Workplace Services

HR Health Update November 2008 for NSW - 748K
In this issue:
- OHS – Risk Assessments
- Suspension in a misconduct investigation: a breach of contract?
- Rostering arrangements for staff
- Increased cancer risks for NIght shift-workers
- The challenges of rostering: workers with disabilities
- Nursing and midwifery: an ageing workforce?
- Stress: a health issue for the health sector?
- Duty of care and traumatic events

Workplace Services Update October 2008 - 725K
- Forward with Fairness: the next steps
- Disability Discrimination: Successful Defences
- Paid Parental Leave
- Mutual Trust and Confidence: An Emerging Claim?
- Refusal to communicate with employer not abandonment of employment
- Flexible work guidelines: Family responsibilities
- Variations to Pre-reform Certified Agreements
- New requirements proposed for employers of Visa Holders
- The ALRC’s Privacy Inquiry

HR Health Update October 2008 for Victoria - 743K
In this issue:
- Suspension in a misconduct investigation: a breach of contract?
- OHS – Risk Assessments
- The Challenges of Rostering: The return to work guarantee
- Increased cancer risks for Night shift-workers
- The challenges of rostering: workers with disabilities
- Nursing and midwifery: an ageing workforce?
- Stress: a health issue for the health sector?
- Duty of care and traumatic events

Workplace Services E-Alert August 2008 - 39K
Federal Court Rules on Status of Etheridge Shire Council

Workplace Services Update July 2008 - 216K
- Commission Announces List of Priority Modern Awards
- National Employment Standards
- Implying contract terms based on custom and practice
- Health and safety obligations owed not only to paid employees
- Sale Of Business Restarts Employee’s Qualifying Period of Employment
- Changes to Earnings Base Used for Calculating Superannuation from 1 July 2008
- Conduct of Investigations: Beware of Freedom of Association Issues
- New Remuneration and Compensation Limits: 1 July 2008
- Appointments To Maddocks Workplace Services Team

Workplace Services Update April 2008 - 493K
- The Transition Act: Stage One of Significant Reforms to the Federal Industrial Relations System
- Appeal Bench Upholds Sacking for Drinking Two Beers at Lunch
- Employee Complaint Results in Penalties Against Employer
- Employment Terminated for Using Sick Leave to Attend AFL Game
- Employee Activity Added to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995

Workplace Services Update February 2008 - 484K
- Termination of a Complaining Employee
- Injured Employees: Getting the Balance Right
- Dismissal: Operational Reasons Revisited
- Decision Overturned in Hotel Sex Case
- IR Law – What is Left to the States
- Appeals from Dispute Procedure
- On the Horizon

Workplace Services Update December 2007 - 467K
- Labor: Changing The IR Landscape
- Duress and AWAs - Risks and Penalties
- Conduct Outside Work Hours: When Can An Employer Act?
- Two Beers Over Lunch Justifies Dismissal
- Court Orders Super Contributions on Payment in Lieu of Notice
- Test Case on the Application of Workchoices to Local Government Bodies
- Complying with the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard

Workplace Services Update September 2007 - 420K
- 'Genuine Operational Reasons' Recent Case Update
- Valid Dismissal where Employee Refused to Sign Medical Release
- Company Policies May Form Part of the Employment Contract
- Staff Announcements

Workplace Services Update July 2007 - 159K
- The New Fairness Test: Changes to the Workplace Agreement Safety Net

NSW Local Government Update June 2007 - 777K
In this Issue:
- OHS "Unlawful Dismissal" Reforms
- Hazards and Risks
- Council Fined for Lack of Traffic Management
- Victorian Council Acquitted on OHS Charges
- What Should Councils Do if an Incident Occurs?
- High Court Rules on Council's Liability for Contractor's Negligence
- Implications for Councils' OHS Duties

Workplace Services Update May 2007 - 463K
- Is It Reasonable To Dismiss An Employee For Misuse Of Email And Internet Policies?
- 'Genuine Operational Reasons' - Is All That An Employer Is Required To Establish For The Termination Of Employment
- Judicial Consideration Of Entitlements For Employees On Workers' Compensation Upon Termination Of Employment
- Dispute Over Application Of An Agreement Found To Be Within Commission's Jurisdiction
- Agreement Between Employer And Union Held To Be Restrictive Trade: Union Fined
- In Brief - Lessons For Employers From Recent Cases
- Team Announcements

Workplace Services Paper March 2007 - 90K
- Independent Contractors - The New Legal Environment

Workplace Services Update December 2006 - 118K
- STOP PRESS: Yet More Legislative Changes!
- The Australian Fair Pay Commission’s Wage Setting Decision
- "Side Agreements" With Unions Revisited
- Moving Employees On To AWAS: Employers’ Rights And Pitfalls
- Councils Permitted To Engage New Employees On Increased Working Hours Under Local Authorities Award
- Is It Discriminatory To Say "No" To Part-Time Work?
- Can Employers Use Video Surveillance Of Employees To Detect OHS Breaches?

Workplace Services E-Alert November 2006 - 63K
- High Court Upholds the Constitutional Validity of Work Choices

Workplace Services Update November 2006 - 405K
- Work Choices Snapshots
- "Who's In?": Counting the Employees in your Business for the Unfair Dismissal Exemption
- Termination of Collective Agreements: A F.I.P. 'Flop'?
- Trusts and Constitutional Corporations: The Identity of the Employer
- New Limits on "Constructive Dismissal" Claims
- "Side Agreements" with Unions and Barriers to Protected Action
- "Genuine Operational Reasons" Revisited

Cross-border Labour and Employee Benefits Handbook , 2006/07 Edition - 97K
Australia has a federal system made up of states and territories. Laws that govern the employment relationship are made by the Commonwealth Parliament, and the Parliaments of the states and territories. Since reforms were introduced in 2006, some state laws have been overridden for employees of companies, and replaced by a unitary federal system sector. However, these reforms are subject to legal challenge. The Australian chapter in the "Cross-border Labour and Employee Benefits Handbook", authored by Bruce Moore.

Workplace Services E-Alert September 2006 - 38K
- Deadline for Record Keeping Requirements Delayed

Workplace Services Update August 2006 - 392K
- Employer policies and procedures: When are they contractually binding?
- Independent contractors and employees: The distinction and its consequences
- Unfair contracts in New South Wales
- FY 2006/2007 has arrived: Unfair dismissal claims cap, and other changes
- The operational reasons objection to unfair dismissal jurisdiction
- Immigration Update

Workplace Services E-Alert June 2006 - 47K
- Amendments to the Workplace Relations Regulations
- Removal of Exemption from Choice of Superannuation Rules - Compliance required by 1 July 2006
- New IR Consulting Arrangement

Workplace Services Update May 2006 - 408K
In this Issue:
- Secure Employment Test Case in NSW
- Pregnant employee receives compensation
- Public Sector Employment (Award Entitlements) Act 2006 - Victoria
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal refuses Church Agency’s exemption application
- NSW Industrial Relations Amendment Act

Workplace Services E-Alert March 2006 - 55K
Work Choices Frequently Asked Questions

Workplace Services E-Alert - Work Choices to Take Effect Monday 27 March 2006 - 53K

Workplace Services Update: Special Edition November 2005 - 219K
In this Issue:
- WorkChoices - A New Workplace Relations System
- The Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard
- The role of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC)
- Agreement making under the new system
- What will be the role of awards?
- Industrial action
- Transmission of Business – some new rules
- Unfair Dismissals and redundancies
- Transitional Arrangements
- Conclusions

Workplace Services Update November 2005 - 585K
In this Issue:
- New Parental Leave Rights
- Demotion and Dismissal of Depressed and Absent Poor Performer Discriminatory
- NSW Unfair Contract Exclusion Clarified
- Court Reads Post-Employment Restraint Narrowly
- Employer and Contractor Jointly Liable for Workplace Bullying and Harassment
- Scheme to Remove Awards Protections Held Invalid
- Retail Common Rule Coverage Now in Place
- Staff News

Workplace Services Update July 2005 - 496K
In this Issue:
- Vicarious Liability of Employers: New Case Law
- Reinstatement Order Requires Work to be Provided
- Psychiatric Injury and Stress at Work
- NSW Unfair Dismissal Cap Increases
- Million Dollar Penalties for NSW Workplace Deaths
- Workplace Surveillance - New Laws for Employers

Workplace Services Update June 2005 - 49K
In this Issue:
- The Howard Workplace Relations Revolution

Workplace Services Update April 2005 - 513K
In this Issue:
- Matters pertaining clarified
- Lessons for employers following Gribbles and AMCOR Decisions
- Caring employer defends unlawful termination claim
- No contracting out of AWAS
- Reasonable Precautions Can Work
- Superannuation choice of funds
- New addition to Immigration Law team

Workplace Services Update March 2005 - 382K
In this Issue:
– Maddocks News
– Retrenched Manager need not be redeployed
– Sleeping on the job a valid reason for dismissal
– Legislation Update
– Contractors in NSW must be paid as much as employees
– Australia's skilled migration program
– Long Service leave changes for Victoria