AHRC Hosts Positive Duty Webinar It’s only two weeks out from when the powers of the AHRC and their positive duty are live on the 12th December 2023. This webinar hosted by the AHRC is a great opportunity to hear what powers the Commission have, how they will use them and how a workplace can […]
Cost Reforms Introduced to Better Protect Applicants in Discrimination Matters On Wednesday this week, the Albanese Government introduced the Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023. The bill would implement the Government’s response to Recommendation 25 of the Respect@Work report. The report had previously found that applicants were “often deterred from proceeding to[…..]
Sydney Jeweller Ordered to Pay Record Amount of General Damages for Sexual Harassment This week, the Federal Court ordered a record amount of general damages in a sexual harassment case in Sydney. Justice Anna Katzmann awarded Fiona Taylor $268,233.64 in damages after she was found to have been sexually harassed by Simon Grew, owner of[…..]
Public Service Census Finds More than 40% Plan to Leave Agency Within Five Years A State Government survey of public sector workers has revealed that a significant number of employees are planning to quit their agency due to “pressure, bullying and harassment.” The census involved more than 47,000 public sector employees. 10.4% of the workers[…..]
Two Victorian Hospital Cafes Fined Almost $300,000 For Sexual Harassment of Works Two hospital cafes have been prosecuted by Worksafe and fined almost $300,000 over the sexual harassment of workers in Victoria. The owner of the two coffee shops was convicted on two charges for “failing to ensure a workplace under his control was safe[…..]
WorkSafe Fines Court Services Victoria $380,000 for ‘Toxic’ Workplace Court Services Victoria (CSV) has been fined $379,157 and convicted this week for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace. The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard this week that from December 2015 to September 2018, employees at the Coroners Court were “at risk from exposure to[…..]
Lawyers and Barristers Placed on Notice in Relation to Sexual Harassment The watchdog for the legal profession has warned that barristers and solicitors may face disbarment or losing their right to practice if they fail to take adequate steps to prevent sexual harassment or discrimination of their staff. Practitioners will be closely watched as to[…..]
Disability Services Minda Incorporated Fined $42,000 Following Sexual Assault of Worker SafeWork South Australia (SA) announced this week that Minda Incorporated (‘Minda’) was fined $42,000 after a worker was sexually and physically assaulted by a youth in their care. The investigation conducted by SafeWork SA found that Minda had “failed to provide a safe system[…..]
Disability Royal Commission Hands Down Final Report, Makes 222 Recommendations The long-awaited final report from the Disability Royal Commission was released this week following a 4-and-a-half-year investigation into Australia’s disability care sector. The report consists of 12 volumes and suggests 222 recommendations. It is the largest investigation into the experiences of Australians with disabilities. Some[…..]
Bonuses and Pay Rises Can Be Withheld from Employees and Managers Employers will be able to withhold bonuses and pay rises from managers and employees in order to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. From December, employers have a positive duty to prevent sexual assault, harassment and similar discriminatory behaviour. The legislation shifts[…..]