HR managers could be found personally liable for bullying and harassment at work, under the national OHS framework, if they fail to take steps to prevent it, according to Hicksons Lawyers partner Brad Swebeck.
Organisations need to take responsibility for bullying because its presence in a workplace signifies "systemic dysfunction", says psychologist Evelyn Field.
There are few legal risks linked to banning 'body art' at work, but employers should ensure policies are relevant to the workplace and consistently applied, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
Public companies will be required to set targets for and report on the proportion of women employed on their boards, in senior management positions and throughout the whole organisation, under proposed changes to corporate governance rules.
Australia's "anti-dobbing" culture can obstruct efforts to eradicate workplace bullying and create a "huge problem" for employers, says general counsel for Harmers Workplace Lawyers, Greg Robertson.
It is the way managers deal with employee complaints - rather than the subject of the complaints - that can trigger workers to launch legal claims, according to Hicksons workplace relations practice manager, Brad Swebeck.
The Federal Court has "set in stone" what constitutes procedural fairness, after finding a workplace investigation was flawed and lacking natural justice, according to Wise Workplace Investigations principal, Jo Kamira.
A Perth law firm that implemented a "people first" strategy to address high staff turnover and low engagement achieved momentum and success by getting some "quick wins in place" early on.
One of the most difficult tasks HR professionals face is the need to share myriad regulations, procedures, and policies that employees typically dislike reading, says business writing expert Ann Linquist.
In spite of looming skills shortages and declining productivity, Australia's leading corporations continue to "under-utilise" diversity groups to source talent and leverage their brand, say the authors of a new report.
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.
