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 ||

Family Friendly Policies: Is Europe Ahead Of The US?

Family friendly policies — is it true that they are rare in the US, but common in Europe?

Two more readers have different opinions:  one attorney touts the childcare services of one US company very highly, while a diversity specialist in the UK is less than enthusiastic about family friendly practices in Europe.

Curtiss Jameson, an attorney in the NYC area:

“I cannot comment directly on women not returning to employment after having a child, but I […]

By | December 29th, 2014 ||

United States: NLRB Issues Complaints Against McDonald’s as a Joint Employer, Threatening the Future of Operating Under a Franchise System

On December 19, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Office of the General Counsel issued 13 complaints that involve 78 charges against McDonald’s and several of its franchise operators, alleging that they violated the rights of individuals working at various McDonald’s restaurants around the country. Specifically, the complaints allege that McDonald’s and the franchisees took action against individuals for engaging in activities meant to improve their wages and working conditions over the past […]

By | December 29th, 2014 ||