As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia gains momentum, with more than 30% of people over the age of 16 fully vaccinated,[1] businesses are asking whether it’s possible to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine in the workplace. In jurisdictions where workplace manslaughter offences operate, there are issues to consider in respect of both mandating the vaccine … Read more
In the flurry of recent activity in the workplace relations space we thought we’d draw your attention to a case that may have slipped through. Justice Jackson’s decision in Hastwell v Kott Gunning (No 5) [2020] FCA 621 (read here), is a fascinating case study in the admissibility of medical evidence and the rights of … Read more
This is the final post in a series on adverse action claims, based on a presentation delivered by Michael Cochrane (Special Counsel) to the Television Education Network (TEN) on 13 November 2019. In our previous post, we focused on how to reduce the risk of an adverse action claim arising when an employee takes stress … Read more
By Michael Cochrane (Senior Associate), Josephine Mammone (Trainee Lawyer) and Stephanie Koumbarakos (Trainee Lawyer) There has been much discussion about the macroeconomic picture of our workplace relations system in recent times with the gig economy, “wage theft”, the ACTU’s “change the rules” campaign, enterprise bargaining trends – and of course that leadership circus in Canberra … Read more
By James Allen (Lawyer) and Michael Cochrane (Senior Associate) In May this year, the Federal Circuit Court ruled that an accounting firm (Ezy Accounting) which provided payroll services was liable (as an accessory) for breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009 committed by its client, a Japanese restaurant chain (click here to read our earlier … Read more
