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Conciliation
Last updated December 2023
This chapter explains how Fair Work Commission conciliations proceed and the common outcomes.
What is conciliation?
Definition: Conciliation
Conciliation occurs when parties in dispute meet to try to identify and settle the issues about which they disagree.
Conciliation occurs when parties in dispute meet to try to identify and settle the issues about which they disagree.
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) uses conciliation conferences to help resolve disputes between an employer and an employee (or employees).
The disputes are commonly relating to:
- unfair dismissal claims;
- general protections disputes;
- unlawful termination claims;
- flexible work arrangements;
- unpaid parental leave extensions;
- disputes referred to the FWC under a modern award clause;
- disputes relating to stand downs; or
- bargaining disputes.