A worker who initially refrained from reporting s-xual harassment, due to an executive's insensitive remarks, has been awarded nearly half a million dollars in damages from a contractor.
Even with the best of intentions, HR managers often escalate workplace conflict, but with the right approach they can be incredibly effective at minimising or even preventing it, according to Mindful Mediation founder Caryn Cridland.
The actions HR professionals take in response to employee grievances can have a huge impact on preventing and minimising workplace conflict. Here are 14 ways to de-escalate complaints.
In taking steps to minimise Christmas-related risks, employers should bear in mind it's often clients, not staff, who create the biggest headaches for HR, an employment lawyer warns.
Since legislative amendments took effect in August, every complaint and enquiry to the Human Rights Commission about s-xual orientation, gender identity and inters-x status has been related to employment, so it's clear that employers have some work to do, according to Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs.
A well planned and executed downsizing can result in change that is soon forgotten, but if things are managed badly, "people will talk about it for years", says Right Management's Bridget Beattie.
The combination of social media and a holiday atmosphere makes the festive season a particularly dangerous time of year for employers, warranting "extra care" on their part, says Holding Redlich special counsel Trent Taylor.
The model Work Health and Safety laws now in force in most Australian jurisdictions place new duties on HR professionals, exposing them to areas of personal liability and other risks that can't be ignored. Watch this webcast to understand:
The extent of WHS duties for HR professionals under the model Act;
Who the law considers an "officer" and what their responsibilities entail;
Areas where HR professionals and other senior staff face personal liability risks;
Steps HR professionals can take to ensure decisions that affect safety are defensible;
HR's role in meeting consultation requirements to employees and others; and
Particular issues in relation to psychological injury risks.
There are plenty of reasons to engage a worker as a contractor as opposed to an employee, but the fact that someone expresses a preference for being a contractor isn't one of them, says HR Business Direction's Melissa Fitzpatrick.
General protections claims are the fastest-growing category of applications in the Fair Work Commission, with reforms now underway to stem the tide. This webinar will discuss important developments in both procedural issues and case law.
