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556 articles are classified in All Articles > 2020 coronavirus pandemic > Employers


Union seeks to reverse BHP vax mandate

The CFMMEU's mining and energy division has asked the FWC to halt the rollout of BHP's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy at the Mt Arthur open cut coal mine in the Hunter Valley, claiming it is not a lawful and reasonable direction.

Judge puts FWC member on notice over vax views

A Supreme Court judge has slapped down a FWC presidential member's "clarion call" for Australians to "vigorously" reject the notion of mandatory COVID-19 jabs, questioning her assertions about the efficacy of vaccines and declaring it is not her role to challenge the validity or appropriateness of public health orders.

Court upholds government power to mandate vaccinations

The NSW Supreme Court has backed the State government's use of Public Health Orders to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for certain categories of workers, dismissing arguments that the directions compromised objectors' "right" to choose what they put in their bodies.

Employers ensnared in "appallingly difficult" vax question: Stewart

Employers are generally on "solid ground" in suspending or dismissing workers who refuse reasonable directions to be vaccinated to perform their jobs, but face a range of practical difficulties if they take such action, according to Adelaide University Professor of Law, Andrew Stewart.

PSA takes NSW harvest plan to umpire

The Public Service Association of NSW has lodged a dispute with the State IRC after the Perrottet Government announced a scheme under which 4500 public sector employees based in the regions will be offered five day's special paid leave if they sign up to help farmers bring in an expected record harvest.

Vax reaction excuses late dismissal claim: FWC

A Filipino worker who relied on her husband to lodge a general protections claim has won more time to file after the FWC accepted his second Pfizer vaccination put him out of action for two days, while the tribunal has granted an extension in another case due to a lawyer's miscounting.

Stand downs shifted COVID-19 economic risks to workers: Paper

The Fair Work Act's stand down provisions enabled employers to shift the pandemic's economic risks to employees, according to new analysis by IR law experts Anthony Forsyth and Andrew Stewart, who also say legal uncertainty about the provisions could imperil the stand down strategies used by companies such as Qantas as business gradually resumes.

Rapid FWC response crucial in COVID-19 survival strategy: Paper

Australia had less need than other countries to turn to legislation to provide short-term workplace flexibility in response to COVID-19 because of "swift" and "bold" yet self-restrained interventions by the FWC, according to new research.

BHP's vax mandate earns thumbs-down from union

BHP's announcement that its workforce will have to be vaccinated by the end of January has failed to win support from the miners' union, with a State leader championing the alternative of education and incentives while pointing out that the company is not the direct employer of most of its workers.