Employers should carefully monitor and manage how much discretionary sick leave they provide to employees following an injury or illness, according to employment lawyer Helen Donovan.
Take-up of the right to request flexible work is low, but the requests are generally granted without variation, according to a new Fair Work Commission report.
In the lead-up to July's superannuation changes, some employers face a "tough communication exercise" in explaining to employees that their base salary will drop, while others need to consider how they will fund the higher contributions, according to a reward specialist.
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.
Employee claims under the Fair Work Act are increasingly targeting individuals, so HR practitioners should ensure they help directors and officers to understand their potential liability, says employment lawyer Ben Gee.
Employers will need to be more vigilant about checking the visa status of their workers, with new legislation making it much easier for the government to prosecute non-compliant companies, according to an immigration law specialist.
Every HR and safety practitioner will potentially have to address drug and alcohol issues at work, but none should take action without a solid understanding of the legal landscape.
In this presentation, Luke Connolly and Allison Grant, from Mills Oakley Lawyers, explain:
When - and how - it is appropriate to conduct workplace drug tests;
How to respond to incidents of drug and alcohol use at work;
Drafting considerations for drug and alcohol policies; and
Legal risks arising from workplace drug and alcohol management.
Voluntary, certified compliance with the Australian Human Rights Commission's discrimination guidance or codes will provide employers a "complete defence" against discrimination claims, under changes announced to the national regime.
Amendments to the Fair Work Act proposed by Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten aim to ensure there are "cost consequences" for employees and lawyers who lodge unreasonable unfair dismissal claims.
Are your policies and practices covering workplace bullying and harassment clear, comprehensive, and easy to follow? Are they capable of protecting your organisation from these risks?
This webinar, presented by Ashurst lawyer Taboka Finn, explains:
How bullying and harassment definitions are evolving;
The potential impact of proposed laws in this area;
Ways to handle online, social media and out-of-hours behaviour;
OHS issues that HR professionals must be mindful of;
Considerations for your anti-bullying and harassment policies; and
Costly legal disputes continue to highlight the many risks employers face when managing, disciplining, or dismissing employees while they are absent, injured or incapacitated. Attend this webinar for an up-to-date review of the legal framework applying to workplace absenteeism, injury and incapacity, and lessons from recent case law.
