An employer needn't wait for a potential crisis to materialise before taking action to protect its business, the Fair Work Commission has ruled, in accepting a redundancy prompted by early COVID-19 concerns was genuine. » more »
The end of the JobKeeper stimulus poses a "significant threat" to Australian employment, a labour market analyst warns. Also in this article: organisations have largely impressed workers in their first-phase crisis response; employers weigh up keeping their workforce at home; new guidance on returning to workplaces safely; and more. » more »
A Fair Work Commission full bench has rejected another jurisdictional challenge by Qantas regarding a JobKeeper underpayment dispute. Meanwhile the Commission has reduced an employer's redundancy obligation to nil, accepting it had no capacity to pay. » more »
A part-time employee who refused to use some of her annual leave while receiving JobKeeper payments has received little sympathy from the Fair Work Commission. Meanwhile, the Federal Court has ruled that employees are not entitled to paid personal leave during stand downs. » more »
The JobKeeper program will be reviewed next month to adjust for anomalies, misuse, and potential adjustment of its finish date, the Prime Minister has confirmed. Also in this article, the FWO slams big businesses' non-compliance with the FW Act; further changes to EA regulations; and more. » more »
The Fair Work Commission has ruled it does have jurisdiction to deal with JobKeeper underpayment disputes, in rejecting an attempt by Qantas to throw out an employee's claim. » more »
The Fair Work Commission has rejected that an employee should be classified as part-time and eligible for JobKeeper because her employer intended to offer her a permanent role. Also in this article: an employer won't be able to make an employee's role redundant despite COVID-19 until after her discrimination claim is decided; whistleblower compliance risks falling by the wayside during the pandemic; and why more start-ups are engaging HR professionals. » more »
Phasing out the JobKeeper scheme, rather than suddenly ending it, is one of several suggested measures to ensure a smooth labour market recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. » more »
Reduced face-to-face interaction and hasty email communication – coupled with job insecurity, isolation and stress – could see COVID-19 distancing measures heighten the risk of bullying claims, a workplace lawyer says. » more »
The Fair Work Commission has already received 120 applications to deal with JobKeeper-related disputes, and has published a new benchbook for employers. Also in this article: updates on the JobKeeper scheme; a roundup of COVID-19 and other rulings; and more. » more »
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