Director fined $11,000 over ‘seriously reckless’ employment practices
03 May, 2012The former sole director of a retail company has been fined $11,000 after the Federal Magistrates Court found he presided over “seriously reckless” employment practices.
ACCC takes action against Safety Compliance
02 May, 2012The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings against Safety Compliance and three individuals related to the company. The company operates its business from Tweed Heads, NSW.
Colorpak workers could begin protected industrial action over sick leave
26 April, 2012Carton finishers in Melbourne’s south could soon begin protected industrial action in an effort to defend a key entitlement under threat by their management. AMWU Print Division organiser Tony Piccolo said negotiations on a new collective agreement at Colorpak’s Mt Waverly site had broken down over the issue of sick leave entitlements - traditionally paid out upon redundancy.
Toyota to face legal action over unfair dismissals
24 April, 2012Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, an Australian law firm, has filed Federal Court action today on behalf of sacked Toyota workers, to reinstate a number of those it claims were subjected to targeted and unlawful discrimination in the recent job cuts at the car company's Altona plant.
The social media conundrum: why organisations need a clear policy
12 April, 2012 by Brett Felthan and Cameron Nichol, PwC AustraliaThere have been a number of recent unfair dismissal cases involving the termination of the employment of employees because of what employees have said on social media websites. These cases, including the two referred to below, have highlighted that without a clear social media policy, employees may be confused about what they can and cannot write on social media websites. This may lead to employees making comments which results in them losing their jobs and employers facing costly litigation and negative publicity where they seek to take action against these employees.
Company fined $50,000 over electric shock incident
10 April, 2012Mulgrave sign installation company Southern Ultimate Sign Installations (Southern USI) has been convicted and fined $50,000, and ordered to pay almost $6000 in legal costs, over an incident that left a worker with severe burns to his body after he suffered an electric shock.
Farm safety under microscope after woman run over by truck
04 April, 2012Farm safety has been put in the spotlight following the conviction and $80,000 fine of Werribee vegetable grower J & K Zausa after a woman was run over by a truck reversing from a machinery shed.
Incidents and prosecutions show construction sector can do better
03 April, 2012Heavy fines have been imposed in a series of WorkSafe prosecutions after serious incidents for construction industry safety failings.
Workplace fatality fine nearly doubled after appeal
02 April, 2012Forestry company Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia, now part of BSG Holdings, had its fine for workplace safety breaches nearly doubled on appeal in the County Court recently.
Truck company owner fined $13,000 over sham contracting, underpayment
29 March, 2012The owner-operator of a Sydney truck company has been fined $13,024 for sham contracting activity and underpaying an employee, following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
A new phase for gender equality
20 March, 2012 by Cynthia Elachi, Senior Associate, Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety, Clayton UTZIn keeping with an election campaign commitment, the Equal Opportunity For Women In The Workplace Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 1 March 2012. Its focus is to improve workplace participation and flexibility, recognising that equal remuneration, and family and carer responsibilities are central to the achievement of gender equality. Importantly, it highlights that these issues are not only for women, but men also.
Basic safety failings created chain of events that cost apprentice's eye
24 February, 2012A roof tiling company's failure to install fall protection on a Rowville house resulted in an apprentice falling 2.4 metres to the ground and a fine representing one third of the company's annual profit.
Truck company raided and driver charged following investigations into triple fatality
23 February, 2012Police and NSW road safety authorities have launched an unprecedented operation on a trucking company following investigations into a fatal crash which claimed three lives in on the Hume Highway at Menangle last month.
Food manufacturer fined $50K for frankfurt failsafe failure
22 February, 2012George Weston Foods - one of Australia’s largest food processors - was convicted and fined $50,000 at the Castlemaine Magistrates’ Court on 17 February after pleading guilty to one count of failing to provide a safe plant, after a worker’s hand was crushed after being caught in a machine.
Industrial relations in 2012
13 February, 2012 by Paul Burns and Rohan Doyle*2012 is shaping up to be a very big year in industrial relations. Employers are waiting in anticipation for a number of developments which will no doubt present various opportunities and challenges for their businesses. This article looks at the top seven developments to watch out for in 2012.
