A NSW employer that allegedly told a worker to "bear the consequences" of her "inconvenient" pregnancy, is facing fines of up to $231,000 following the launch of the Fair Work Ombudsman's first pregnancy discrimination case.
When employers are convinced that a worker's claim against them is totally without merit, they should consider defending themselves "as a matter of principle", says Minter Ellison partner Richard West.
HR managers could be found personally liable for bullying and harassment at work, under the national OHS framework, if they fail to take steps to prevent it, according to Hicksons Lawyers partner Brad Swebeck.
There are few legal risks linked to banning 'body art' at work, but employers should ensure policies are relevant to the workplace and consistently applied, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
Employers should be aware of the potential for "back door" discrimination and other claims under the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions, say employment lawyers Lisa Berton and Nick Noonan.
Fair Work Australia's first ruling on an adverse action claim sends a strong message to employers that they must "meticulously" document the reasons behind every decision that affects employees, says employment lawyer Lisa Berton.
The number of employers cited in the Federal Government's 2010 employer of choice for women list has dropped to 95, down from 111 last year and 99 in 2008.
Romantic relationships in the workplace can create a legal "minefield", but policies that are too prescriptive can offend employees, send the wrong message and weaken a company's competitive edge, says HR commentator Kate Southam.
Employers that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) workers enjoy greater employee commitment, says former High Court Justice Michael Kirby.
End-of-year celebrations have always been fraught with risk, but the proliferation of mobile devices adds "e-harassment" to the list of potential risks employers must address, according to lawyer Lisa Berton.
Some employers have successfully stepped up to the task of managing psychosocial safety, but in many other workplaces, initiatives are falling flat. Join us for an HR Daily webinar to understand what's holding back progress in this critical space and how to move forward.
