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172 articles are classified in All Articles > 2020 coronavirus pandemic > OHS



Pandemic a poor indicator of WFH productivity: HILDA

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in record numbers of people working from home, but the latest Hilda Survey suggests the period might not serve as a reliable indicator of productivity and job satisfaction levels for those who are not forced into it.

FWC member stands aside from hearing vax dispute

A FWC commissioner has recused himself from hearing a vax-hesitant university worker's dispute after accepting that views he expressed during unsuccessful conciliation raised doubts about his impartiality.

Compensation for youth worker sacked after vax reaction

A Victorian government youth justice worker sacked for not having further COVID-19 vaccination shots after reacting adversely to his first dose has won compensation, the FWC finding the department should have explored redeployment and reasonable adjustments.

Employer told to cough up for testing time

In a significant decision on the nature of work, the FWC has found that the nursing home at the centre of one of Queensland's deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks should have paid employees for the time spent taking rapid antigen tests before the start of their shifts.

Vax policy put pressure on workers: FWC

A senior FWC member has described a public transport agency's vaccination policy as "pressur[ing]" workers to "give up [the] fundamental right" to bodily integrity, before ordering it to pay five train drivers sidelined because of their non-compliance.

IR back in High Court spotlight

The High Court is poised to consider two significant IR matters next week, beginning with NSW unions' bid to overturn a State law restricting election campaign spending, followed by Qantas seeking special leave to challenge a finding that the airline unlawfully shunned a TWU in-house tender when it outsourced the work of 2000 ground-handlers.

Worker sacked over coronavirus jab gets day in court

The FWC has found that a worker sacked by the Ubuntu Church for obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination is an employee, clearing the way for her to pursue an unfair dismissal claim.

Tribunal spikes questions about Woolies' vax consultations

The FWC has endorsed the consultation process Woolworths used before it rolled-out a group-wide COVID-19 vaccination policy, rejecting a "most unusual" unfair dismissal case in which a worker's social media sprays clashed with his claims that the company left him in the dark.

Calling unvaxxed worker's rep "Mr" no basis for recusal: FWC

A senior FWC member has refused to recuse himself for addressing a worker's representative as "mister" in an unfair dismissal case that argued an employer should have permitted an unvaccinated employee to keep working from home during COVID-19 restrictions instead of sacking her.