to major variations to start 2026, with more changes in store for many industries as the year rolls on.

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Qld Government reviewing Worker’s Compensation scheme

The Queensland Government has launched a review which will examine the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (WCR Act), with the review’s homepage indicating the Crisafulli Government “is committed to a workers’ compensation scheme that strikes a balance between providing appropriate benefits for injured workers and ensuring the costs incurred by employers are reasonable”.

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2025-26 Annual Wage Review progressing as expected

Employers will rightly be anticipating the upcoming decision from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in this year’s Annual Wage Review, which is awaited in the coming weeks. Last year’s decision of 3 June yielded an increase of 3.5% across all award minimum rates and the National Minimum Wage (NMW), with this year’s outcome once again expected in the first week of June. 

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Compensation for sacked Teacher who questioned colleague’s protest attendance

A “well-regarded” early childhood teacher (ECT) has been awarded tens of thousands in compensation following his “humiliating” and “extremely harsh” summary dismissal, which was actioned based on “misinformation” after he debated a colleague about her presence at a protest rally in which she elected to livestream a speech delivered by a neo-Nazi leader.

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FWC Deputy President irked by “speculative” GP claim from unmeritorious applicant

In the past 12 months, numerous members of the Fair Work Commission have been vocal in their frustration at the large number of general protections dismissal applications which have been lodged, despite lacking sufficient merit to warrant pursuit. Deputy President Alan Colman is the most recent voice to lament the scourge of unmeritorious applications contributing to the Commission’s “burgeoning caseload”, suggesting an “effective disincentive for speculative claims” should be implemented.

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