Violence against women is now recognised as a serious and widespread problem in Australia. Whilst awareness has increased of domestic violence as a community issue, there is still much to be done to support victims. 2017 saw an increase in support for a workplace response to family violence, through the inclusion of family and domestic…
Category: News & Commentary
The law on unpaid work experience: Is the benefit worth the “cost”?
The prevalence of unpaid work experience in Australia is staggering, especially in regards to young adults. A study published by the Commonwealth Department of Employment found 58% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 had completed a period of unpaid work experience. 61% engaged in work experience lasting less than a month, while…
Professional sports contracts: Are they worth the paper they are written on?
As a matter of principle, professional sports contracts, whether it be in the NRL, AFL, A-League or Suncorp Super Netball, are more or less the same as other employment contracts. The athlete is the employee and the club that they play for is the employer. Both types of contracts set out the terms and conditions…
Dismissals ‘R’ Us: A New Trend in ‘shake down’ litigation putting commercial pressure on Employers
Following some emerging trends in representative conduct in the Unfair Dismissal jurisdiction in particular, the Fair Work Commission require broader powers to make costs orders, especially against lawyers and paid agents who bring, or continue, claims that lack merit. The Fair Work Commission’s power to make orders for costs under the Act are limited, primarily to situations in which…
Workplace sexual harassment and the culture of silence: Are non-disclosure agreements to blame?
Harvey Weinstein has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. The New York Times investigative article on 5 October 2017 exposed Weinstein’s 30-year history of alleged sexual harassment and assault of young actresses and female employees. Since this article, many other women have come forward with their stories relating to Weinstein and…
Same-sex marriage and religious protections at work. Are we getting the full story?
The topic of same-sex marriage has been hotly debated since the Government announced its plans for a postal plebiscite on the issue. Most in favour of change recognise this as a human rights issue, and most against change consider it an attack on religion, free speech, or other undefined ‘values’. But there has been very…