Employers are not expected to be "mind readers" about the workplace adjustments required by workers with disability, a tribunal has noted in dismissing a disability discrimination claim.
A worker accused of sleeping on the job has been awarded $15,500 after a court found her employer had not closely followed the three-strike disciplinary procedure of its enterprise agreement.
Data from the first quarter of the Fair Work Commission's anti-bullying regime underlines the importance of training managers and supervisors to minimise legal risks during performance management discussions, an employment lawyer says.
Employers are occasionally tempted to "get tricky" with the Fair Work Act's support person provisions, but a workplace lawyer warns that cutting corners in an attempt to expedite disciplinary matters can come back to bite them.
Engaging independent contractors used to be "relatively easy", but the contract clauses that previously protected organisations from contractor claims are not as defensible as they once were, according to Ashurst senior associate, Taboka Finn.
Casuals, contractors, labour hire and fixed-term employees can be a valuable asset to an organisation - or its biggest risk. Watch this webcast to understand which factors to consider when deciding to engage the various types of contingent workers; and more.
Confusion over how rewards are valued can create perceptions of unfairness and lead to disengagement, but employers can avoid these issues by adopting a clear and consistent approach, according to rewards expert Trevor Warden.
With an increasing number of executives disputing dismissal decisions via the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions, rigorous termination processes have never been more important, according to employment lawyer Murray Procter.
The Fair Work Commission has issued its first substantive orders under the new anti-bullying regime, limiting contact between two workers except in emergency circumstances.
Organisations with overseas ownership, and those that send employees to work in other countries, often get caught out by employment laws for failing to provide the correct entitlements, according to employment lawyer Rick Catanzariti.
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.
