Lauren Hannath (Hodge Jones and Allen Solicitors) During a restructure an employer may offer to demote an employee as an alternative to a dismissal for reason of redundancy. Depending on the circumstances, a demotion may be beneficial to both parties. A demotion generally involves an employer changing an employee’s role which results in less responsibility, reduced seniority and/or reduced pay. However, it is crucial that employers tread carefully if they choose to take such

Jess Bell (Human Resources Director) Big changes to annualised wage agreements are looming with employers facing harsh penalties if they fail to comply. From March 1, the new rules will apply to employers who have workers on annualised wage agreements under 18 different awards. The changes will also be brought into a further four awards – including the hospitality sector – but a timeframe hasn’t yet been decided by the Fair Work Commission. The changes spell greater record ke

David Marin-Guzman (Financial Review) Professionals Australia will lead a push this year to organise technology workers over unpaid overtime and harassment issues, with big tech firm Google a major target. The union is looking to expand its core membership base of engineers to the white-collar workforce in the face of huge growth predicted in the technology sector and increased demand for workers due to COVID-19 restrictions on migration. The push follows more than 400 Google

Chantelle Rodrigues (Daily Mail Australia) A man who was killed in a freak workplace accident involving heavy machinery has been identified as a loving father-of-three. Rick Clayton died at a jobsite at Pinkenba in Brisbane's east on January 22 after a frantic Triple-0 call was made at about 2.30am that morning. Mr Clayton died at the scene. Mr Clayton, also known as 'Wicks', leaves behind his three children and partner, Nikki Hensey. Family friend Rebecca Lee has set up a Go

Mirage Civilian employee, and Executive Assistant for the NSW Police Academy, Lisa Gardner, has also been recognised for her outstanding service to the NSW Police Force and will be awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM). Commissioner Fuller said the awards reflect the years of service each employee has dedicated to the NSWPF and the people of NSW. “Each year, we recognise a handful of employees for their exceptional careers with the NSW Police Force, where they have displayed

HR News Blue Monday – the name given to the most depressing day of the year – fell on 18th January and, it’s fair to say, there was plenty more to be down about in 2021 than previous years. The UK is in another lockdown, COVID-19 cases and deaths are spiking across the country, and the economy is facing a potential ‘double-dip’ recession. With the vaccination effort picking up speed, normality feels both tantalisingly close and yet painfully far away. In such dark, abnormal t

skynews.com.au Resolution123 Founder Carly Stebbing has discussed with Sky News a variety of legal contentions which may emerge in the workplace as Australia moves towards a COVIDSafe future and prepares to distribute a coronavirus vaccine. Some business leaders want National Cabinet to issue urgent guidelines on whether employers can direct staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and have expressed concerns over unfair dismissal claims if workers are sacked for refusing the jab.

Hannah Ryan (The Armidale Express) Australia's mining industry has pledged to wipe out sexual harassment. The Minerals Council of Australia has committed to putting a stop to the practice in a statement endorsed by its board of directors and supported by all member companies. The move is a response to a landmark Australian Human Rights Commission report published last year. The council, in its statement, promises to create an industry culture "that respects all people, elimin

Brett Lackey (Daily Mail Australia) A man has been killed in a workplace accident involving heavy machinery in the early hours of Friday morning. Queensland Police rushed to an excavation equipment business at Pinkenba, in Brisbane's east, about 2.30am after reports a man had been injured. The man was treated but died at the scene. The incident is understood to have been at GLB Equipment Pty Ltd which sell earthmoving vehicles such as excavators. Police and Workplace Health a

Jasmine Johnson (Echo Press) With a multitude of employees transitioning to work from home this year, businesses have been pushed to learn flexibility. However, this change has made it easier to blur work and life balance and forget to unplug from one’s job while off the clock. Over 50 percent of people have reported worse mental health at work since COVID-19 started, according to the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation. This is just a sample of the aware