COVID-19 | Mandatory vaccination in the healthcare sector in Victoria

The Acting Chief Health Officer has issued updated directions making mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations a requirement for staff to work in healthcare facilities in Victoria (the Directions). Who do the Directions apply to? The Directions apply to ‘healthcare operators’, being those who own, control or operate a healthcare facility, whether public, private or denominational. A ‘healthcare […]

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COVID-19 | Public health orders and mandatory vaccinations in the workplace

In a widely reported decision handed down earlier this week, Jennifer Kimber v Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care [2021] FWCFB 6015, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has taken the opportunity to provide its views on the mandating of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations under public health orders and what requirements must be met […]

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Fair Work Commission gains powers to stop sexual harassment in the workplace

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has been given power to make stop orders in relation to sexual harassment in the workplace in line with recommendations from the Respect@Work Report (for a summary of those recommendations, see here). The new powers apply in relation to applications made after 10 November 2021, after a request from the […]

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COVID-19 | Navigating the vaccination minefield – what employers need to know

Revised as at 17 September 2021 Following our recent webinar, ‘Navigating the vaccination minefield – what employers need to know’, in this easy-to-download PDF we have put together a list of answers to some of the most commonly asked questions for employers navigating the COVID-19 vaccination minefield. This guide will serve as an essential tool […]

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COVID-19 | Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace – is it lawful?

While there have been many issues which employers have had to face during the COVID-19 pandemic, of late the issue which has received the most media coverage, and which has probably caused the most concern for employers, is the issue of whether an employer can mandate that its employees must receive COVID-19 vaccinations. We have […]

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The High Court provides more certainty around casual employees

The High Court has provided further certainty in determining whether an employee is a casual employee in handing down its much anticipated decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2021] HCA 23 (4 August 2021). However, because of reforms in this space earlier this year, the practical implications of the High Court’s decision in Rossato […]

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