
By Mark Cox, Director and Joanna Knoth, Senior Associate
Dealing with an unfair dismissal claim requires an understanding of employment law. Get legal advice from an employment lawyer soon as possible.
By Mark Cox, Director and Joanna Knoth, Senior Associate
Dealing with an unfair dismissal claim requires an understanding of employment law. Get legal advice from an employment lawyer soon as possible.
By MDC Legal
The relationship between employer and employee is subject to a multitude of Australian state and federal laws and is key to the success of any business. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face a number of challenges when managing their employees. Many businesses lack a dedicated human resources department, leaving HR responsibilities to busy owners or senior managers.
By Nicholas Parkinson, Lawyer
If employees are inappropriately classified as casuals, they may be able to bring claims against their employer for breaches of Modern Awards or the Fair Work Act 2009. They may also be able to claim that their employer has misrepresented their workplace rights. In these circumstances, employees will be entitled to seek compensation as well as penalties of up to $54,000 against the employer for each breach or misrepresentation.
By Ruth Collins, Lawyer
In the recent case of Joseph Roussety v Castricum Brothers Pty Ltd the Supreme Court of Victoria was called upon to consider an employee’s negligence claim for overwork causing psychiatric injury. This case serves as a salient reminder that an employer owes a duty to take reasonable care to avoid any foreseeable risk of injury arising from an employee’s circumstances of employment. In particular, it warns of the dangers of cost cutting without having regard to the effect on existing employees.
By Ruth Collins, Lawyer
MDC Legal has successfully defended an employer against an employee’s claims for unpaid visa expenses and bonuses exceeding $200,000. The applicant, Mr Bradley, was employed by the respondent, Binder Group Pty Ltd, as their WA Industrial Sales Manager and later as its National Sales Manager from July 2011 to April 2015. After resigning from his employment, Mr Bradley brought proceedings in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (Commission) against Binder Group alleging that he was owed contractual benefits. All of Mr Bradley’s claims were rejected by the Commission.
By MDC Legal
Ms Heraud went on maternity leave in September 2013. She was due to return to her role in a senior position in July 2014. Meanwhile, Roy Morgan had a revenue downturn leading to a restructure of its operations, causing Ms Heraud’s role to be made redundant.
By MDC Legal
Not so long ago, there was a clear line between work and play – between conduct at work and employees’ private lives, with the latter being none of the employer’s business. Now, due to advances in technology (particularly information technology), the expansive reach of social media, and because employees are increasingly working from anywhere, the boundary between work life and private life has blurred.
By Ruth Collins, Lawyer and Jessie Poon, Lawyer
The recent unfair dismissal case of Michael Treen v Adelaide Services Alliance T/A Allwater JV [2016] FWC 2737 (Treen) highlights the need for employers to be consistent in their disciplinary action.
By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel
In November 2015, Mark Cox and Nikita Barsby presented this topic to lawyers and human resources professionals at Legalwise’s seminar: “Workplace Law – A Brave New World for Employers.”
By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel
In the recent case of Heraud v Roy Morgan Research Ltd [2016] FCCA 185, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCCA) found that Roy Morgan Research Ltd (RMR) contravened provisions of the Fair Work Act (FW Act) by refusing an employee’s request for flexible working hours and making her redundant while she was on maternity leave.