What steps can an employer take when a worker takes personal leave immediately after a performance management discussion? Can organisations ask employees with exhausted personal leave entitlements to see a doctor? Here, an employment lawyer answers these questions and more.
Anti-bullying material released by the Fair Work Commission provides much-needed clarity around the new laws, and what is considered bullying and reasonable management action, says employment lawyer Lesley Maclou.
HR departments too often fail to take a risk-management approach to decisions affecting people, exposing themselves to potential liability under the model work health and safety laws, according to safety and employment lawyer Fiona Austin.
In this 15-minute podcast, employment lawyer Kristin Duff (Ramsey) answers 13 questions from subscribers about employment contracts, in relation to probation periods, changes to remuneration packaging, terminating fixed-term contracts, employment offers and more.
Performance reviews and disciplinary processes that can withstand outside scrutiny will become even more critical when the Fair Work anti-bullying regime comes into force next year, according to DLA Piper partner Murray Procter.
The question of whether certain behaviours constitute bullying or are just the consequence of abrasive personalities is so problematic that employers should shift their focus to the prevention of both, says HR Business Direction's organisational psychologist Trish Cloete.
Organisations should draft employment contracts with enough flexibility to allow for circumstances to change without requiring employee sign-off every time, says an employment law specialist.
One of the best ways to uncover the truth about a workplace incident or allegation is to build a close rapport with the employees involved, according to undercover operations expert Dr David Craig.
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.