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.
"Naming and shaming" would be more effective than quotas in redressing the gender imbalance against women in senior leadership roles, according to former Apple managing director, Di Ryall.
The Australian Services Union hopes to raise the pay of community services workers by up to 30 per cent, in Fair Work Australia's first pay-equity test case.
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.
