An academic found to have been unlawfully dismissed by James Cook University over criticisms of prominent climate research has been awarded more than $1.2 million, the presiding judge excoriating the institution over its "egregious abuse of power" and public statements intended to "sow doubt" about his findings.
Two excavator operators who allegedly belittled trainees with "foul tirades" that left them so shaken one walked off the job have won compensation, the FWC finding their dismissal was procedurally unfair.
A senior FWC member has cautioned companies against sending dismissal decisions "up the line" without revealing the final signatory's name, observing such opacity could influence whether the process is found to be fair.
The Federal Court has upheld a lawyer's dismissal after he strongly criticised clients of his firm in a newspaper opinion piece, the judge finding his contract "expressly" stipulated both parties could terminate the relationship without cause on three months' notice.
The FWC has upheld the dismissal of a BP technician who created and shared a Hitler parody video of the company's protracted bargaining with oil refinery workers, finding he depicted senior managers as Nazis and referenced details known only to those involved.
A "very bad" employer who used a website builder's alleged probationary period to sack her without warning must pay $20,000 in compensation, the WA IRC has found.
A national regulator is needed to enforce equal opportunity laws and "wave a big stick" at employers failing to address workplace discrimination, a new report recommends.
A former Rotary International executive has been awarded $205,000 after a court found his supervisor "set [him] up to fail" a performance improvement plan.
The self-described former general manager of a "car solutions" company has been given another opportunity to pursue an adverse action claim after the Federal Court found a lower court judge denied him a procedurally fair hearing while also ordering he pay unsought legal costs.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of a sales assistant for serious misconduct that included s-xual harassment and threatening colleagues, while conceding the employer could have done a better job of responding to emerging signs of changes in his behaviour.
