An increasing number of Australian employers recognise the business value of a diverse workforce, but most are implementing strategies that neglect a key cohort, says Australian Network on Disability CEO, Suzanne Colbert.
A US employer that refused to make assumptions about what people with disability can and can't do – and was willing to see them fail if it meant giving them a chance to succeed – has dramatically improved the diversity of its workforce and reaped unexpected benefits along the way.
Managing long-term absent employees requires a cautious and proactive approach, or employers risk facing claims involving the whole gamut of employment law.
Watch this webcast to understand how to:
manage prolonged absences from work;
identify the 'inherent requirements' of a position;
consider 'reasonable adjustments';
ensure compliance with the proposed amendments to Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws;
determine what material to provide in an independent medical assessment;
return employees to work on suitable duties; and
evaluate relevant legal risks before a termination of employment.
Voluntary, certified compliance with the Australian Human Rights Commission's discrimination guidance or codes will provide employers a "complete defence" against discrimination claims, under changes announced to the national regime.
Research into s*xual-orientation discrimination shows there are "very good reasons why the Australian corporate closet is still full", says an academic.
Understanding unconscious bias in the workplace - and taking steps to address it - can lead to more effective and adaptive decision-making, according to a new report from Melbourne Business School's Centre for Ethical Leadership.
What risks arise from "Googling" job applicants during a recruitment process? What questions can you ask about a candidate's medical history? Are you obliged to provide access to an employee's personnel file? Hicksons Lawyers partners Brad Swebeck and Sarah Jones answered these questions and more in our recent webinar.
The days of tolerating wolf-whistles in the workplace are over, but according to psychologist Dr Jennifer Loh, employers need to beware of a far more subtle - but equally destructive - form of discrimination.
In the event of an unfair dismissal claim from an injured worker, a solid paper trail is a critical element of an employer's defence, says Mills Oakley lawyer Luke Connolly - but when it comes to constructing one, many don't know where to start.
Workplace bullying complaints continue to pose significant challenges for employers, including where the behaviour doesn't meet the legal definition of bullying or the threshold to make a claim. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to understand key lessons from cases where bullying complaints interact with other claims and issues.
What constitutes "best practice" when managing neurodiversity at work is evolving all the time. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to learn how to embed neuroinclusive practices into HR programs and every stage of the employment lifecycle.
