NSW’s lowest paid workers were recently granted a $19 a week pay rise after the NSW Labor Council won its case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC)
NSW’s lowest paid workers were recently granted a $19 a week pay rise after the NSW Labor Council won its case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. The council argued that the decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to grant low paid workers governed by federal awards a $19 a week wage rise should also apply in NSW. NSW Labor Council secretary John Robertson said the NSW economy could easily absorb the national decision, but Employers First chief executive Garry Brack said the decision could lead to job losses in the long-term. The pay rise will start to flow to NSW’s 400,000 lowest paid workers within the next three months.
Workplace fatality no grounds for stress case
The Supreme Court of Tasmania recently ruled that an employee who claimed to have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of witnessing a workplace fatality failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove his case. The employee saw a director of his employer’s fall and suffer fatal injuries in 1995. After suffering an incapacitating arm injury himself later that year, the employee sued for negligence claiming the mental trauma he suffered as a result of witnessing the death was linked to his own accident. After listing to testimony from medical experts, the Court dismissed the case claiming that the employee’s own testimony was inconsistent and there was no direct link between the two events.
Song and dance over Virgin Blue’s recruitment process
Virgin Blue’s right to request a song and dance from applicants as part of its recruitment process was recently upheld in The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, after a group of mature age applicants complained of discrimination. Following assessments in which they were asked to sing and dance for flight attendant positions, 10 older applicants claimed the process indirectly and directly discriminated against mature age candidates and younger applicants would be able to meet the requirement more easily. However the Tribunal dismissed the case, pointing out that the ability to sing and dance is not dependent upon age and the fact that Virgin Blue actually rejected more candidates aged between 18 to 22 than it did those aged between 43 to 47.
AIRC strikes down power industry work bans
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) recently ordered an end to power industry work bans in Victoria, following a protracted dispute between unions and four power companies over pay claims. The Victorian Government asked the AIRC to intervene in negotiations after workers stalled the connection of power to new developments in the state. Unions are seeking a 4 per cent pay rise, a 36 hour week, and more apprentices in the industry, however the AIRC suspended the unions’ bargaining period for six weeks, effectively forcing workers to lift bans on live work and overtime. The Electrical Trades Union said the decision would only set back negotiations between the parties, while the government said it was a victory for common sense.
Danish IT company offers free internet porn
A Danish IT company recently offered its employees free subscriptions to internet pornography sites as an employee benefit. After examining internet usage among its staff, LL Media in Nordjylland introduced the idea in a bid to boost productivity. Company director Levi Nielsen has now blocked access to porn sites during work hours after it was discovered to be a popular pastime for staff, but instead offered them access to paid sites after work had been completed. Nielsen said porn is like a natural fringe benefit, akin to a free phone or company car, and believes it will make staff more relaxed and more efficient on the job.
Corporate health assessment clinics open at St. Vincent’s
Good Health Solutions recently launched two new corporate health assessment centres at St Vincent’s Hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne. Good Health Solutions provides workplace health programs which are aimed at addressing health risks which lead to preventable diseases such as heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes. Health assessments at the hospital are followed by a three-stage process which includes identifying health risks, changing bad habits through behaviour modification and professional guidance and monitoring improvements with a follow up assessment 12 to 24 months later.
