The Fair Work Commission has thrown out an unfair dismissal claim brought by an “utterly unrepentant” automotive mechanic, who described the COVID-19 pandemic as a “scam” and repeatedly breached NSW public health orders.
A judge has suggested that a class action against the New South Wales government over a mandate requiring healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 should be de-classed, saying it was a “straightforward point” because no financial relief was sought.
McDonald’s has been hit with a lawsuit on behalf of 339 employees across four states alleging it systematically failed to give workers paid 10-minute breaks, a month after a class action was filed against the fast food giant for allegedly denying workers rest breaks.
Engineering company UGL Limited has denied wrongdoing in a class action on behalf of casual aluminium construction and manufacturing workers who were allegedly underpaid for over three years, saying they were, in fact, overpaid.
A judge has dismissed an urgent application to block Qantas from taking disciplinary action against unvaccinated employees, but the airline has committed to extending their leave with pay until a challenge to its COVID-19 vaccination policy can be heard.
Labour on-hire and recruitment company CoreStaff has settled a class action alleging it lured workers to Australia from Papua New Guinea with the promise of long-term work, only to terminate their employment agreements less than three years after they relocated.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has been hit with a $45 million lawsuit by the Finance Sector Union for allegedly failing to provide thousands of employees with paid rest breaks for at least six years.
A law firm has escaped an order for costs sought by a Melbourne city council that argued the firm had turned a blind eye to a client’s lack of credibility in an unfair dismissal case.
Switzer Financial Group has sued a former senior adviser, claiming he sent a defamatory email to a client accusing the firm — run by financial commentator Peter Switzer — of lacking concern about a conflict of interest.
Herbert Smith Freehills has picked up a leading work health and safety lawyer from Clyde & Co to join the Big Six law firm in Sydney as special counsel.