United States: How Does The "Cromnibus" Bill Impact Employers?

Update: On Saturday, December 13, 2014, the Senate approved the funding legislation in a bipartisan 56-40 vote.

In an eleventh-hour attempt to avoid a government shutdown, the House of Representatives narrowly approved in a 219-206 vote a measure that would fund the federal government through September 20, 2015, with the exception of funding for immigration enforcement, which receives shorter-term “continuing resolution” funding. The Senate is expected to do the same. Part continuing resolution and part […]

By | December 15th, 2014 ||

Australia: Are public servants responsible if a government contractor breaches work safety laws?

Key Points:

The punitive powers of the Federal Work Health and Safety Act 2011 may stretch very far.

The Commonwealth’s health and safety duties can extend to cover workers employed by private companies that the Government contracts to provide services. When considering that the vast array of contracted services includes construction, engineering and other inherently risky work, it is clear the Commonwealth’s potential liabilities have increased significantly – and, with them, the individual liability of some […]

By | December 14th, 2014 ||

Australia: Restricting employees' speech and political activities can be reasonable and lawful

If you want to restrict employees’ political activities or public comment, any restriction must be a reasonable and lawful direction.

The rise of social media has given employees a greater ability to share their views with the world on a range of matters, including grievances about their employment. This can sometimes even extend to purporting to represent their employer on matters of controversy.

Restrictions on political activities or public comment by employees might seem to be […]

By | December 14th, 2014 ||