Woolworths: Australia’s biggest staff underpayment case hits $571m
Woolworths employee underpayments have blown out to at least $571 million, with an ongoing payroll review uncovering even more underpayments within its businesses. The retail giant has admitted that newly discovered payroll errors have resulted in a further $144...
Sacking Of Worker For Excessive Personal Texting at Work Upheld
The Fair Work Commission has upheld the sacking of an employee after phone records revealed she sent an "extraordinary and unacceptable" amount of text messages at work while overseeing her growing side business. The full-time health, safety, environment and training...
Transport Business Fines $14k For Unlawful JobKeeper Cashback Payments
A $14,000 penalty was handed to the operator of a Queensland transport business for implementing an unlawful cashback requirement involving JobKeeper payments. The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed the penalty against Khan Andrew Buchanan, a sole trader who...
Changes to the Hair and Beauty Industry Award 2010 from 31 January 2022
Increase of Casual Weekend Penalty Rates The Fair Work Commission made a decision to increase weekend casual penalty rates for casual employees under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award on 7 October 2021. The weekend penalty rate includes their casual loading. These...
Casino Operator Underpaid Nearly 2200 Employees
Star Entertainment Group has identified underpayment of wages to nearly 2200 salaried team members through a six-year retrospective wage review of salaried team members underpinned by modern awards. There were cases of team members who found themselves not to be...
Pub baron accused of underpaying and overworking 14,000 staff
Pub baron Justin Hemmes has been accused of underpaying thousands of employees over several years, with some former employees making allegations of working one-hundred-hour weeks and few rest breaks. In December 2019, Merivale was sued by Canberra firm Adero Law,...
Changes to SCHADS Award from July 2022
The Fair Work Commission has announced changes to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2020 following the completion its 4 yearly review. The SCHADS Award covers many employers in the social and community services sector. This...
Wildernis Cafe and Bar in court for underpaying employees
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the operator of a cafe located in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Facing court is Wildernis Pty Ltd, which operates Wildernis Cafe and Bar. The FWO commenced an investigation after receiving a request for...
Employee or contractor? High court rulings provide clarity
The test of whether an individual is an employee or contractor was ruled with clarity by the High Court of Australia on 9 February 2022 in two court cases. Whether or not a person is an employee or contractor can be viewed through the prism of ‘do they own or operate...
Victoria’s Pandemic Order Amended from 11:59pm on Wednesday 12 January
The Victorian Government has announced changes to the pandemic orders to come into effect from 11:59pm on Wednesday 12 January. Third dose requirements for workers in key sectors Workers in key sectors who are already required to be fully vaccinated must get their...
