Annette Cornish Notes T3 2015 MLL 324 – Workplace Law

Annette Cornish Notes T3 2015 MLL 324 – Workplace Law

Table of Contents TOPIC 1: INTRODUCING WORKPLACE LAW ............................................................................................................. 5 SUMMARY OF KEY DATES .................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. WHAT IS DISTINCTIVE ABOUT THE FAIR WORK REGIME? ............................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. OTHER CHALLENGES TO BE FACED IN THE LABOUR LAW CONTEXT: .............................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WORK ARRANGEMENTS .................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. FWC ........................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Unions ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Federal Court & Federal Circuit Court ...................................................................................................................... 5 Fair Work Ombudsman ............................................................................................................................................ 5 INTUITIONAL SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................... 6 TOPIC 2: WHO IS AN EMPLOYEE? ......................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TERMINOLOGY .................................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. LEGISLATIVE DEFINITION ..................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. EMPLOYEE/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR DICHOTOMY: WHY IT IS IMPORTANT ............................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. HOW THE LEGAL TEST EVOLVED FROM CONTROL TO THE MULTIPLE FACTOR/INDICIA TEST ............... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Typical types of Factors: ............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. CASE EXAMPLES AND THE DIRECTION OF THE LAW TODAY ......................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. PARTIES LABELING THE RELATIONSHIP .................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SHAM ARRANGEMENTS ...................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TOPIC 3: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT ... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SOURCES OF RIGHTS AND DUTIES IN AN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP .......................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SOURCES OF LAW .............................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS .................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Contractual Terms ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Variation of terms ...................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duties of employees ................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duties of employers ................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Breach and Remedies ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. DUTY OF EMPLOYEES AT COMMON LAW ............................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. The Duty to Obey ....................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Cooperation/Proper conduct ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Skill and Care: ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Fidelity, Loyalty/Good Faith, Equitable Duty of Confidence .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Fidelity – Cases on Intellectual Property ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Fidelity – Duty of Confidentiality ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. IMPLIED DUTIES OF EMPLOYER ............................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Duty to pay wages – wages/work bargain ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty to provide a safe workplace .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty to provide work ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty of Mutual Trust and Confidence? ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. TOPIC 4 – EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS UNDER THE FWA ...................................................................................... 6 STRUCTURE OF EMPLOYMENT ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Definitions .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. WHAT IS THE EMPLOYMENT SAFETY NET? .............................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SUMMARY OF KEY PARTS OF THE FW ACT ............................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Who is covered? ......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. THE SAFETY NET – THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AND MODERN AWARDS ................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Difference between NES and Modern Award ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. NES STANDARDS PER THE FWA ........................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Maximum Working Hours .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Right to request flexible work arrangements ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Unpaid Parental Leave ............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Annual leave – ss 86-94 ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Personal/carer’s and compassionate leave – ss 95-107 ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Community service leave – ss 108-112 ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Public holidays – ss 114-116 ...................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Notice of termination – ss 117-118 ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Redundancy pay – ss 119-123 ................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Fair Work Information Sheet ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. CASUALS .......................................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. AWARDS .......................................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. MODERN AWARDS ............................................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Contracting out awards ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. CONTENT RULES ................................................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. When does modern award not apply? ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Permitted Content “May” s 139 ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Mandatory Content (ss 143-147) ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Prohibited Content (ss 150-155A) .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. TOPIC 5 – GENERAL PROTECTIONS: PART 3-1 FWA .............................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. GENERAL PROTECTIONS ...................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ADVERSE ACTION: S 342 .................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Key points of s 342 ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. REASON FOR THE ACTION AND REVERSE ONUS OF PROOF – SECTIONS 360, 361 ........................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. WHAT IS A WORKPLACE RIGHT? ........................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Summary – three major categories of protection (s 341) .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. When does the workplace right protection apply? – s 340 ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Complaint and/or Inquiries – s 341(1)(c)(ii) ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Making a complaint or inquiry ................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. ENGAGING IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES (FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION) – S346 AND 347 .................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. DISCRIMINATION PROTECTION – S 351 ................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. PROCEDURE, REMEDIES AND PENALTIES ................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SUMMARY FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS: ............................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TOPIC 6 – DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ..................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. COMMONWEALTH ACTS ..................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. VICTORIAN LAW – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT ........................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION - EOA S 6 ............................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Areas within which the attributes are prohibited EOA .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Employment Discrimination (EOA s 18) ................................................................................................................... 7 Defences Employer May Make .................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. EXCEPTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS ............................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Special Measures (s 12 EOA) ...................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. DUTIES ON EMPLOYERS ...................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. DISCRIMINATION ............................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Types of Discrimination ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Proving Discrimination ............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. SEXUAL HARASSMENT (EOA, S 92) ...................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. VICARIOUS LIABILITY (EOA, S 109) ...................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Vicarious Liability - Exception (EOA, s 110) ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. PROCESS OF COMPLAINT RESOLUTION – CTH & VIC ................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. REMEDIES (EOA, S 125) .................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TOPIC 7 – TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ......................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TWO LAYERS OF LAW ......................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TERMINATION WITHOUT BREACH ........................................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Notice ........................................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Withdrawal of Notice ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Frustration ................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Insolvency .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Transfer of Business ................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Redundancy ............................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. TERMINATION WITH BREACH .............................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Wrongful Dismissal at Common Law ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Common Law remedies for breach of employment contract ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Unfair Dismissal (FW Act, Part 3-2) ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. TOPIC 8A & 8B NOT EXAMINABLE ........................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. TOPIC 9 – WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY ....................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. KEY LEGISLATION ............................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Objects - OH&S Act (Vic) ............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. PRELIMINARIES ................................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. GENERAL DUTIES ON EMPLOYERS ......................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Nature of the s 21 duty .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Duty to consult ........................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Who is the duty owed to? .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Onus ........................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. OTHER DUTY HOLDERS ....................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Duty on manufacturers, suppliers, self-employed persons ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Duties on employees .................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. ENFORCEMENT ................................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Notices ....................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Penalties .................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Regulations and Compliance Codes ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Guidelines .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Criminal offences ....................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Other sentencing options ........................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. General criminal offences .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. WORKERS COMPENSATION ................................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Common Law ............................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Statutory workers compensation schemes ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Legislation .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. When is an injury compensable? ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Restrictions on compensation – significant contributing factor (SCF) ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Other restrictions – e.g. mental illness, self-inflicted injury ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. WORKPLACE BULLYING ....................................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Legislation .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Whom do the provisions apply to? ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. When can a worker apply? ........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Types of Behaviour .................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Employers Defence .................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. FWC Orders ................................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.



Topic 1: Introducing Workplace Law Every industrialised democracy has introduced laws that seek to protect workers in various ways. These laws ensure that employers comply with various minimum standards on issues such as remuneration, working hours and safety. The study of labour law in Australia is essentially about the legal regulation of the relationship between workers and employers. Workplace law attempts to regulate a balance between the conflicting interests of employers (managers) and employees and other workers such as contractors. Protective workplace laws primary forms: • Permitted collective action by workers to improve their conditions, notably through the formation of trade unions to represent them in bargaining with employers. • Directly imposed statutory obligations on employers o Minimum wage, safe workplace. There is a close relationship between politics and labour law. This is shown starkly by the Work Choices period in 2005 – 2007 (1.13). Key people at the FWC: President: • Gives directions to commission members & full benches about the hearing of matters • Conducts four-yearly reviews of modern awards • Annual wage reviews (ss 581, 582(2), (4)). • A General Manager of the commission is appointed to assist the President in ensuring that the FWC ‘performs its functions and exercises its powers’: s657. General Manager: • Manage the administrative functions of the commission; • Ensure that the institution complies with the financial accountability requirements (s 658(a)), and reviews developments and conducts research into matters related to making enterprise agreements, the use of individual flexibility arrangements, and the effect of wages and conditions of employment upon various disadvantaged groups: s 653(1), (2). • Prepare reports: function of the FWC & ongoing research: s 653(3)-(5). Unions Trade unions remain the most likely representative of employees in claims arising under the FWA, they can act as the ‘default’ bargaining representative under the bargaining provisions. Unions will typically represent employees during the bargaining process, and then seek to be covered by the agreement: s 183(1). Unions no longer have monopoly status as the representative of employees in the enterprise bargaining environment, but are still a core feature of the system. Federal Court & Federal Circuit Court FCA has the powers to hear prosecutions and to issue declarations and injunctions under the FWA: s 563(c),(d) & (e). It can also hear matters of appeal from the FCC and those cases where the President of the FWC refers a question of law arising before the commission for the opinion of the court: s 608. Neither the FCA, nor the FCC can assist in industrial disputes or the bargaining process, approve enterprise agreements or determine applications for increases in the minimum wage = FWC ONLY. • Note: Costs do not necessarily follow the event under the FWA. Per s 570(1) & (2), a party may only be awarded costs where proceedings have been instituted vexatiously and without reasonable cause, or else the court is satisfied that unreasonable acts or delay on the part of one party have caused the other to incur costs. The FCA hears appeals on questions of law from the industrial tribunal and enforces awards, agreements and the FWA. Fair Work Ombudsman The FWO has the dual function of: • Promoting the arrangements that exist under the FWA o Education o Advice o Best practice guides about the legislation

• Ensuring compliance with the act: s 682(1). The website describes the role as being: • To promote harmonious, productive and co-operative workplace relations; and • To ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws. The FWO may appoint inspectors to ensure that the requirements of the legislation are complied with: Ch 5, Pt 5-2, subdiv C. • Inspectors have broad powers to enter premises to inspect work or processes, to conduct interviews, and to require the production of documents.

Intuitional Summary •Assists parties in dispute resolution & EBA •Approves EBA •Conciliates adverse sections •Resolves unfair dismissal claims •Makes orders to stop industrial Action •Performs some arbitral functions

• Modern award reviews (4 yearly) • Minimum wages review (MWP)

FWC (single member)

FWC (Full Bench)

FCA/FCC

FWO

•Enforces Awards •Enforces enterprise agreements •Hears adverse Action Claims •FCC hears adverse action taken against individual on basis of workplace right or membership association •FCC hears claims of workplace discrimination

• • • •

Investigate breaches of legislation Make applications to FWC Refer matters to relevant authorities Education



Topic 4 – Employment Regulations under the FWA Structure of employment

Fair Work Act Modern Award

OR

Enterprise Agreement

National Employment Standards

Contract Example of discrimination of job applicants: Madafferi v City of Northcote (1993) EOC 92–512



The council refused to employ Madafferi as a casual homecare worker as he had a limp due to a hip injury in childhood. The refusal was based on the statistical probability, advised by the council’s doctor, that Mr Madafferi would be more likely to take time-off work or suffer compensable injury. The tribunal found direct discrimination on the grounds of impairment. The medical examination failed to take into account Madafferi’s actual circumstances, which showed he had taken little time off work in the past, had made no compensation claims and was an active sportsman, as well as being welltrained in his field. Madafferi was awarded $12 000 compensation. Employment Discrimination (EOA s 18) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT 2010 - s 18 - Discrimination against employees An employer must not discriminate against an employee— (a) By denying or limiting access by the employee to opportunities for promotion, transfer or training or to any other benefits connected with the employment; or (b) By dismissing the employee or otherwise terminating his or her employment; or (c) By denying the employee access to a guidance program, an apprenticeship training program or other occupational training or retraining program; or (d) By subjecting the employee to any other detriment. “Discrimination means direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of an attribute” (s 7(1)(a))

Was there a dismissal?

Is there an Exclusion?

Substanive Claim?



• s 385 FWA • (a) Person has been dismissed (s 386- i.e. Terminated or resigned); and • (b) Dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable (s 387); and • (c) Dismissal was not consistent with the Small Buisness Fair Dimissal Code (s 388)(s 23(1)) (Excemption); and • (d) Dismissal was not a case of genuine redundancy (s 389)

• Specifried Period s 382(a) • Specified Task • Seasonal Employee • Casual Employee • Demotion of position but no reduction of $$$ • Not covered by a Modern Award • Was it a 'Genuine operational reason'

• Was there a dismissal (s 385) • Was the dismissal harsh, unjust or unreasonable? (s 387)





Paff v Speed : during temporary illness or incapacity

CL duty to pay sick leave

Deduction cannot benefit employer

Consented to and authorised by employee

Deductions must be:

Deductions from wages not inline with statutory provisions = illegal : s 323-326

Consideration of the employment contract

Unlawful strike action

Partial performance of work

Cf employee refuses to obey lawful, reasonable instructions within scope of employment = Not obliged to pay

Fundamental Rule: Employee preformed work contracted to do = employer must pay agreed amount

Pay Wages (20)

CSJBWS v Nikolich

Will be covered if reasonably foreseeable

Koebler v Cerebros

Not generally covered

Safe from Psychiatric Injury?

Employees must take care of themselves

Must take all reasonable steps

Non-delegable duty

Safe Work Place (21)

Meaningful work that forms part of the contract

Returning to work after wrongful dismissal: Blackadder v Ramsey Butchering Services

Curro v Beyond Productions

Work must be fundamental to the job for court to recognise duty

Provide Work (21)

Common Law Implied duty on Employers

Empoyer must indemnify the employee for expenses that arise as a result of doing their job

Duty to Indemnify (22)

Held not to be Aust law

Duty of mutual trust and confidence (22)