For managers, the office Christmas party is work - an opportunity to reinforce a culture of engagement - not time to let their hair down, says leadership expert Stephen Bell.
A worker can't be dismissed for bullying, intimidation and harassment without evidence to support the claim, but from an OHS perspective, suspicion alone should trigger an employer's duty of care obligations, says Norton Rose partner Barry Sherriff.
Employers must start grappling with "real issues" - including social media and out-of-hours conduct - if they want to avoid claims arising from employees' inappropriate behaviour, says workplace lawyer Joydeep Hor.
Cascading restraint-of-trade clauses have traditionally been difficult to enforce, but a recent judgment clarifies the circumstances in which employers can rely on them to protect their interests, says Lander & Rogers lawyers Mark Sullivan and Aaron Goonrey.
In the "post-DJs" era, employers that want to adequately manage their risk profile need to take a "Police-style" approach to sexual harassment, bullying and other inappropriate behaviour at work, says employment lawyer Joydeep Hor.
Managing workers on extended sick leave, or with long-term injuries, requires carefully balancing business needs against employees' rights, says employment lawyer Luke Connolly.
A recent survey of female scientists, engineers and managers has found workplace culture is compromising the effectiveness of HR policies, and preventing highly skilled workers from advancing their careers.
