Read up on the latest news from McDonald Murholme, including case updates and legal commentary.
The recent awarding of $1.2 million to former James Cook University professor Peter Ridd shows that law firms must engage in “exhaustive consultation” with employees about the issues warranting dismissal. Speaking in the wake of Professor Ridd being awarded $1.2 million in damages from JCU following his successful unfair dismissal case, McDonald Murholme managing director
FWO said Uber drivers were not employees, could the outcome of this court case change things? A former Deliveroo rider is taking the food delivery service company to court with allegations that he was underpaid. The outcome of this case will prove interesting considering the Fair Work Ombudsman’s earlier decision that Uber drivers are not classified as ‘employees’.
An employment law firm has highlighted the difficulties in a new matter involving the gig economy – this time concerning a former Deliveroo driver who has taken the company to court. McDonald Murholme has weighed in on former Deliveroo driver Jeremy Rhind taking legal action against the food delivery service company over allegations he was
An argument of how the word ‘day’ should be interpreted means organisations across Australia have to rethink entitlements. If you’re in HR and you deal with shift workers, last week’s Federal Court ruling might have you re-configuring the payroll. The case was between two workers at Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory in Claremont, Tasmania, and Cadbury’s parent
With pregnant women and new parents continuing to be discriminated against at work, we wanted to share a reminder on our legal rights, thanks to employment lawyer Alexandra Targett, from McDonald Murholme Solicitors. Juggling work and parental responsibilities as a first time parent can be both challenging and rewarding, but it’s also a time when
One of the nation’s most respected swimming clubs is embroiled in a bitter legal stoush with a former coach, amid allegations of underpayment, bullying and inappropriate comments towards young athletes. Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club has produced a string of Olympic champions, including Mack Horton, Giaan Rooney and Michael Klim, but is now accused of underpaying its
As the superannuation guarantee increase is debated among politicians and the wider public, McDonald Murholme has voiced concern for the youngest Australian earners. The Abbott government froze the superannuation guarantee at 9.5 per cent during the 2014 term, but under current legislation this will rise to 10 per cent in July 2021 before rising by
The federal government will move ahead with plans to criminalise serious worker exploitation within the “next month or so”, as argument rages on about how to deal with Australia’s wage theft crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday confirmed Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter is drafting legislation which would criminalise worker exploitation, amid a push for
he Fair Work Act has proved “functional and effective”, and should be celebrated by both sides of politics, argues one firm leader. Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, McDonald Murholme managing director Alan McDonald (pictured) said the legislation, introduced in 2009, has “survived many prime ministers, parliaments and pressure groups”. “There has perhaps not been a post-war
The $7.8 million underpayment scandal engulfing celebrity chef George Calombaris is symptomatic of the sheer complexity of Australia’s workplace laws, it has been claimed. But a workplace lawyer has called for even tougher financial penalties to stamp out wage underpayments. Ben Thompson, the co-founder and CEO of people management platform Employment Hero, applauded the Fair
Australian workers on the minimum wage now have more purchasing powers than any other country in the world, according to new 2018 OECD figures, but a law firm says it is not all good news. According to McDonald Murholme, while this appears to be a positive move for low-income earners, the increase in other factors
A Melbourne-based employment lawyer says plans to safeguard religious freedom through the introduction of new laws have the potential to alienate minority groups should these laws come into effect. McDonald Murholme managing director Alan McDonald says Attorney-General Christian Porter’s plans to introduce a religious freedom act will create challenges within Australian businesses, noting that such
Australian workers on the minimum wage now have more purchasing powers than any other country in the world, according to new 2018 OECD figures, but one firm says it is not all good news. However, according to McDonald Murholme, while this appears to be a positive move for low-income earners, the increase in other factors
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Australia now has the world’s highest minimum wage. While this appears to be a positive step for low income Australian workers the increase in other factors such as taxes and the cost of living means that they do not reap the benefits of a higher minimum
If you’re starting a new job, there’s a good chance your employer will put you on a probationary period to make sure you’re the right fit for the role. Probation can also be a great way for you to test out a new role while establishing yourself as a valuable employee—but it’s important that you know about
The drawing of an inference of a conflict between the views of a Rugby Australia sponsor and those of one of the sporting body’s employees means there could be penalties imposed on Qantas under the Fair Work Act, argues one senior employment lawyer. In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, McDonald Murholme managing director Alan McDonald (pictured) said
Rugby Australia sponsors could face fines if a court finds they influenced the decision to sack Israel Folau, employment lawyer Alan McDonald says. Speaking to Sky News host Andrew Bolt, Mr McDonald says the Fair Work Act does not want external parties entering contracts of employment and taking away someone’s job. Mr McDonald says the
In the wake of a Fair Work Ombudsman decision that Uber drivers are contractors, the gig economy is being scrutinised. Following a two-year investigation into whether Uber Australia is engaged in “sham contracting’ arrangements with its drivers, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) made the contentious decision that Uber drivers are not classified as employees. The decision will
McDonald Murholme has been nominated for Workplace Relations and Employment Team of the Year and Business Development Professional of the Year! See article below: Lawyers Weekly, in partnership with UNSW Law, is pleased to announce that finalists have been selected for this year’s Australian Law Awards. The 19th annual Australian Law Awards (ALAs) will be held on 9
An employment law firm managing director has sounded the alarm on what’s being described as a recent spate of wage theft, with small businesses, particularly those in regional areas, being found guilty of underpaying their employees. McDonald Murholme managing director Alan McDonald said recent audits in regional areas such as Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat and Wollongong have indicated a significant amount
