Employers that want to avoid costly disputes over workplace issues should focus less on their formal grievance procedures and more on training managers to deal with conflict, says employee relations specialist Jonathan Hamberger.
When a workplace has a high level of interpersonal conflict, traditional mediation processes can fail - and sometimes make the situation worse, says academic Dr David Moore.
Bullied managers tend to "keep up appearances" rather than ask for help, so employers rarely identify when it is happening, says workplace investigator Harriet Stacey.
Many workplace policies make it hard for employers to investigate anonymous complaints, and should be redrafted, according to workplace investigator Lisa Klug.
Justice in Australian workplaces is heavily skewed toward the employer, with "the system" largely inaccessible to most workers, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers chair, Michael Harmer.
Workplace s*xual harassment litigation is increasingly following an "alarming formula" that HR professionals should be aware of, says PCS managing principal, Joydeep Hor.
If employers and their staff don't have a clear understanding of what bullying is, or can't distinguish it from other behaviours, they risk "playing host to the boy who cried wolf", warn bullying experts Dr Carlo Caponecchia and Dr Anne Wyatt.
An independent inquiry into an alleged bullying culture within WorkCover NSW has identified several "recurring issues" that all employers would do well to be mindful of.
What should you do when an employee wants to complain about bullying "off the record"? What is the role of a support person during investigations? Should you re-open an investigation when an employee provides fresh evidence? Lawyer Brad Petley answers these questions and more.
Understanding what is happening on the claimant's side will help employers make the right decisions when faced with a serious harassment complaint, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers chair, Michael Harmer.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
After years of legislative and regulatory changes, employers' key compliance challenges continue to shift and evolve. Attend this webinar to catch up on recent developments and their HR implications, preparing you and your organisation for what lies ahead.
