In a case that reinforces the importance of role clarity and training, a tribunal has awarded workers' compensation to a psychologically injured employee who was "overworked, undertrained and mishandled by her managers".
The Fair Work Commission has slammed an employer's investigation and dismissal of an employee for leaking "confidential HR information", describing the process as a "very regrettable display of incompetence".
Employers using any form of workplace surveillance must be mindful of the intersection between employment law, HR policy development, and workplace privacy and surveillance laws.
Bullying investigations often uncover new allegations in the course of interviewing respondents, so employers must ensure they take steps to avoid "scope creep", an experienced investigator warns.
Employers with training and policies on domestic violence must go a step further and address the workplace practices that perpetuate gender inequality, or remain part of the problem, warns an expert.
Employment contracts should include two specific clauses to help employers avoid the risks associated with managing ill and injured workers, according to an employment lawyer.
Costly legal disputes continue to highlight the many risks employers face when managing, disciplining, or dismissing employees while they are absent, injured or incapacitated. Attend this webinar for an up-to-date review of the legal framework applying to workplace absenteeism, injury and incapacity, and lessons from recent case law.
