Workplace policy page 74 of 81

Using labour hire arrangements to acquire specific skill sets and increase operational flexibility is a legitimate business strategy and employers shouldn't be forced to drop labour hire workers to redeploy redundant employees, the FWC has found.

The Queensland Government says the major review of the state's IR laws will address the powers of its tribunals in a reduced jurisdiction, changed working arrangements and "contemporary issues" such as bullying, domestic violence and work-life balance.

Cleaners strike in Parliament bathrooms to support pay claim; Miscarriage not reason enough for an extension of time; Lunching security guard unfairly dismissed; Accountant's sacking fair in "highly unusual" case; High Court to hear unions challenge to offshore visas; and Bechtel clarifies position on leave approval.

A reinstated employee, who was originally sacked for serious safety breaches, has had his compensation order overturned by an FWC full bench.

An FWC full bench has upheld Port Kembla Coal Terminal’s use of both urine and saliva testing in its drug and alcohol enforcement policy.

A CommSec customer service officer placed on performance plans and counselled for breaching the company's "clean desk" policy has failed to convince the FWC he was bullied by his employer and two supervisors.

The Federal Circuit Court has fined construction company Baulderstone $25,000 for taking adverse action against a worker who resigned his CFMEU membership, along with $7000 in penalties for two HR managers who were carrying out orders and failed to "exercise their choice" to refuse to comply.

The FWC has compensated a senior HR consultant after her employer conducted a flawed investigation into suspicions she had copied confidential information to help start her own business.

Workers on the Gorgon LNG project will begin voting on Wednesday on whether to take industrial action to push head contractor CB&I to offer shorter roster cycles, at the same time as parliamentary inquiries in WA and Queensland have weighed-up whether new regulations are needed for non-residential workforces.

Former CFMEU official Ben Loakes' claims the union conspired to have him sacked have been rejected by the FWC after it found the official's evidence did not stand up to "any scrutiny".