Inaction after suicide attempt was a "systemic failure"
The Fair Work Commission has found an employee was fairly sacked for being intoxicated at work, but chastised his employer for its response to his workplace suicide attempt. » more »
Policies & procedures (339 items)
Technology 'workaround' breached company policies, dismissal fair
Westpac was justified in sacking an employee for allowing a relative to use his work phone and transferring customer data to his personal email account, the Fair Work Commission has ruled. » more »
HR manager's "pattern of overreach" rendered dismissal unfair
The Fair Work Commission has found an employer had a valid reason to dismiss an employee for breaching its D&A policy, but the dismissal was harsh because of its HR manager's "pattern of overreach" towards him. » more »
Social media policies "fundamental" to managing online misconduct
Recent rulings highlight that many employees still don't know how to behave on social media, making workplace policies fundamental to mitigating employers' reputational damage risks. » more »
Prepare now for casual conversion requests
Employers should start preparing immediately for the risks and opportunities posed by the casual conversion clause that will soon be included in all modern awards, according to a legal expert. » more »
Instagram message to grad warranted dismissal; Why harassment training fails
The Fair Work Commission has rejected an employee's claim that his Instagram message to a young female graduate shouldn't have led to his dismissal. Meanwhile, two lawyers highlight why policies and training fail to reduce s-xual harassment risks. » more »
What HR needs to know about the GDPR
This week's roll-out of Europe's new data laws should prompt Australian HR professionals to consider how they're storing and using personal information, according to compliance and technology experts. » more »
Drinking dismissal upheld; Minimum entitlements proposed for gig workers; and more
In the latest instalment in a long-running dispute, the Fair Work Commission has upheld the sacking of a worker who breached his employer's zero-tolerance alcohol policy. Also in this article, Fair Work amendments proposed for gig workers; fixes for Australia's "insecure work crisis"; workplace favouritism findings; and more. » more »
Contractor mistreatment warranted summary dismissal
In a case that illustrates the perils of a divided workplace, the Fair Work Commission has upheld the dismissal of two union delegates accused of excluding a contractor from their lunchroom. » more »
Unresolved grievances didn't amount to breach of contract
An employee who complained senior managers bullied and harassed him has failed to prove his contract was breached when his employer failed to follow its grievance resolution procedure. » more »
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HR's role in preventing psych claims
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