A recent Federal Circuit Court of Australia ruling that cost a company nearly $350,000 indicates just how vigilant the Fair Work Ombudsman will be in pursuing breaches of foreign worker laws, warn lawyers from Holding Redlich.
Anti-bullying material released by the Fair Work Commission provides much-needed clarity around the new laws, and what is considered bullying and reasonable management action, says employment lawyer Lesley Maclou.
HR departments too often fail to take a risk-management approach to decisions affecting people, exposing themselves to potential liability under the model work health and safety laws, according to safety and employment lawyer Fiona Austin.
A High Court ruling that a worker's sex-related injury did not occur "in the course of employment" is good news for employers, but not great comfort in the lead-up to the silly season, according to employment lawyers.
Every HR professional should understand the key terms in employment contracts, when to review and vary them, and how contracts interact with legislation, industrial instruments and workplace policies. Watch this webcast to ensure you're across these areas.
As the Fair Work Commission's anti-bullying regime starts to take shape, an industrial barrister has compiled a list of 13 issues employers should consider when preparing to defend a claim.
Confusion about how long an organisation should retain a sick or injured employee who's unable to work could be stopping many employers from lawfully terminating absent staff, according to lawyers from Hicksons' workplace relations group.
Smartphone technology has made it relatively easy for employees to secretly record disciplinary or performance conversations, says Ashurst Australia partner Marie-Claire Foley, who warns that unlawfully obtained evidence can be admissible in court.
HR professionals who encounter suspicious medical certificates are entitled to question them, but "you should be very sure of your facts before putting allegations to employees", according to Workplace Law managing director Athena Koelmeyer.
