FWO Imposes Record Penalties to Director Underpaying Security Guards

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) declared the Director of security company ‘Step Ahead Security Services’ had deliberately underpaid eight...

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) declared the Director of security company ‘Step Ahead Security Services’ had deliberately underpaid eight casual employees hired as security guards by over $20,000 over a three-month period. The Director was ordered to personally repay the employees as well as paying penalties of over $50,000 with...

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Breakdown after dismissal breathes new life into unfair dismissal claim

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker...

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker was granted permission by the Commission to pursue her unfair dismissal claim, 64 days outside the 21 day statutory limit. Senior Deputy President (Snr DP) Lea Drake considered the worker’s statement...

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Gender equality delivers better business outcomes

Inspiration was served warm and strong at a breakfast seminar for retailers in Brisbane at the end of May....

Inspiration was served warm and strong at a breakfast seminar for retailers in Brisbane at the end of May.  Two highly respected speakers, Theresa Moltoni, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland, and Dominique Lamb, Director of Legal Services at the National Retail Association, spoke passionately...

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Blind Hiring – Is your company unconsciously biased when hiring?

Research has identified that organisations are unconsciously discriminating against gender types in the initial stages of hiring employees. In traditional...

Research has identified that organisations are unconsciously discriminating against gender types in the initial stages of hiring employees. In traditional corporate management roles, men are more likely to be hired than women. Whereas in nursing, men are less likely to be considered for the role over women as the role...

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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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MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Annual Leave Common Issue Decision

On 23 May 2016, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision as part of their four-yearly review...

On 23 May 2016, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down a decision as part of their four-yearly review of the modern awards. Last year the FWC determined model clauses regarding ‘cashing out of annual leave’; ‘excessive annual leave’; ‘electronic funds transfer and paid annual leave;’ and ‘granting leave...

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MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Young Workers at Risk

Young workers have a higher rate of injury in the workplace, according to a factsheet published by the NSW...

Young workers have a higher rate of injury in the workplace, according to a factsheet published by the NSW Better Regulation Division. From 2011 to 2014, over 45,000 young workers were injured while at work. This rate may actually be 6 times higher due to young workers underreporting work...

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Enterprise Agreement declined due to inadequate notice

This week we look at a recent case which serves as a timely reminder to employers engaging in enterprise...

This week we look at a recent case which serves as a timely reminder to employers engaging in enterprise bargaining to take note of the time requirements as detailed in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). If you are considering bargaining or if your enterprise agreement is due to...

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Crane Driver’s Artwork Cause for Fair Dismissal

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) declined a former crane driver’s application for unfair dismissal as it found that he...

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) declined a former crane driver’s application for unfair dismissal as it found that he had drawn inappropriate images on documents and shipping containers as well as displayed threatening behavior towards his superiors. An investigation was conducted by the employer into allegations that the employee had...

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Franchises who flaunt employment law put on notice

Franchises have come under increased scrutiny as law firm Maurice Blackburn calls for tighter regulation and tougher laws to...

Franchises have come under increased scrutiny as law firm Maurice Blackburn calls for tighter regulation and tougher laws to force franchisors to account for franchisees that underpay workers. Maurice Blackburn Employment Principal, Josh Bornstein has said that regulators must do more to prevent “franchisors turning a blind eye to systematic...

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Women and the Australian retail industry

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both...

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both sales, and non-sales roles, according to a recent report prepared by the National Retail Association (NRA). The report highlights the significant contribution made by women across the industry and gives particular attention...

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Federal Minimum Wage Set to Increase

The minimum wage for award covered employees is due to increase in July 2016. The Fair Work Commission will...

The minimum wage for award covered employees is due to increase in July 2016. The Fair Work Commission will outline the new award pay rates in a determination to be delivered in June 2016 and we will provide our members with updated Wage Summaries shortly after. Employers must make sure...

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Adverse action for shifting worker to part-time

This week we look at a recent case where a club was ordered to pay over $415,000 in compensation...

This week we look at a recent case where a club was ordered to pay over $415,000 in compensation when they breached multiple IR laws and engaged in adverse action by modifying an employee’s hours from full-time to part-time without mutual consent to avoid extra costs of a worker’s...

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Call for submission: Australian Consumer Law Review

Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) are currently undertaking a review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which...

Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) are currently undertaking a review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which is the national law governing fair trading and consumer protection across all jurisdictions of Australia. The National Retail Association (NRA) will be making a submission to CAANZ, on behalf of members...

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Does your business have a plan for managing parental leave?

All Australian employees are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for their employer for a least 12...

All Australian employees are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for their employer for a least 12 months: before the date or expected date of birth. Parental leave entitlements may include: • Maternity leave • Paternity and partner leave • Adoption leave • Special maternity leave • A safe job and no safe...

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Dancing CEO’s in the fight against domestic violence

Last Friday night saw Brisbane’s leading CEOs swap the boardroom for the City Hall dance floor to raise funds...

Last Friday night saw Brisbane’s leading CEOs swap the boardroom for the City Hall dance floor to raise funds for Dancing CEO’s, an annual gala event to support Women’s Legal Service and the prevention of domestic violence. The National Retail Association (NRA) was proud to be an event sponsor...

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