Archived News for Human Resource Professionals

Coles has been ordered to refund more than $12 million to its food and grocery suppliers, after the ACCC found they were forced to pay extra to join the Coles supply chain.

Research shows harassment's many forms

A new study has found that more than one in ten complaints of sexual harassment at work are reported by men.

Fake penises give drug-testers the willies

Prosthetic penises and fake urine are among new tools that are helping miners to pass site drug screening.

China deal sees skills needs scrapped

Chinese tradies will not have to undergo the usual skills tests to work in Australia under a “side” deal in the new Australia-China free-trade agreement, unions claim.

Cross-sector roundtable wants real climate moves

An odd coupling of business, union, environmental, investor and welfare groups has come together to push for action on climate change.

Goodwill not enough, Brandis to force ISPs

Attorney-General George Brandis is seeking tough new requirements for Australian telcos.

Big strike could hurt border plan

The Community and Public Sector Union gave a roundup of strike action so far, and threats of more to come, at a half-day strike meeting in Canberra last week.

TPP still coming, still criticised

There are strong signs that the Federal Government will soon commit to the controversial 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, despite concerns it could be signing away its freedom.

Inequality study shows gaps in city life

Figures show people living in low socioeconomic areas in Australian capital cities are almost twice as likely to die prematurely and almost five times more likely to be receiving unemployment benefits than people living in the most advantaged area.

Probe spots empathy in the brain

Research has revealed physical differences in the brains of people who respond emotionally to others’ feelings, compared to those who respond more rationally.

Twitter study plots leaders' leanings

A study of over 50,000 Twitter posts has shown where Australian politicians ‘really’ sit on the left-right divide.

Smart chairs and talking sofas for proactive OHS

Australian researchers want to ease the burden of back pain with their new invention – the smart chair.

Google to set up revenge porn counter-attack

Google says it will remove sexually explicit images of people posted without their consent from their search results.

Government bails on post-baby program

The Federal Government will not extend a funding agreement with states and territories that funds care for women with perinatal depression.

Robot workers put jobs at risk

A new report says technology will make 5 million Australians redundant in the next 15 years.

Shorten shoves date forward to face broad claims

Labor leader Bill Shorten wants to fast-track giving evidence on his action at the Australian Workers Union (AWU), while Prime Minister Tony Abbott seizes the chance to criticise.

Cash Converters agree to partial pay-back

Two class action lawsuits against Cash Converters have been settled out of court, which will see partial refunds of thousands of customers who were charged up to 633 per cent interest on loans.

Big business joins Black Dog to boost rural service

A major rural employer has partnered with the Black Dog Institute to bring better mental health services to remote parts of WA.

Income gap hurts GDP, IMF says

The gap between rich and poor in advanced economies is now at its highest level in decades.

SA seeks legal review to spot LGBTIQ disadvantage

University researchers are looking at discrimination in South Australia’s laws, on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or intersex status.