An overly prescriptive approach to sickness absence can do more harm than good, according to occupational physician Dr Mary Wyatt, who says a pragmatic, common-sense approach is far more effective in reducing absenteeism.
Discrimination against people who smoke or are obese is an emerging issue in many workplaces, according to a new International Labour Organisation report, which says raising awareness is a key to driving change.
Employers should not only consider productivity issues, but also safety, when regulating mobile phone use in the workplace, says FCB partner Matthew Robinson.
According to a recent Australia Institute study, millions of workers "donate" unpaid overtime to their employers on a regular basis - but employees who work longer don't necessarily work harder, warns RMIT professor of employment relations Dr Sandra Jones.
Extensive, pre-prepared suitable-duties lists have helped a major Australian employer to dramatically reduce the amount of time it loses to injuries each year.
Managers and executives are twice as likely to exhibit symptoms of psychological distress - including anxiety, depression and personality disorders - than members of the general population, according to a recent AGSM Executive Programs survey.
How do you manage employees who have been injured outside of work? What happens when an employee refuses an independent medical assessment? When is it safe to terminate an ill or injured employee? Lawyer Luke Connolly answers these questions and more on this important topic.
Depression caused by job strain is costing employers hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but most interventions only address half of the problem, says Melbourne University associate professor Anthony LaMontagne.
Organisations should think twice before dismissing employees who are receiving workers' compensation - no matter how poor their performance, says Warwick Ryan, an employment partner at Swaab Attorneys.
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.
