http://www.hrdaily.com.au/index.php The National News Service for HR Professionals en-au Copyright HR Daily 2011 hourly 1 1970-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/RDF/hrdaily_logo.gif http://www.hrdaily.com.au/ The National News Service for HR Professionals http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2607 Rulings handed down since the commencement of the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions have clarified some of the mystery around their operation and contain important lessons for employers. HR Daily 2013-05-17T16:24:34+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2542 Managing long-term absent employees requires a cautious and proactive approach, or employers risk facing claims involving the whole gamut of employment law. Watch this webcast to understand how to: manage prolonged absences from work;identify the 'inherent requirements' of a position;consider 'reasonable adjustments';ensure compliance with the proposed amendments to Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws;determine what material to provide in an independent medical assessment;return employees to work on suitable duties; andevaluate relevant legal risks before a termination of employment. HR Daily 2013-03-25T07:00:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2535 The indicators employers need to report against under the Workplace Gender Equality Act include information that many organisations don't yet capture, and might have to create systems for, according to Ashurst lawyers Michael Tamvakologos and Melissa Bulat. HR Daily 2013-03-19T07:24:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2522 Contractors make up part of nearly every employer's workforce, but understanding your responsibilities in this area and maintaining first-rate safety standards can be tough. This webcast covers:How to ensure contractor compliance;Your OHS obligations to different kinds of contractors;Harmonisation - consultation obligations and other changes;Current general requirements;Warranties and indemnities; and more. HR Daily 2013-03-07T15:53:34+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2512 Employers should carefully monitor and manage how much discretionary sick leave they provide to employees following an injury or illness, according to employment lawyer Helen Donovan. HR Daily 2013-02-28T07:20:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2509 Take-up of the right to request flexible work is low, but the requests are generally granted without variation, according to a new Fair Work Commission report. HR Daily 2013-02-26T07:26:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2506 In the lead-up to July's superannuation changes, some employers face a "tough communication exercise" in explaining to employees that their base salary will drop, while others need to consider how they will fund the higher contributions, according to a reward specialist. HR Daily 2013-02-25T07:25:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2502 The dispute between Qantas and unions that led to the grounding of its fleet in 2011 has only been resolved "in theory", and is evidence that Australia's industrial relations system is ineffective and out-dated, says Macquarie University professor Paul Gollan. HR Daily 2013-02-19T07:29:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2492 Employee claims under the Fair Work Act are increasingly targeting individuals, so HR practitioners should ensure they help directors and officers to understand their potential liability, says employment lawyer Ben Gee. HR Daily 2013-02-12T07:23:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2466 Employers will need to be more vigilant about checking the visa status of their workers, with new legislation making it much easier for the government to prosecute non-compliant companies, according to an immigration law specialist. HR Daily 2013-01-23T07:23:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2448 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; andLegal risks arising from workplace drug and alcohol management. HR Daily 2012-12-07T16:58:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2442 Voluntary, certified compliance with the Australian Human Rights Commission's discrimination guidance or codes will provide employers a "complete defence" against discrimination claims, under changes announced to the national regime. HR Daily 2012-12-03T07:28:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2396 Amendments to the Fair Work Act proposed by Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten aim to ensure there are "cost consequences" for employees and lawyers who lodge unreasonable unfair dismissal claims. HR Daily 2012-11-01T07:20:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2394 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; andLessons from recent case law. HR Daily 2012-10-30T15:30:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2370 Solid policies, training and record-keeping are an employer's best defence against discrimination claims, say employment lawyers Brad Swebeck and Sarah Jones. HR Daily 2012-10-10T07:27:00+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2369 The discrimination landscape is constantly evolving, posing new challenges for HR professionals. Watch this webcast to learn how to guard against modern risks and meet your obligations. In this presentation Brad Swebeck and Sarah Jones, from Hicksons Lawyers, explain contemporary discrimination risks arising from: the Fair Work Act's general protections provisions (and how to defend claims);provisions in the Work Health & Safety Act;use of social media, by both employees and employers;collecting and storing information covered by the Privacy Act;diversity targets and "reverse discrimination";application of workplace family-friendly practices; and more. HR Daily 2012-10-09T17:48:12+11:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2357 Changes to taxation law that will take effect next week could cause some international employees to pack their bags and head for home, says Randstad Australia and New Zealand CEO Fred van der Tang. HR Daily 2012-09-25T07:26:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2346 Employers that attempt to recover costs associated with sponsoring workers could find themselves on the wrong side of the law, placing their ongoing eligibility as a sponsor at risk, says immigration law specialist Katie Malyon. HR Daily 2012-09-17T07:05:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2344 As employers increase their reliance on foreign workers to fill local skills shortages, understanding the 457-visa scheme is becoming a top HR priority. Watch this webinar to ensure that compliance errors don't jeopardise your organisation's ability to take advantage of this valuable resource. This presentation, by immigration law expert Katie Malyon, outlines:The criteria for eligibility as a 457-visa sponsor;The interface between employment and immigration laws;How to comply with DIAC's requirements around remuneration, record-keeping, notification and more;Special considerations when dismissing 457-visa holders;How to transition 457-visa holders to permanent residency; andCase studies of employers caught out in non-compliance. HR Daily 2012-09-14T12:27:52+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2341 The High Court's Barclay ruling should "put employers' minds at ease" about their ability to successfully defend an adverse action claim, say Kemp Strang employment lawyers. In this podcast, Lisa Berton and Nick Noonan discuss the importance of the case; its practical implications; and the key steps employers should take to minimise the risk of facing or losing an adverse action claim. HR Daily 2012-09-11T14:08:53+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2338 In a judgment that will be welcomed by employers, the High Court has ruled that an employer did not breach the Fair Work Act's adverse action provisions when it took disciplinary action against a union representative. HR Daily 2012-09-10T07:20:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2332 If your organisation needed to make redundancies, would the process be smooth, dispute-free, and minimise the impact on employees? In this presentation, Freehills senior associate Natalie Spark covers: genuine redundancy criteria;employee entitlements;consultation and redeployment obligations;unfair dismissal, discrimination and adverse action risks;how to develop selection criteria; and more. HR Daily 2012-09-06T07:10:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2323 This schedule, prepared by immigration law expert Katie Malyon, sets out 10 key employer obligations under the 457-visa scheme. HR Daily 2012-08-28T17:13:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2309 With the introduction of new gender equality legislation imminent, a workplace lawyer has warned employers to ensure they are "walking the talk" in terms of providing equal remuneration and access to flexible work arrangements. HR Daily 2012-08-21T07:22:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2300 In this Q&A session, immigration law specialist Katie Malyon answers your queries about compliance with the 457-visa scheme. The Q&A clarifies: General compliance issues;How to meet the training benchmark;Remuneration and entitlements for sponsored workers;Return travel obligations on employers;Sponsorship costs and recovery;DIAC notification requirements; andGeneral advice. HR Daily 2012-08-13T07:03:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2289 More certainty around public holiday penalty rates, harmonised long-service leave provisions, and broader rights to request flexible work are among the recommendations of the Fair Work Act review's report. In this article, review panellist Ron McCallum outlines some of the key proposals that - if enacted - are likely to impact on employers. HR Daily 2012-08-06T07:16:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2279 Upcoming changes to NSW's workers' compensation laws will possibly give rise to a new form of industrial dispute, an employment lawyer has confirmed to HR Daily. HR Daily 2012-07-26T07:01:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2258 Recent court rulings highlight the importance of taking care during the recruitment process to avoid disputes over when an employment relationship begins, an employment lawyer says. HR Daily 2012-07-10T07:15:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2256 An "unusual" court ruling shows that including a liquidated damages clause in contracts might assist employers in having their restraints of trade upheld, an employment lawyer says. HR Daily 2012-07-09T07:20:00+10:00 http://www.hrdaily.com.au/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&selkey=2244 The Fair Work Act is perceived by many HR practitioners as inhibiting productivity and flexibility, but should employers wait for the legislation to change, or can they do more to make the best of the current situation? HR Daily 2012-06-27T07:27:00+10:00