Australia has some of the highest rates of illicit substance use in the world, and with some recent evidence showing that workers who misuse drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities, this is quickly becoming an issue employers simply cannot ignore.
In a recent decision of the District Court of South Australia, a South Australian record of $1,062,000 in damages have been awarded to seventy year-old Anthony Latz, who was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2016. Anthony Latz was exposed to asbestos fibres while building a fence using James Hardie asbestos sheeting in his Adelaide residence in 1976.
In an anti-bullying claim between two Deakin University law school academics, Fair Work Commission Commissioner Michelle Bissett has held that the claim has become sufficiently complex to warrant legal representation for both parties.
In two separate but equally unusual fatalities two Northern Territory organizations now face Work Health and Safety fines of up to $1.5 million
As a result of a three year long study, the Mental Health Commission of Canada has distilled their findings into nine key recommendations for organisations seeking to implement a workplace mental health standard.
Accountancy firm, Ezy Accounting 123 Pty Ltd has recently been found accessorily liable for restaurant operator Blue Impression’s underpayments.
The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has recently decided the case of Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty Ltd t/a Tasports v Gee [2017] FWCFB 1714, having dismissed the appeal based on the principles established in Pettifer v MODEC Management Services Pty Ltd [2016] FWCFB 5243 and Kool v Adecco Industrial Pty Ltd t/a Adecco [2016] FWC 925.
An organisation in New South Wales has recently been convicted and fined a record $1 million for offences under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) after its Director intentionally let a subcontractor work near live high-voltage powerlines to avoid delaying a construction project.
Queensland’s Labor Government will introduce legislation this month to order the licensing of labour hire companies from next year, setting the precedent for other Labor states such as Victoria and South Australia.
A payroll officer who refused to relocate from Western Australia to take up a human resources role in New South Wales has failed to establish that her resulting redundancy was the result of an unfair dismissal.
As part of the four yearly modern award review, the Full Bench made a number of determinations affecting the rights of casual employees.
The New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission has rejected a claim by the director of Mohammed Javed Pty Ltd, that he was stabbed by his son during the course of his employment, and would therefore be entitled to worker’s compensation payments, medical expenses and lump sum compensation.