United States: Mariah Carey May Be Singing The Blues: Sued for OT by Personal Assistant

People who employ domestic employees or personal assistants may forget that such employees are doing productive work when they are under the control and/or direction of the employer and if those work hours exceed forty in a week, overtime is owed. Mariah Carey may have forgotten that truism as she has been sued for overtime by her assistant.  The employee claims she is owed money for managing the singer’s domestic affairs and for services […]

By | December 30th, 2014 ||

Australia: CFMEU v BHP Coal – High Court upholds employer's right to terminate employee for breaching its code of conduct

In brief – Employee’s sacking not related to industrial activity or union views
The High Court has held that an employee was dismissed not for a reason which is prohibited by the Fair Work Act, but for violating a workplace conduct policy to treat colleagues with courtesy and respect.
Union claims that employee dismissed for participating in industrial activity
The case Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Coal Pty Ltd [2014] HCA 41 arose from […]

By | December 30th, 2014 ||

Australia: New WA Work Health & Safety Bill and OFSC dispenses with requirement for AS 4801 accreditation

Western Australian Government Releases Consultation Draft WHS Bill
The Western Australian (WA) Government has introduced its long awaited Work Health and Safety Bill 2014 (Bill) and is currently seeking public feedback on the draft legislation.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Lex McCulloch said that the Bill includes the core provisions of the model WHS Bill, but it has been refined to maintain the compliance burden at an acceptable level, “reduce red tape, and ensure it is in the […]

By | December 30th, 2014 ||