Right to disconnect: Tony Burke defends “reasonable” out-of-hours contact as SMEs demand to see fine print
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke says it is reasonable for employers to email staff and enquire about shifts outside of working hours, as the debate about the 'right to disconnect' heats up.
$290,000 in fines for first sexual harassment conviction under VIC workplace safety laws
A Victorian boss and two related businesses have been fined a total of $290,000 in relation to sexual harassment in the workplace, marking the state's first conviction of its kind under workplace health and safety laws.
ATO exposes three common errors small businesses are making this tax-time
As small businesses complete their tax-time filings, the Australian Taxation Office has issued a quick and concise guide to the most common errors it is observing in SME lodgments.
“Bring on the fine”: Business leaders see red over Director ID application bugs
Australian business leaders say the mandatory Director ID sign-up process is deeply flawed, with technical bugs, difficulties accessing the myGov ID system, and overwhelmed customer service lines delaying applications.
Labor introduces legislation to ban unfair contracts for SMEs, heap $50 million penalties on anti-competitive businesses
Penalties of $50 million for companies found to have engaged in anti-competitive behaviour could soon be a reality, as the federal government tables legislation that could drastically increase the risks of breaching competition and consumer law.
“Deliberate and conscious”: Business fined $144,000 after misleading ombudsman over underpayment
A Victorian business that shortchanged workers has been handed a hefty penalty after the Court found it engaged in deliberate exploitation.
“Latent risk”: Businesses warned about employee backpay claims after ATO clarifies superannuation law
Businesses paying leave loading are being warned to check their books after the ATO clarified how superannuation applies.
Target and Baby Bunting fined less than $70,000 for selling “unsafe” baby strollers for years
Target and Baby Bunting have been slapped on the wrist by the ACCC for selling unsafe baby products, just a day after Rod Sims said he wanted big penalties.
Hairdresser who worked a 15-year-old apprentice on 50-hour weeks fined $77,000 after underpaying overtime
A hairdressing business has fallen into hot water with the FWO after failing to pay a 15-year-old worker proper overtime pay.
Businessman fined for sacking employee who contacted Fair Work: The dangers of adverse action
Businesses are being warned about the dangers of adverse action after a director was fined for sacking a worker that approached fair work with a complaint.
A Fair Work Ombudsman re-audit of rule-breaking employers finds 38% haven’t cleaned up their acts
The Fair Work Ombudsman said compliance is improving, but more than a third of rule breakers it put on notice didn't clean up their acts.
“Witch hunt”: Ugg boot maker claims ACCC sought to “bully” him over a $25,200 fine
Ugg boot manufacturer Ozwear Connection has been fined $25,200 over ACCC allegations it misrepresented its products as Australian-made.
