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In a recent ruling, a Magistrate allowed an employee to pursue unpaid overtime and lunch break claims totalling $29,000...

In a recent ruling, a Magistrate allowed an employee to pursue unpaid overtime and lunch break claims totalling $29,000 as the employment contract failed to properly specify provisions it purported to oust in her annualised salary. Next Residential Pty Ltd, a Perth building company, denied an employee had been directed...

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Modern Awards Update Extended

Following the 4 yearly review of the Modern Awards by the Fair Work Commission, a number of changes have...

Following the 4 yearly review of the Modern Awards by the Fair Work Commission, a number of changes have been introduced to ensure consistency around annual leave provisions. The affected awards include: General Retail Industry Award 2010 Fast Food Industry Award 2010 Restaurant Industry Award 2010 Clerks Private Sector...

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Union wins adverse action claim

A Western Australia crane hire company was recently fined $25,500 for contravening sections of the Fair Work Act when...

A Western Australia crane hire company was recently fined $25,500 for contravening sections of the Fair Work Act when they terminated a crane operator’s employment for expressing his workplace right of being underpaid for overtime. In May 2014, the mobile crane operator and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union...

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7- Eleven, wages and the Franchise Code: The story so far

A recent decision in the Federal Circuit Court is one of the latest episodes in the ongoing 7-Eleven wages...

A recent decision in the Federal Circuit Court is one of the latest episodes in the ongoing 7-Eleven wages saga. Federal Circuit Court Judge, Michael Jarrett, saw fit to impose the largest penalty ever ordered for an action brought by the Fair Work Ombudsman on the operator of 7-Eleven...

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Fair Work Commission refreshes its digital image

As of Friday 8th July, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) launched a revitalised website with new design and features...

As of Friday 8th July, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) launched a revitalised website with new design and features which have been based on feedback compiled through a website usability survey by stakeholders. The Commission was seeking feedback to improve the design, user experience and the functionality of the...

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Bullying linked to suicidal thoughts

This week saw the National Retail Association facilitate two mental health workshops to help our members identify and manage...

This week saw the National Retail Association facilitate two mental health workshops to help our members identify and manage mental health issues in the workplace. New Australian research has identified that workplace bullying and harassment increases the likelihood of a worker developing suicidal thoughts. These results highlight a growing need...

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NRA staff member highlight – Dominique Lamb

Dominique Lamb is the Director of the NRA’s Legal Division and Principal of NRA Legal. She has extensive experience providing...

Dominique Lamb is the Director of the NRA’s Legal Division and Principal of NRA Legal. She has extensive experience providing industrial relations and employment law advice to a range of small, medium and large businesses across a range of industries. Dominique brings a level passion and motivation to her role which...

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Message from the CEO: 30 May 2016

The media attention surrounding the 7-Eleven chain last year was a wake-up call for the entire retail industry. At...

The media attention surrounding the 7-Eleven chain last year was a wake-up call for the entire retail industry. At the time, the National Retail Association urged all retailers to ensure they understood and were actively complying with their obligations to employees in relation to pay rates and conditions. This week...

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IR Update: Employer’s decision to sack for serious misconduct based on “flimsy” evidence

We often receive calls from members who claim to have footage of employees engaged in misconduct. This case is...

We often receive calls from members who claim to have footage of employees engaged in misconduct. This case is a timely reminder that in order to rely on video footage it must be conclusive. It is simply not enough to have something on camera that is unclear. In Mulhall v...

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Extending unfair contract term protections to small businesses

A new law recently passed by the Federal Government will protect small businesses from unfair contact terms in standard...

A new law recently passed by the Federal Government will protect small businesses from unfair contact terms in standard form contracts. The new law will come into force on 12 November 2016 following a 12 month transition period. A small business is defined as employing less than 20 people, including...

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QLD Alert: Changes to Work Health Safety Laws

As a result of the Queensland Government’s “Improving Safety for Queenslanders at Work” Policy, Work Health and Safety laws...

As a result of the Queensland Government’s “Improving Safety for Queenslanders at Work” Policy, Work Health and Safety laws in Queensland have changed effective 22 October 2015. The amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 are as follows: WHS entry permit holders allowed to enter a workplace immediately...

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