Organisations need to take responsibility for bullying because its presence in a workplace signifies "systemic dysfunction", says psychologist Evelyn Field.
There are few legal risks linked to banning 'body art' at work, but employers should ensure policies are relevant to the workplace and consistently applied, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
Australia's "anti-dobbing" culture can obstruct efforts to eradicate workplace bullying and create a "huge problem" for employers, says general counsel for Harmers Workplace Lawyers, Greg Robertson.
It is the way managers deal with employee complaints - rather than the subject of the complaints - that can trigger workers to launch legal claims, according to Hicksons workplace relations practice manager, Brad Swebeck.
Employers should be aware of the potential for "back door" discrimination and other claims under the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions, say employment lawyers Lisa Berton and Nick Noonan.
The Federal Court has "set in stone" what constitutes procedural fairness, after finding a workplace investigation was flawed and lacking natural justice, according to Wise Workplace Investigations principal, Jo Kamira.
Fair Work Australia's first ruling on an adverse action claim sends a strong message to employers that they must "meticulously" document the reasons behind every decision that affects employees, says employment lawyer Lisa Berton.
Employers faced with the prolonged absence of a sick employee - and a "spider's web" of associated legal obligations - are often scared into making hasty decisions, or paralysed by indecision, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
Employers should maintain direct communication with employees during bargaining campaigns and be on the lookout for any "disconnect" between union and employee views, says Freehills partner and collective bargaining expert Chris Gardner.
Seven in ten managers who have received outplacement support are critical of the way the process was handled, and 90 per cent will be active detractors of their previous employer, according to a Macfarlan Lane outplacement report.
Workplace bullying complaints continue to pose significant challenges for employers, including where the behaviour doesn't meet the legal definition of bullying or the threshold to make a claim. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to understand key lessons from cases where bullying complaints interact with other claims and issues.
What constitutes "best practice" when managing neurodiversity at work is evolving all the time. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to learn how to embed neuroinclusive practices into HR programs and every stage of the employment lifecycle.
