The ACTU says a decision by federal and state WHS ministers to regulate psychosocial hazards will obligate employers to eliminate mental health risks, but has bemoaned their failure to support national industrial manslaughter laws as a "missed opportunity".
In a case affirming that the onus of proof lies with the accuser in harassment cases, a court has thrown out a mechanic's claim seeking $160,000 compensation after finding insufficient evidence that his alleged employer was responsible for sending lewd and suggestive texts.
A full Federal Court has today upheld a permanent stay on an openly gay solicitor's discrimination and harassment case, after he refused to undergo a psychiatric examination paid for by his firm and performed by a specialist of its choosing.
The Morrison Government has stopped short of providing significant funding for working women's centres offering specialist advice on workplace harassment, despite recently expressing support for them in its response to the Respect@Work report.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of a finance broker who posted sexually-explicit Facebook memes, including one featuring a colleague after seeking her permission, finding a "robust" and sub-par workplace culture did not make his ousting unfair.
A tribunal in awarding a former Sydney Water worker $200,000 damages has factored in a "weasel worded" apology issued by the consultancy responsible for using her image in a "Feel great - lubricate!" safety campaign.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has promised to act on a report that found the protections for State ministerial staff against bullying and harassment are "unclear, ineffective and inadequate".
Unions and gender equality activists will push the Morrison Government to move quickly to introduce legal obligations for employers to prevent sexual harassment and assault at work.
The Morrison Government says it has adopted the 55 recommendations "wholly, in part, or in principle" in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins' landmark report on sexual harassment.
A barrage of "thuggish" texts sent by the partner of a worker alleging harassment and bullying did not justify her dismissal, the FWC has found, describing the employer's attempt to vacuum-seal its investigation of her claims as both unreasonable and unrealistic.