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.
Continue reading “Compensation for sacked Teacher who questioned colleague’s protest attendance”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.
Continue reading “FWC Deputy President irked by “speculative” GP claim from unmeritorious applicant”‘Adult’ juniors to receive full adult rate under Retail, Fast Food awards
On 31 March, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission handed down its decision in the junior rates case, which was first initiated by application of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) in June 2024 and sought an increase to minimum rates applicable to juniors employed under the General Retail Industry Award 2020, the Fast Food Industry Award 2020 and the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020.
Continue reading “‘Adult’ juniors to receive full adult rate under Retail, Fast Food awards”New Classifications + Wage Increases for Health Professionals foreshadowed from 30 June 2026
At the beginning of March, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) published a draft determination to vary the Health Professionals & Support Services Award 2020 (HPSS Award), resulting from the Gender-based Undervaluation – Priority Awards Review process which has been running for more than 18 months.
Continue reading “New Classifications + Wage Increases for Health Professionals foreshadowed from 30 June 2026”Payday Super on the horizon
Employers are reminded that the Albanese government’s long-awaited “Payday Super” changes will come into force from 1 July 2026.
Continue reading “Payday Super on the horizon”REMINDER: New Classifications + Wage Increases for Educators & Dental Assistants
In the lead up to Christmas, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) issued determinations to vary the Children’s Services Award 2010 and the Health Professionals & Support Services Award 2020, to usher in revised classifications and wage increases for Children’s Services Employees and Dental Assistants, with the first increases taking effect from 1 March and 1 April respectively.
Continue reading “REMINDER: New Classifications + Wage Increases for Educators & Dental Assistants”2026 Easter (& Other) Public Holidays – Eastern States
With the Festive Season already a distant memory and Easter little more than a month away, it’s time to confirm employee entitlements for the numerous public holidays that will be in force across Australia in the coming months.
Continue reading “2026 Easter (& Other) Public Holidays – Eastern States”Employee agreement essential to vary part-time hours: FWC
An early childhood employer has been reprimanded by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), after falling victim to the widely held and long-standing misconception that part-time employment is configured by stipulating a range of hours, with a guaranteed weekly minimum of 15, and that rosters may be changed at the employer’s discretion by giving a week’s notice.
Continue reading “Employee agreement essential to vary part-time hours: FWC”Compensation for sacked worker despite valid dismissal for racist comments
Procedural shortcomings have cost a medium-sized employer thousands of dollars, with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) awarding a sacked employee compensation despite commending the “strong stance” the employer took on racist comments made by the worker during a toolbox meeting.
Continue reading “Compensation for sacked worker despite valid dismissal for racist comments”Hairdresser unfairly dismissed for “profane” barb over stolen client
A hair salon has been ordered to pay compensation to a disgruntled former employee, with the Fair Work Commission ruling that the small business unfairly dismissed the hairdresser when she was summarily sacked after allegedly “threatening” the salon manager over a client booking dispute.
Continue reading “Hairdresser unfairly dismissed for “profane” barb over stolen client”