The new JobKeeper legislation, which was passed by the Federal Government on 8 April 2020, confers an extraordinary amount of flexibility on employers to restructure their workforce during the coronavirus crisis. However, with these new opportunities for employers come a range of new risks. In this article, W+K EPL specalist Chris Mossman explains the issues […]
As workplaces continually evolve, so too do new risks and potential claims. Unfair dismissal, bullying and sexual harassment claims, statutory liability obligations of directors and managers, new whistleblower laws, and the potential impacts of the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment are just some of the emerging employment risks impacting insurers, brokers, underwriters and insureds in […]
On 6 April, the Fair Work Commission handed down its first substantive decision regarding the COVID-19 crisis in Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical & Services Union v Auscript Australia Pty Ltd. Its finding that Auscript had breached its consultation obligations is not good news for employers seeking to implement rapid changes to their workforce. In this article, W+K […]
The NZ economy has been severely hit by the impacts of the coronavirus, with many businesses now in lockdown. The Government has responded with a COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme to help businesses and affected workers in the short-term, as they adjust to the initial impact of COVID-19. For employers, the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme comes […]
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a significant and immediate impact on the entire workforce. Unfortunately, there are daily stories of mass redundancies, closures of businesses and stand down of workers. This guide provides practical advice for EPL insurers, insureds and brokers on how they can meet the insurance challenges created by the virus. W+K EPL […]
The Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020 (CERPO Bill) and recent ASIC statements have put focus on management liability issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis. The CERPO Bill provides some temporary relief for directors as they navigate the uncharted territory caused by COVID-19, particularly in addressing insolvency risk. In this update, Cain Jackson and […]
The significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt worldwide. For the insurance sector, the exposures created by the coronavirus are significant as an international event of this size and complexity carries a range of insurance risks, including first party and supply chain business interruption, event cancellation, travel and liability claims. Legalign Global’s alliance […]
On 3 March the NSW Court of Appeal overturned an award of $238,000 in damages arising from an allegedly defamatory email announcing an ex-employee’s termination in KSMC v Bowden. The decision provides a useful guide from the NSW Court of Appeal on the difficulties faced by a plaintiff in seeking to defeat a defence of common […]
Traditionally, multi-million dollar payouts in employment litigation were only awarded to executives of large corporates and high-profile public figures. With the evolution of the General Protections provisions in the Fair Work Act 1999, “average workers” are now regularly seeking – and winning – high levels of compensation and damages through adverse action claims. W+K’s EPL specialist […]
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – only the sixth time the WHO has made such a declaration. An international event of this size and complexity carries a range of insurance risks. While impacts on some lines of insurance remain […]
