A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruling involving Westpac Banking Corporation has sent a strong reminder to employers about how requests for flexible or work-from-home (WFH) arrangements must be handled. In this case, a long-serving Westpac employee who had been working from home full time for five years was asked to return to the office. […]
A recent High Court decision in Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd v Bartley [2025] HCA 29 has reshaped how employers must approach redeployment when relying on the “genuine redundancy” defence to an unfair dismissal claim. The Court held that, in some cases, it may be reasonable and necessary for an employer to consider whether a redundant employee could perform work currently being […]
A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision has highlighted the risks businesses face when workplace policies and procedures are unclear. In this case, a manager was dismissed after refusing to undergo a drug and alcohol test. While the refusal did breach company policy, the Commission found the dismissal was unfair due to gaps in the […]
The Fair Work Commission handed down its annual wage review decision on 3 June 2025. The Commission has decided to increase the National Minimum Wage and minimum wages in all modern awards by 3.5% . These increases will take effect from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2025. The National […]
A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruling has underscored the importance of following proper consultation procedures—even for small businesses—when making roles redundant. The case involved a long-serving employee who was dismissed without warning after nearly 15 years with a tile import business. The FWC ultimately found the dismissal to be unfair, awarding more than $31,000 […]
A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision has highlighted key responsibilities for employers managing casual workers, following a case where a fast food employee was effectively dismissed after her shifts were cut to zero without formal notice. The worker, a casual crew member in Perth, had been working regular shifts from February 2023 until July […]
We thought we’d take a small break from our usual articles to let you know about an event we have helped organise through BNI Eastern. Stress is something that affects all business owners and employers, but it’s how you manage it that separates the good from the great. Stress management is how both Simon and […]
When an employee leaves your company, it’s not just a goodbye. It can alsobe an opportunity! Exit interviews are a critical part of the offboarding process, offering insightsthat can help you refine your workplace culture, improve employeeretention, and ensure the smooth transition of roles. What is an Exit Interview?An exit interview is a vital conversation […]
The Importance of Proper Supervision for Young and Inexperienced Workers: Lessons from Recent Prosecutions At Performance Advantage, we emphasize the critical importance of proper supervision and training for young and inexperienced workers. Recent prosecutions of Queensland meat manufacturing companies underscore this necessity. These cases serve as a stark reminder that ensuring workers are adequately supervised […]
As an employer, navigating the terrain of disciplinary action with your staff can be challenging. It’s crucial to understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to issuing warnings and taking disciplinary action. To shed light on these legalities, Andrew Jewell (principal lawyer at Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers) recently gave his opinion in an article […]
