Large numbers of workers continue to suffer from serious and sometimes debilitating symptoms from previous COVID-19 infections, highlighting the need to identify those most at risk and implement special return-to-work plans that are regularly reviewed and amended, according to occupational health experts.
The dismissal of a worker who wasn't fully vaccinated against COVID-19, because he suffered a severe reaction to his first dose, was valid and backed by safety considerations, but ultimately unfair, a commission has found in awarding him compensation.
Working during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic caused considerable distress to many workers, but some psychosocial working conditions actually improved, pointing to strategies employers can implement to help staff cope with high-stress situations, according to a longitudinal study.
Qantas has failed to block two of four WHS charges alleging it engaged in discriminatory conduct towards an elected health and safety representative for taking actions relating to the cleaning of planes arriving from a COVID-19 hot spot.
A worker who was exposed to racist slurs, profane language and aggressive behaviour from his superiors and co-workers has won his permanent impairment claim, despite his employer's argument his psych injury was caused by a reasonable performance appraisal.
A nurse who was initially charged with recklessly attending work when she had COVID-19 - an offence potentially attracting jail time - has been fined $25,000 for failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of people at her high-risk workplace.
The Fair Work Commission has affirmed that working safely, in a way that doesn't put fellow workers or the public at risk, is an inherent requirement of a job, in a dismissal case involving a former WorkSafe Victoria lawyer who breached vaccine rules.
