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


Unvaxxed worker wins extension after solicitor's mea culpa

The FWC has commended a young solicitor's "candour" in admitting to having fumbled the unfair dismissal application of an unvaccinated foster care worker told her temporary WFH arrangement could not be sustained.

Inquiry seeks to maintain presumption of work-acquired COVID-19

A NSW Upper House inquiry has called for parliamentarians to reject legislation that would remove the presumption that workers in frontline industries who acquired COVID-19 did so at work, giving them speedy access to support through the workers compensation system.

Victoria rescinds COVID-19 WFH recommendation

Victoria's Andrews Labor Government will later this week remove its longstanding COVID-19 public health recommendation to work from home if possible, after a big drop in virus-related hospitalisations and a substantial rise in vaccination third-doses.

FWC refuses to extend time despite law firm's failure

The FWC has found a law firm's lack of competence and "grossly unprofessional" conduct primarily to blame for the late unfair dismissal claim of a worker who breached a vaccine mandate, but it has refused to grant a one-day extension due to her role in the delay.

Ross declines to refer vax "questions of law" to full bench

FWC President Iain Ross has refused to refer to a full bench "questions of law" from a health worker and a group of Virgin employees seeking declarations that it is illegal to threaten those breaching vaccine mandates with the sack and that a "non-covid injected person" is no risk.

Sacking upheld after questionable vax exemption

A worker who unsuccessfully sought to take long service leave after Bulla Dairy Foods rejected medical exemption evidence from a since-suspended doctor has failed to establish it unfairly sacked him for breaching a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

NSW looking to compensate nurses within cap

The Perrottet Government says it is looking at "some further recognition" of the work performed by NSW nurses and midwives without prompting other public sector wage claims above its 2.5% annual cap.

Legislated ban won't stop us: Unregistered unions

An unregistered "red union" said to be pursuing more than a thousand challenges to workplace vaccine mandates says it won't be stopped by a Queensland Government plan to ban unregistered associations from covering members under the State's IR laws.

Law student's challenge to COVID-19 sacking binned

The FWC has thrown out an unfair dismissal case brought by a law student sacked from a full-time job as a legal assistant for failing to get a COVID-19 jab, finding she did not complete the required minimum employment term after taking time off to sit exams.

Tribunal rejects challenge to BHP vax mandate

Mining unions have failed to convince a senior FWC member that BHP's vaccination mandate breaches the Privacy Act and that it would be reasonable to let workers confirm their inoculation status via the same check-in method they use to enter a pub.