HR practitioners and managers who are alert to signals of "silence and violence" can take early preventative steps to stop workplace issues exploding, says Sydney Institute of Management managing director, Brian Taylor.
Leading cultural change demands strong focus, an unwavering determination and a willingness to be held accountable, says Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.
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.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.