Two recent bullying cases addressed by the Fair Work Commission highlight a need to understand the difference between bullying and “reasonable management actions.” In these two cases the FWC had to determine whether the actions alleged to be bullying actually amounted to bullying or were appropriate reasonable management actions. What is “bullying”? “Bullying” is when a person or group of people repeatedly behave unreasonably towards another worker or group of workers, and t

In many small businesses, directors are not only decision-makers but are also directly involved in day-to-day activities. This hands-on involvement brings unique advantages, but it also increases accountability under Work Health and Safety (WHS) law. Directors are recognised as “officers” of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and, as such, carry significant legal obligations. Their foremost responsibility is to ensure the business maintains an effective WHS

2025 so far has seen the courts in New South Wales handing down eight major convictions  involving forklift-related incidents. These cases involved both companies and sole traders and have resulted in substantial fines and public scrutiny.   A worker was fatally pinned by a 7-tonne forklift after alighting the forklift at an Electrical contracting site. The business was convicted and fined $150,000, with a project order imposed. A 43-year-old forklift operator was struck and