Employment

Workplace investigations involving unwitnessed, conflicting accounts are among the most difficult situations for an employer, but findings can still be made, despite the “common misconception” there is nothing to tip the balance, according to experts. 

Swinburne University has underpaid around 1,800 casual staff $2.85 million, the latest university to admit it failed to compensate workers fully.

Two law firms behind underpayments class actions against Kentucky Fried Chicken have dodged a contest to run the litigation, agreeing to join their cases alleging the fast food giant denied tens of thousands of workers rest breaks.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has hit back at an employment suit filed by a former senior associate, saying the decision to terminate her employment was “entirely unrelated” to complaints she made about a supervisor’s “repeated bullying”.

Rebel Sport owner Super Retail Group faces mounting legal troubles as the law firm representing whistleblowers in a $50 million case says more employees have come forward with allegations the company concealed a relationship between the CEO and the former head of HR.

The Fair Work Commission has found a farm worker was unfairly terminated for coming to work after a big night out, during which he consumed up to 15 drinks.

The owner of Rebel Sport is facing a $50 million lawsuit by two former employees who allege CEO Anthony Heraghty carried on a secret relationship with the retailer’s former chief human resources officer.

Woolworths has been fined $1.3 million by a magistrate after admitting it failed to pay long service leave entitlements to more than 1,000 employees.

A landmark $230 million settlement in an underpayments class action on behalf of junior doctors in NSW shows employment group proceedings are “viable and attractive” and may encourage more players to pursue representative cases on behalf of workers, according to class action experts.

Scyne Advisory has resolved its case seeking to bar a former partner from working for the professional services arm of Downer EDI, in a confidential settlement the firm said acknowledged the need to protect information and uphold restraints.