Damages awarded to a senior executive who was belatedly accused of misconduct should send a strong message to employers about the need for consistency when terminating staff - especially when the stakes are high, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers chief operating officer Emma Pritchard.
A full bench of the Federal Court has upheld a two-year restraint as "reasonable", saying the non-solicitation provisions in an executive's contract did not offer enough protection for his former employer.
Drug and alcohol addiction is like "any other health condition" and employees should be given opportunities to seek treatment and improve their job performance rather than have their employment terminated, psychologist Cameron Brown says.
With the introduction of new gender equality legislation imminent, a workplace lawyer has warned employers to ensure they are "walking the talk" in terms of providing equal remuneration and access to flexible work arrangements.
In "tough-stuff conversations" managers should be clear in their communication, clear in their intent, and get to the point by using direct language, say authors Darren Hill, Alison Hill and Dr Sean Richardson.
Industrial tribunals have responded well to the challenges posed by social media misconduct, and employers shouldn't be afraid to take action in appropriate cases, says barrister Elizabeth Raper.
An unfair dismissal ruling that compensated a worker for childcare expenses incurred while she was unemployed could lead to similar claims, lawyers warn.
More certainty around public holiday penalty rates, harmonised long-service leave provisions, and broader rights to request flexible work are among the recommendations of the Fair Work Act review's report. In this article, review panellist Ron McCallum outlines some of the key proposals that - if enacted - are likely to impact on employers.
