Industrial relations, disputes & unions | Page 45 (568 items)

The dispute between Qantas and unions that led to the grounding of its fleet in 2011 has only been resolved "in theory", and is evidence that Australia's industrial relations system is ineffective and out-dated, says Macquarie University professor Paul Gollan.

Do you know how to obtain an honest, reliable account from a complainant after a workplace incident? Watch this webcast to learn which steps to take.



The presentation, by WISE Workplace founder and expert interviewer Harriet Stacey, covers:

• the aim of the complainant interview;
• the nature of incidents reported by complainants;
• the role of memory;
• cognitive interviewing strategies;
• applying the PEACE model to complainant interviews; and
• recording interviews.

In the event of an unfair dismissal claim from an injured worker, a solid paper trail is a critical element of an employer's defence, says Mills Oakley lawyer Luke Connolly - but when it comes to constructing one, many don't know where to start.

Engaging contingent labour purely to save costs is fraught with risks, so employers should ensure they use contractors for the "right" reasons, and take adequate steps to protect themselves against claims, says employment lawyer Nick Duggal.

The High Court's Barclay ruling should "put employers' minds at ease" about their ability to successfully defend an adverse action claim, say Kemp Strang employment lawyers.



In this podcast, Lisa Berton and Nick Noonan discuss the importance of the case; its practical implications; and the key steps employers should take to minimise the risk of facing or losing an adverse action claim.

In a judgment that will be welcomed by employers, the High Court has ruled that an employer did not breach the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions when it took disciplinary action against a union representative.

Assessing employees for redundancy on the basis of "subjective" selection criteria requires extra care to avoid adverse action and other claims, warns Freehills senior associate Natalie Spark.

If your organisation needed to make redundancies, would the process be smooth, dispute-free, and minimise the impact on employees?



In this presentation, Freehills senior associate Natalie Spark covers:

• genuine redundancy criteria;
• employee entitlements;
• consultation and redeployment obligations;
• unfair dismissal, discrimination and adverse action risks;
• how to develop selection criteria; and more.

An unfair dismissal ruling that compensated a worker for childcare expenses incurred while she was unemployed could lead to similar claims, lawyers warn.

Upcoming changes to NSW's workers' compensation laws will possibly give rise to a new form of industrial dispute, an employment lawyer has confirmed to HR Daily.