How should the performance management process differ from managing misconduct? What are the top steps employers can take to minimise the risk of underperformance-related litigation? And how should employers "soften the blow" of dismissal? Here, an employment lawyer answers these questions and more.
Even when you are clearly justified in terminating an employee for poor performance, failing to do so properly can have major ramifications. Watch this webcast to minimise your legal risks when managing under-performance.
Fairfax Media's plan to move to performance-based pay among its workforce has the potential to increase its success as a company, but the effectiveness will depend on the details of how it works, says Jairus Ashworth, partner in Aon Hewitt's performance and reward practice.
In some of the key cases handed down in the anti-bullying jurisdiction so far, the Fair Work Commission has provided useful guidance on what constitutes "repeated unreasonable behaviour", but also raised concerns about the scope of orders it can make.
Employers must tread a fine line when personal problems affect a worker's performance - especially as some "personal" issues will trigger concrete obligations, says Minter Ellison senior associate Jordan Tilse.
Without procedural fairness, even the most seemingly justified disciplinary decisions can be challenged and overturned. Don't risk this happening after your next workplace investigation.
This webcast covers:
The three principles of procedural fairness;
The "evidence rule";
Practical case law lessons from past investigations; and more.
The United States' famous litigation culture has led employers there to become more innovative in handling workplace disputes, developing systems and practices Australian HR professionals can learn from, according to an IR academic.
In a case fought over the use of double standards, a commission has found the ultimate sacking of one employee was too harsh, because another had not been dismissed despite displaying arguably worse behaviour.
Employers are not expected to be "mind readers" about the workplace adjustments required by workers with disability, a tribunal has noted in dismissing a disability discrimination claim.
A worker accused of sleeping on the job has been awarded $15,500 after a court found her employer had not closely followed the three-strike disciplinary procedure of its enterprise agreement.
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.
