More than half of employees in the Australian finance profession have had to take on extra tasks after staff cuts, but employers are failing to put in place countering work/life balance initiatives, a survey has found.
A rigorously applied anti-bullying strategy adhering to the "five pillars" of the risk management process is vital in eliminating workplace harassment and protecting employers from stress-related legal action, according to a HopgoodGanim Lawyers report.
Employers can quickly nip difficult and negative employee behaviour in the bud - while maintaining workplace harmony - by being "hard on the behaviour, but soft on the person", says New Zealand workplace consultant and psychologist, Dr Steven Saunders.
Employers should consider introducing a "moodometer" and resilience programs in an effort to combat employee depression - which is costing Australian business billions of dollars each year, according to best-selling author of Back from the Brink and depression sufferer Graeme Cowan.
Employers must be more vigilant than ever in developing and reinforcing anti-bullying policies in light of a significant spike in workplace bullying and harassment claims - many of them false, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers managing partner, Joydeep Hor.
Employers can minimise the development and aggravation of workplace mental illness and dramatically reduce their exposure to litigation by putting in place an employee assistance program and developing a clear anti-bullying policy, according to workplace lawyer Greg Robertson.
Helping an employee with depression to stay at work and remain productive benefits both the individual and the employer, according to Gabrielle Lis from Return to Work Matters.
The Federal Government has urged employers to consider 20 "simple and inexpensive" family friendly initiatives, in launching its new flexibility funding program.
Employers looking to implement workplace drug and alcohol testing must ensure that the process is completely transparent to avoid possible litigation - especially when it comes to sacking workers who test positive to prohibited substances, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers partner, Jamie Robinson.
