Fair Work Vice-President Michael Lawler’s office has been inviting people to reject him hearing their cases. Mr Lawler’s associate has been sending an email advising parties in cases before him of the controversy surrounding his nine months of sick leave and his relationship with former union whistleblower Kathy Jackson. The email highlights the claims against the judge who oversees workplace disputes. “I have been asked to let you know this: Vice-President Lawler has been subject to extraordinary allegations against him in the Parliament which follow a series of newspaper articles also raising allegations,” the email says. “Do you object to Vice-President Lawler dealing with your matter?” Mr Lawler’s associate confirmed the emails. “For a short time he did instruct me to send these emails,” his associate said. “After consulting with three of his peers he came to the view the position was not warranted and no more contact to parties was made.”
October 26, 2015
Challenge Community Services has been presented with another by an ex-employee (Pine).
October 26, 2015
St Vincent De Paul Society wants to end its association with a staff member who is determined to stay (Lane).
October 26, 2015
The Department of Health and Human Services is in dispute with a staff member (Moore).
October 23, 2015
The West Australian Government has been unable to say where hundreds of jobs will be lost from the state’s public hospitals. The Government has declared the health system is overstaffed by “several hundred” employees.
October 23, 2015
The cost to taxpayers of the Fair Work Commission investigation into former Labor MP Craig Thomson and the Health Services Union has exceeded $4 million. Commission general manager Bernadette O’Neill told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Thursday $4,136,000 has been spent.
October 23, 2015
Fair Work Commission President Iain Ross says he was “profoundly disappointed” to learn that his Vice President Michael Lawler secretly recorded their phone conversations, and has suggested New South Wales Police should investigate.
October 23, 2015
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT – termination at initiative of employer – s.394 Fair Work Act 2009 – application for unfair dismissal remedy – applicant submitted dismissed unfairly at first meeting with respondent based on allegations of misconduct – respondent submitted applicant still employee on leave without pay – industrial relations consultant advised applicant not to attend further meetings with respondent – respondent sent correspondence stating applicant would be placed on leave without pay them attempted to reschedule further meetings – Commission found applicant’s employment terminated at first meeting – found applicant’s conduct warranted warning but not valid reason for dismissal – found applicant summarily dismissed – not afforded procedural fairness – dismissal harsh, unjust and unreasonable – compensation in lieu of reinstatement ordered – $26,825.10 subject to deduction for taxation in accordance with law and $2584.39 to superannuation fund. Golding v Menarock Aged Care Services (Templestowe) P/L t/a Salisbury House Private Nursing Home.
