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Workplace Matters

Skilled trades are still in chronic shortage in WA.

Workplace MattersPremiumEmployers plead for rethink on skilled migration crackdown

Major employers are pleading for a rethink on skilled migration, saying they are struggling to scale mounting hurdles to fill dire workforce gaps.

Rebecca Le May

MinRes' Kwinana workshop

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MiningPremium
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Worker’s arm shredded in gruesome MinRes accident

The mining major has confirmed a ‘serious’ accident at its Kwinana workshop in which an employee is believed to have lost a hand.

Adrian Rauso

Lion group operations manager Carrie Watson said in her four years with the company, she had been trusted with leadership opportunities, supported to grow, and empowered to take on increasingly complex roles.

Gender equalityPremiumWomen still lag behind men in reaching leadership roles

Australian women still lag behind men in reaching leadership roles because they are expected to do a far-greater share of at-home work.

Cheyanne Enciso

Two older FIFO workers on Shell’s Prelude had been fighting for better swings.

EnergyPremiumFear of FIFO divorce cited in workers’ case for better hours

Two highly-paid FIFO workers’ fight for better flexible working arrangements — which they argued would allow them to spend more time with family and avoid a common divorce trend — has been rejected. 

Adrian Lowe

Around two-thirds of Australian women work outside the home in both full-time and part-time roles. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Workplace MattersPremiumWomen leaving management roles due to home demands

Australian women are less likely to stay in high-paid roles because of domestic expectations, despite entering them at the same rate as men.

Lucinda Garbutt-Young

Todd Retallack died when he fell through a roof at a Katanning work site.

worksafePremiumCompany charged over 2024 work site death of young man

A Great Southern construction business will face court later this month after being charged in relation to a 2024 incident where a young worker fell through a roof in Katanning and died. 

Melissa Sheil

SIAA hosted two events in Perth in August at Leeuwin Wealth’s West Perth office to help recruitment into the industry.

BusinessPremiumCapital rich WA struggling to attract new advice blood

WA dominates Australia’s listed market but is running short of advisers just as $3.2 trillion is poised to pass into women’s hands.

Ryan Johnson

Northern Star's Thunderbox mine.

MiningPremiumWA companies prosecuted over truckie’s cyanide death

A gold miner and a chemical supplier have been charged over a truck driver’s death two years ago from an alleged cyanide poisoning. 

Adrian Rauso

Fortescue is also facing a class action lawsuit centred on sexual harassment at the company’s Pilbara iron ore mines.

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MiningPremium
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Fortescue allegedly sidelines manager after exec stood down

Fortescue has suspended an executive at the centre of a sexual harassment investigation, days after defending its decision not to do so.

Adrian Rauso

The half-sick worker is an employee who is unfit to attend the workplace but fit enough to work from home. 

Workplace MattersPremiumToo sick for work but not too sick to work

In the past, an employee who could not attend the workplace was generally expected to take sick leave. Today, technology makes it possible for employees to remain productive without being physically present.

Gary Martin

Qantas is facing the prospect of industrial action on multiple fronts, with engineers who perform critical airworthiness assessments the latest to take their misgivings to the Fair Work Commission.

AviationPremiumQantas engineers behind jet safety may stop work over pay

Engineers who decide whether Qantas jets are safe to fly are considering protected industrial action after more than a year of failed wage negotiations.

Rebecca Le May

High school and university students have rallied to oppose Pauline Hanson's One Nation policies. (Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS)

Workplace MattersPremium'Hanson not welcome': students skip class for protests

Thousands of students have taken to the streets nationwide, ditching school to voice opposition to Pauline Hanson as plans are hatched for a second strike.

Eleanor Wilson and Nick Wilson

The 66-year-old worked for CHC Helicopters (Australia) from November 2002 until April this year, when the company said his contract had been “frustrated” by his inability to work due to terminal cancer.

Workplace MattersPremiumWA pilot with terminal cancer takes on employer over axing

A helicopter pilot with not long left to live is challenging his dismissal by a US-headquartered company, alleging he was axed to avoid a redundancy pay-out after more than two decades of service.

Rebecca Le May

BHP shiploading during strike.

MiningPremiumStrikes hit iron ore port but BHP plays down impact

Mining giant BHP has played down the impact of industrial action at WA’s crucial export hub in Port Hedland over the weekend as a make-or-break negotiation looms within days.

Matt Mckenzie

Mr Cook said conversations were ongoing with the Commonwealth over the issue on Friday.

EconomyPremiumWA has ‘most to lose’ from Federal migration shake-up

WA has the most to lose from the Federal Government’s overhaul of skilled migration numbers, industry leaders warn, adding pressure on Premier Roger Cook to work to excise the State from the plan.

Oliver Lane

Alliance, Qantas, Virgin and Skippers Fokker 100s at Perth Airport.

AviationPremiumFIFO operator to cut flying hours, staff after Qantas deal

Alliance Aviation will slash staff and flying hours after clinching an improved wet lease deal with Qantas, having labelling the previous arrangement ‘commercially unviable’.

Rebecca Le May

The planned pay package has been under negotiation for more than two years.

AviationPremiumQantas pilots back strike action as pay talks drag on

Qantas international pilots have voted in favour of potential strikes as part of years-long negotiations over pay and conditions.

Angus Whitley

The $2.8 billion Alkimos seawater desalination plant.

WaterPremiumHundreds set to walk off job at Water Corp over pay feud

Hundreds of workers at State Government-owned Water Corporation are set to strike next week as an ongoing pay dispute escalates.

Matt Mckenzie

Shemara Wikramanayake announced her retirement as chief executive officer of Macquarie Group last week.

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Workplace MattersPremium
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Gender equity efforts plateau, parity at least 75 years off

There are fears the global politics-driven pushback against diversity is spilling into Australia’s corporate world, causing female representation among top ranks to take a backward step.

Rebecca Le May

Moonlighting — taking on a second or third job alongside a main role — is rapidly becoming a normal feature of modern working life and is no longer being kept in the dark.

Workplace MattersPremiumHaving a second job is no longer a dirty secret

Moonlighting — taking on a second or third job alongside a main role — is rapidly becoming a normal feature of modern working life and is no longer being kept in the dark.

Gary Martin

Experts warn WA businesses could feel that pressure more acutely because local wages were already rising faster than in most States.

Small BusinessPremiumNation-leading wage rises hit WA businesses

WA small businesses are paying the equal-fastest wage rises in the country while hiring cools, just as higher minimum and award wages begin to hit payrolls.

Ryan Johnson

Greater transparency and accountability around AI are needed to protect workers, an expert warns. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Workplace MattersPremiumWorkers 'forced' to accept AI systems or leave jobs

The federal government's plans for AI are unrealistic and could put Australian workers at risk, including through unethical practices, an expert warns.

Lucinda Garbutt-Young

INPEX'S Ichthys LNG offshore facilities.

Oil & GasInpex slapped with warning over mercury pollution

Regulators have hit LNG exporter Inpex with a warning after a second toxic mercury incident at its operations off WA’s coast.

Matt Mckenzie & Ryan Johnson

ASIC had pursued Ms Pellew over her management of training business Ochre.

Corporate governancePremiumComo woman found guilty of Corporations Act breaches

A Perth woman has been convicted of four corporate offences after an investigation by ASIC into her management of a training business.

Matt Mckenzie