What to do when disputes happen in your workplace and how to ask us for help.
A dispute in the workplace is when one or more employers and employees:
- disagree about something
- cannot solve the problem together.
In workplaces the parties are usually:
- the employer
- the employees
- the registered organisations that represent them.
Problems with pay or conditions under an award or enterprise agreement are dealt with by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The roles of the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission
If you have questions about pay and entitlements or problems at work, there are two agencies in the Fair Work system who can help: the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission. While they sound similar, they’re separate government bodies with different roles. Watch our short video to find out more.
Common issues in the workplace
Some of the most common disputes and issues you can ask us to deal with.
Bullying
What workplace bullying is and isn't, and ways to stop it.
Sexual harassment
Most workers can apply to stop sexual harassment at work.
Discrimination
Different laws and organisations protect employees and workers.
Small business hub
Resources to help you access our services and manage your case.
Casual to permanent status
In some cases we can help with conversion issues.
Dispute about an award or agreement
What to do if you have a dispute about your terms and conditions.
Disputes about fixed term contracts
New limits on the use of fixed term contracts.
Flexible work and unpaid parental leave requests
Requests can be made for a range of reasons.
Disputes about general protections
Protected workplace rights for employees and businesses.
Right to disconnect disputes
Labour hire arrangement order disputes
Independent contractor disputes about unfair contract terms
Industrial action
Ballots, disputes and preventing unprotected strike action.
Collaborative Approaches Program
Build cooperative working relationships.
Jobkeeper disputes
We can still help with some jobkeeper (COVID-19) disputes.