A high proportion of the 66 bullying claims made so far have been against supervisors, and many could be thwarted by the Fair Work Act's "reasonable management action" exemption, according to a Fair Work Commissioner.
The FWC's HSU investigations and litigation have cost more than $2.5 million so far, with a further bill of up to $150,000 likely from current Federal Court proceedings against former national secretary Craig Thomson, a Senate committee has heard.
The Abbott Government has presented its first tranche of changes to the Fair Work Act to Parliament today, including proposals to free up greenfields impasses, expand the subject matter of IFAs, wind back the ALP's right of entry changes and require bargaining before protected action.
A Fair Work Commission full bench reserved its decision this morning on whether the tribunal can take account of conduct before the bullying laws began operation on January 1, when making orders under the new regime.
The Federal Government is urging the Fair Work Commission not to be "distracted by" the former Labor Government's broader pay equity principles when assessing an equal remuneration application for childcare workers.
A senior Fair Work Commission full bench will tomorrow hear argument on whether the tribunal can take account of bullying incidents that occurred before this year when it considers making orders under the new jurisdiction.
Retail and hospitality workers who are sexually harassed by customers at work might not feel they are able to report and deal with the abuse, according to university research.
The FWC has ordered the United Firefighters' Union to comply with good faith bargaining obligations in its negotiations with Victoria's Country Fire Authority, while the union has lodged an appeal against the Federal Court's ruling that clauses requiring the CFA to employ additional firefighters and conduct recruitment are unconstitutional.
Fair Work Commission general manager Bernadette O'Neill will seek civil penalties against the Musicians' Union and one of its officials for 118 alleged breaches of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act.
