Laws

How failure to consult on workplace policy led to reinstatement of intoxicated worker

Leave a Comment / March 19, 2025 / Fines & Breaches, Laws

The Fair Work Commission (Commission) has reinstated an employee after he was found to have breached a workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy (D&A Policy) in the recent decision Craig Hancock v Sydney International Container Terminals Pty Limited [2025] FWC 516. This case highlights the importance of consulting appropriately with your workforce around policy changes and choosing appropriate methods of communication.

How failure to consult on workplace policy led to reinstatement of intoxicated worker Read More »

Lawyer’s ‘concern’ about Working From Home (WFH) during a cyclone

Workplace Tragedy Does Not Discriminate

Leave a Comment / March 6, 2025 / Death, Fines & Breaches, Injury, Laws, Safety

While transport, construction and agriculture were the deadliest sectors in 2024, workplace fatalities were spread across more than half of all industries and involved dozens of occupations.

Workplace Tragedy Does Not Discriminate Read More »

What happens when workplace rules clash?

Man convicted over $114,000 compensation fraud

Leave a Comment / February 28, 2025 / Fines & Breaches, Laws

A business manager has been convicted and placed on a Community Corrections Order after dishonestly claiming $114,952 in workers compensation payments while secretly working a full-time job.

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Minns Labor Government to establish SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator

Leave a Comment / February 20, 2025 / Laws, Safety

The NSW Minns Labor Government will continue its mission to ensure workers have strong laws and a tough regulator on the beat by introducing a bill into the NSW Parliament to establish SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator.

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Worker’s injury while commuting fails compensation test

Leave a Comment / January 16, 2025 / Injury, Laws

The County Court of Victoria recently dealt with a case where a worker sought compensation under the Transport Accident Act 1986. She argued that injuries from a bus incident impacted her ability to work and her future employment prospects.

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Golf carts and kangaroo crashes: Who’s to blame when a worker gets injured at a Christmas party?

Leave a Comment / December 23, 2024 / Injury, Laws

With most organisations right in the middle of their Christmas get-togethers, many may realise that injuries at end-of-year parties do happen – but whose fault is it?

Golf carts and kangaroo crashes: Who’s to blame when a worker gets injured at a Christmas party? Read More »

Failure to follow disciplinary procedures can be costly

Leave a Comment / December 19, 2024 / Laws

High Court rules employee entitled to damages for psychiatric injury caused by employer’s breach of contract – unpacking the case of Elisha v Vision Australia Limited [2024] HCA 50 On 11 December 2024 the High Court of Australia found damages were available for psychiatric injury to an unfairly dismissed employee in circumstances where the injury

Failure to follow disciplinary procedures can be costly Read More »

Council worker wins compensation claim while working from home

Leave a Comment / October 31, 2024 / Fines & Breaches, Injury, Laws

An Adelaide-based council worker has won a compensation claim on injuries she suffered in 2022 while working from home.

Council worker wins compensation claim while working from home Read More »

Qantas to pay compensation for unlawful vaccine policy

Leave a Comment / October 21, 2024 / Laws, Mental Health

In November 2021 Qantas implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all of its employees.

Qantas to pay compensation for unlawful vaccine policy Read More »

Worker’s lapse maims offsider; how can victim sue?

Leave a Comment / October 17, 2024 / Injury, Laws

How can an injured worker recover injury compensation damages for an on-the-job accident when an employer has put in place a safe system of work only to have a co-worker fail to follow the system as a result of a momentary lapse.

Worker’s lapse maims offsider; how can victim sue? Read More »

Paper based health and safety does not make work (or a workplace) compliant or safe

Leave a Comment / October 14, 2024 / Laws

There is a popular misconception within organisations and across industries that obtaining a work health and safety accreditation (such as ISO 45001) equates to compliance with health and safety legislation.

Paper based health and safety does not make work (or a workplace) compliant or safe Read More »

City Council ordered to pay $600,000 for an injured contractor

Leave a Comment / October 1, 2024 / Fines & Breaches, Laws

Townsville City Council has been ordered to pay almost $600,000 to a contractor left blind in one eye after an industrial accident.

City Council ordered to pay $600,000 for an injured contractor Read More »

Major ride-share provider fined

Leave a Comment / September 29, 2024 / Fines & Breaches, Laws

Ride-share provider Didi has been fined a total of $97,000 for safety breaches in NSW.

Major ride-share provider fined Read More »