Policies & procedures | Page 41 (582 items)

Employers tend to overlook their health and safety obligations to employees who work from home or other off-site areas, but it is neither difficult nor onerous to take the necessary compliance steps, says employment lawyer Kristin Duff.

An expert investigator has outlined what HR professionals should consider when deciding whether to audio-record or take notes during workplace investigative interviews.

Fair Work Australia's reinstatement of a Virgin flight attendant, who was sacked following a dispute over his hair length, should not discourage employers from enforcing grooming policies, says Hicksons partner Brad Swebeck.

How to manage an employee's positive drug test at work will depend on the circumstances and their role, but the first step should always be to re-test and confirm the result, says Mills Oakley associate Allison Grant.

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.

Before implementing or updating social media policies, employers should weigh up the risks of allowing various levels of use against the benefits, lawyer Fay Calderone has told an HR Daily Premium webcast.

Implementing a policy to regulate employees' social media behaviour puts employers in a "much better place" to prevent some of the damage that can occur, says employment lawyer Fay Calderone.

Speech time at the work Christmas party is a good opportunity for employers to pause the flow of alcohol and help prevent incidents arising from excessive consumption, says the Australian Drug Foundation's head of workplace services, Phillip Collins.

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
• Lessons from recent case law.

Solid policies, training and record-keeping are an employer's best defence against discrimination claims, say employment lawyers Brad Swebeck and Sarah Jones.