The Federal Court has handed down an important ruling on what constitutes a "reasonable" recruitment process, in a dispute over whether an allegedly biased supervisor should have excused himself from a recruitment panel.
Instead of expecting workers to be "firing on all cylinders" the moment they return from the summer break, employers should try to keep January fun, says engagement and performance expert Kate Boorer.
In a decision that contains useful guidance for HR professionals on when "undesirable" management behaviour is also "unreasonable", the Fair Work Commission has ruled that displaying intolerance or low-level anger towards a worker does not necessarily constitute bullying.
Working towards the right kinds of goals can help change perceptions that HR is just another business cost centre, says performance expert Terry Reynolds.
This year has been an exceptionally challenging one for HR professionals. The new anti-bullying jurisdiction kicked off; social media evolution outpaced the development of associated workplace policies and responses; and there was no shortage of new case law on everything from unfair dismissal to restraint clauses.
Most New Year's resolutions are short-lived, and more likely to induce a sense of failure than to drive success, according to behavioural strategists Dan Gregory and Kieran Flanagan, who say the same is often true of organisational goals.
Turning up to a conference still intoxicated from a work function the night before did not constitute gross misconduct by an executive, a court has ruled in awarding him nearly $300,000 in damages.
In adverse action cases where employers can correctly identify the person or people who decided to take action against an employee, and the court accepts their evidence, the claim usually fails, says Ashurst partner Marie-Claire Foley.
Leadership development was the biggest challenge for HR professionals this year, but taking steps now will ensure it isn't a recurring theme in 2015, according to new research.
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.
