Employers have been promised a simpler enterprise-agreement approval process, but a lawyer is warning against any complacency while the reforms roll out.
The Fair Work Commission has dealt with a wide range of topics in unfair dismissal cases this year, from bullying, harassment and other misconduct, to health conditions and vaccinations, but some have "stuck out", employment lawyers say.
Employers don't have a positive obligation to make reasonable workplace adjustments for employees with mental health issues, but doing so can be a major help in defending discrimination or general protections claims later, a lawyer says.
Failing to show clear and objective evidence of the connection between employees' out-of-hours misconduct and the workplace is often where employers fall down when trying to defend claims, according to a lawyer.
Employees have increasingly optimistic expectations for remote and flexible work, so it's critical to understand what makes – and breaks – hybrid work success, a lawyer stresses.
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.
