Intellectual property (IP) theft and fraud are rampant in the workplace, and can cost businesses millions of dollars in lost customers and eroded confidence, KordaMentha partner (forensic) Nigel Carson told a Kemp Strang briefing in Sydney last week.
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.
The surest way to assert ownership over intellectual property (IP) and confidential information created by or disclosed to employees is to include relevant express terms in employment contracts, according to Allens Arthur Robinson partner, David Yates.
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.
Employers should develop workplace surveillance policies to avoid the risk of breaching privacy legislation and copping heavy fines - whether they intend to monitor staff or not, according to Harmers Workplace Lawyers senior associate, Bronwyn Maynard.
An employer defrauded of more than $120,000 by a sales manager has successfully claimed damages from a recruitment company that failed to conduct adequate background checks.
Do you know which background checks are relevant to the roles you're recruiting? Screening specialist Peter Stackpole explains when each type of check is warranted.
Employers will need to carefully reconsider how they deal with personal employee information and other privacy issues if the Federal Government acts on the Australian Law Reform Commission's (ALRC's) privacy law recommendations.
Some employers have successfully stepped up to the task of managing psychosocial safety, but in many other workplaces, initiatives are falling flat. Join us for an HR Daily webinar to understand what's holding back progress in this critical space and how to move forward.