Most employers leave it to their accounts department to determine what does and does not constitute a business expense, but it is line managers who often "sign off" on expenditure, says iHR DirEx director Geoff Churcher.
A recent court case and fines totalling $330,000 show that employers with knowledge of inappropriate behaviour at work "have to do something about it", says Sparke Helmore special counsel, Adam Saunders.
Romantic relationships in the workplace can create a legal "minefield", but policies that are too prescriptive can offend employees, send the wrong message and weaken a company's competitive edge, says HR commentator Kate Southam.
Employers that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) workers enjoy greater employee commitment, says former High Court Justice Michael Kirby.
Employers should resist giving departing workers references - regardless of their achievements - in favour of a simple "statement of service", says Hicksons workplace relations practice manager Brad Swebeck.
Employers should take advantage of probation periods to actively manage and assess the performance of new employees, says Freehills workplace relations lawyer Shivchand Jhinku.
End-of-year celebrations have always been fraught with risk, but the proliferation of mobile devices adds "e-harassment" to the list of potential risks employers must address, according to lawyer Lisa Berton.
As the job market strengthens and inter-company movement increases, employers will be more likely to pursue litigation to guard their assets, predicts Harmers Workplace Lawyers partner Shana Schreier-Joffe.
Employers that fail to measure and reward success holistically could be damaging their company's long-term health, says Mercer human capital principal Martin Turner.
Industries that use a lot of on-call workers are moving towards people management best practice, but there is still work to be done, says HR Centre strategist Katherine Graham.
When an employer receives a complaint or becomes aware of a conduct issue, it's not always appropriate to go down a traditional disciplinary path. This HR Daily Premium Q&A will discuss alternative options and how to determine which is best in various circumstances.
Recent constructive dismissal claims highlight the risks involved in accepting a resignation from an employee who is experiencing mental health issues. Watch this Q&A to understand the rulings' implications for all employers.
