Joining a union can be a significant step for workers, especially those in demanding roles such as correctional officers and emergency services personnel. Unions provide a collective voice, legal protection, and support that individual workers often cannot secure alone. In this article, I will explain why union membership benefits are essential and how they can improve your work life and overall well-being. The Importance of Union Membership Benefits Union membership benefits

Queensland prison officers work in demanding, high-risk environments where workplace issues can escalate quickly. A disciplinary letter, misconduct allegation, workplace investigation, performance process, bullying complaint or industrial dispute can place enormous pressure on an officer. That is why QPOA General Membership is designed to provide practical, accessible employment advocacy support before the problem becomes a crisis. QPOA General Membership: Don’t Wait Until Yo

When Is a Resignation Really a Dismissal? FWC Rejects “Forced Resignation” Claim Against Australia Post

Charlou Albores v The Trustee for NHM Unit Trust [2026] FWC 3520

Semenikow v Express Freighters Australia [2026] FWCFB 229

There is an old principle in worker advocacy that remains as relevant today as ever: One employee has a problem. One hundred employees have an issue. One thousand organised employees have a voice. That is what QPOA intends to build. We do not want prison officers sitting at home individually trying to decipher years of payroll records while wondering whether everyone else is experiencing the same problem. We want to identify the patterns. We want to understand the scale. We w

First Nations people advocating for First Nations people MYUNION is proud to introduce the First Nations Union (FNU) Subscription — a dedicated advocacy initiative providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across employment, discrimination and broader human rights matters. The First Nations Union initiative is 100% Indigenous owned, as is MYUNION. It has been established in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation

MYUNION: A Different Kind of Worker Representation

A 1940 High Court Case With a 2026 Workplace Message: Adelaide Chemical & Fertilizer Co Ltd v Carlyle

Negligent Workers Compensation Settlement Advice: What Osei v P K Simpson Pty Ltd Means for Injured Workers When an injured worker is advised to settle a workers compensation dispute, the decision can permanently affect weekly payments, treatment expenses and future financial security. A settlement may appear attractive because it provides certainty and ends a stressful dispute. But certainty is only valuable when the worker understands precisely what is being received, what

Victorian WorkCover After 52 Weeks: What Happens When Your Employer Stops Suitable Duties?

Fair Work Act 2009 – What Has Changed in 2026 and What Is Still to Come?

Losing your job can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. In the hours and days that follow, it's completely natural to feel angry, shocked, disappointed or even overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this is also the time when many employees unknowingly make mistakes that can seriously weaken an otherwise strong unfair dismissal claim. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can give anyone who has just been dismissed is simple: get the right advice as early as pos

Dismissed From Your Job? Don't Panic – Here's What You Should Do First

# Understanding Your Rights After Resignation: A Guide for Workers By MYUNION – Employment & Human Rights Advocates One of the most common misconceptions we hear is: “I resigned, so I don’t have any rights anymore.” That simply isn’t true. While resigning voluntarily usually ends the employment relationship, what an employer does after receiving a resignation can still have significant legal consequences under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Understanding Your Rights After Resi

Why Union Membership Has Declined and New Advocacy Models Are Emerging

Does Simply Marking a Letter “Without Prejudice” Make It Confidential?

Can You Take a "Senior Gap Year" From Work? Understanding Extended Leave Without Pay in Australia

By Brian AJ Newman Employment and Human Rights Advocate MYUNION Every Worker in Australia Has Workplace Rights Every year, thousands of temporary visa holders, sponsored workers, working holiday makers, international students and seasonal workers come to Australia believing they have little choice but to accept poor treatment from their employer. Many are told: "If you complain, we'll cancel your sponsorship." "There are plenty of people who'll take your job." "Immigration wo

Procedural fairness (also known as natural justice) is the legal principle that decisions affecting a person's rights, reputation or employment should only be made after a fair process. Although procedural fairness obligations differ depending upon the employment relationship, industrial instrument, legislation and the employer involved, the core principles remain remarkably consistent. A procedurally fair investigation seeks to answer one simple question: Has the employee be