Employers must ensure they understand the modern award system before it comes into effect in just nine months, according to workplace lawyer Shana Schreier-Joffe, who warns that the new Fair Work Australia regulator is likely to be vigilant in pursuing employers for non-compliance.
Employers should get ready to deal with trade union requests to disclose company information - and determine what they can keep confidential - before the first part of the Fair Work Act 2009 takes effect mid-year, says University of Adelaide Professor of Law, Andrew Stewart.
Of the 10 National Employment Standards the Federal Government aims to have commence next year, employers are most concerned by the least novel ones - those covering workplace flexibility and family responsibilities - new research shows.
Employers compelled to make employees redundant because of the economic downturn are still entitled to enforce restraint clauses, says Minter Ellison Lawyers partner, Gareth Jolly.
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.
The volatile economy makes it crucial that employers consider whether their compliance program is up-to-date and appropriate for the current market, according to lawyer Randal Dennings.
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.
"Gardening leave" clauses in employment contracts can be an effective means to keep company secrets out of competitors' hands and prevent departing employees from disrupting the workplace, providing they are not enforced for an "unreasonable" length of time, according to a senior employment lawyer.
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.
The proposed national IR laws broaden employers' exposure to discrimination claims and might lead to bigger payouts in some jurisdictions, a senior workplace lawyer says.
Workplace bullying complaints continue to pose significant challenges for employers, including where the behaviour doesn't meet the legal definition of bullying or the threshold to make a claim. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to understand key lessons from cases where bullying complaints interact with other claims and issues.
What constitutes "best practice" when managing neurodiversity at work is evolving all the time. Watch this HR Daily Premium webcast to learn how to embed neuroinclusive practices into HR programs and every stage of the employment lifecycle.
