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The FWC has awarded compensation to a HR manager allegedly dismissed without reason after being told to sack a worker on "any grounds necessary".

In a case that yesterday earned a mention in Parliament, the FWC has overlooked an employer's reasons for sacking a volatile employee to find that his own evidence that he was "not right" to return to work because mental health issues justified the dismissal.

Employers say they are approving most flexible hours and work from home requests, according to a FWC-commissioned modern awards review survey that suggests the tribunal might explore entrenching a right to fully flexible arrangements for work that can be performed remotely.

Shadow workplace relations minister Michaelia Cash has quizzed FWC general manager Murray Furlong on a "potentially serious" bullying or harassment allegation involving a tribunal member, and has questioned the ability of a former gang member to retain his entry permit while facing criminal charges.

In a landmark ruling today on franchisors' IR compliance obligations, the Federal Court has imposed a $1.44 million fine on a coffee chain for its franchisees' underpayments and record-keeping breaches.

Inadequate award descriptors and lack of opportunity to progress through the award classification system have contributed to rife underclassification in the social and community services sector, a new survey has found.

A FWC full bench has extended a 22-year-old zombie agreement's drop-dead date for a second time to enable bargaining for a replacement agreement to continue.

A FWC bench has upheld a ruling that a club unfairly sacked a casual duty manager after accusing her of stealing a drink, but not before rejecting a presidential member's finding that the "theft" needed to be established "beyond reasonable doubt" and that the employer used an "intimidatory" dismissal process.

The FWC's expert panel has this morning approved a 3.75% increase in all award rates and the national minimum wage, but has rebuffed the ACTU's bid for an immediate additional 4% for workers in highly-feminised industries, instead committing to a timetable to address the issue over the next 12 months.

The FWC has extended time for a late unfair sacking claim after accepting that the worker held off making his application because the employer told him that he had failed to serve the minimum employment period and its external HR provider and its solicitor then reinforced it with similar advice.