Employment

Supermarket chain Woolworths, which is facing a class action over its staff underpayments, has admitted the amount owed to workers is at least $315 million, far higher than the company’s initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million.

The former CEO of Respiri has levelled a slew of claims at the ASX-listed medical technology company and two of its former directors, including breach of the Fair Work Act, as well as failure to pay short term incentives (STI) and vest options valued at $2.2 million.

Former AMP general counsel Larissa Cook, who is suing the financial services giant for alleged bullying, wants her former employer to provide details of claims in its defence that senior executives raised concerns about her conduct and that her performance was being "managed".

Supermarket giant Coles may be hit with a class action after it was revealed on Tuesday that the company owes staff in its supermarket and liquor businesses at least $20 million in pay.

A former managing director of Australian civil infrastructure contractor WBHO Infrastructure and his firm have lost their bid to cross-examine the company's instructing solicitor at Corrs Chambers Westgarth as part of a $1 million share dispute that followed his termination.

A former prosecutor working for the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions in its sexual offences division has won a $435,000 judgment by the state's Supreme Court after being diagnosed with depression and PTSD during her time working there.

Wood products giant Boral Timber has been found vicariously liable for a male worker's sexual harrassment of a female colleague, with an appeals court overturning a ruling that it said took a judge more than six years to deliver and "regrettably" brought the administration of justice into disrepute.

Wesfarmers has revealed staff at Target stores were underpaid $9 million, one day after Coles announced at least $20 million in underpayments.

Coles underpaid salaried staff members in its supermarket and liquor businesses at least $20 million over the past six years, the company revealed in announcing its half-yearly results.

Russells Lawyers has withdrawn a cross claim against a restructuring and insolvency solicitor who filed a lawsuit alleging the firm tried to manufacture a reason for terminating his employment.