HR professionals should develop a strong business case, and frame internal discussions about diversity in terms of workforce sustainability and inclusion, to avoid them being perceived as "special treatment for a special group", according to a new report.
Most employers recognise the need to be aware of cultural idiosyncrasies when doing business in other countries; but when it comes to doing business with men and women, important differences are all too often overlooked, says neuroleadership expert Silvia Damiano.
Is your organisation making progress on gender equality? Is it measuring this progress systematically? A set of public guidelines and templates released last week will help businesses answer these questions and more, Chartered Secretaries Australia CEO Tim Sheehy told a launch in Sydney last week.
Many practical and legal risks can arise when employees work from home or remotely, and not just from ongoing formal arrangements, but also occasional and after-hours work. Watch this webcast to understand how to assess whether an employee has a right to work remotely; understand the legal and practical issues arising from remote work; and more.
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.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
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.
