On the couch
On the couch
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We have a very comfortable couch at Justitia, which is where we have our best discussions. This is what we’re talking about at the moment.
Sexual harassment: more work to be done
Sexual harassment has been in the spotlight more intensively than many of us can remember. A year ago, the New York Times and the New Yorker laid bare multiple accounts of alleged sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein of his staff and colleagues. No one could have predicted that a flood of 83 people would step […]
Unrepresented litigant to pay former employer’s costs
The Federal Circuit Court has ordered an unrepresented litigant pay $12,500 of his former employer’s legal costs, finding that although he did not run the case vexatiously, allegations unsupported by evidence rendered it “baseless and groundless”. Mr Somerville claimed AFS Security 24/7 Pty Ltd (trading as Armidale Fire & Safety) (AFS) took adverse action against […]
Justitia Spotlight – An interview with Joanna Betteridge
Interviewer: Ellie Kinahan, Legal Research Assistant — Ellie is a final year Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Science (Biology) student at Deakin University and currently works as a Legal Research Assistant. What roles have you worked in prior to coming to Justitia and how do you think it prepared you for a career in employment law? […]
School’s leader criticised for nepotism
The Victorian Ombudsman, Ms Deborah Glass, has finalised her investigation into the leadership of a former high school principal. The investigation was a result of three protected disclosure complaints referred to the office by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) under the Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic). Ms Glass tabled her damning report on 12 […]
Justitia Spotlight – An interview with Nicola Martin
Interviewer: Madeleine Jones, Legal Research Assistant – Madeleine is a recent law graduate, having come to law from a career in public health with a compliance focus. Madeleine worked as a Healthcare Consultant, then later with an international development organisation. It was this experience which piqued her interest in the study of law. She sought to […]
Chairman Breaches Bullying Laws
In a recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision (Application by Ms A) involving a “stop the bullying” application, the chair of a body corporate committee was found to have bullied Ms A, the co-director of a company that had been contracted to provide property management services. This case demonstrates how the reach of the Fair […]
Justitia Spotlight – An interview with Cathy Fitz Gibbon
Interviewer: Julia Sperac, Marketing/Legal Research Assistant – Julia is a penultimate-year Juris Doctor student at The University of Melbourne. Before studying law, she completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and currently works as a dual Marketing/Legal Research Assistant. How did you get started in law and employment law specifically? Starting from the beginning, I left school […]
Family and Domestic Violence Leave – A New Modern Award
As part of the Fair Work Commission’s four year review of modern awards, the Full Bench has determined that Australian employees covered by a modern award and experiencing family and domestic violence should be entitled to five days of unpaid leave. The Commission was satisfied that their decision was a “cautious and regulatory response to this […]
Reminder for employers about wage increases
As we come to the end of this financial year, we remind employers that some of you may very soon be required to increase wages for your employees. Are you one of those employers? Read on to consider whether this legal obligation affects you. If you are an employer who pays: • the minimum wage […]
Reflecting on the changing landscape of employment law – Gatehouse Legal interview with Justitia Managing Partner Sarah Rey
Recently Sarah sat down with Gatehouse Legal General Manager, Louise Hvala, to discuss the key challenges faced in employment law and measures to consider in adapting to changing times. Below are some topics we believe will be of interest to clients and those looking to foster a positive and healthy workplace for their staff. Staying out […]
