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Difficult workplace conversations regularly become heated, but this should rarely be a surprise, nor should managers lack strategies that help them quickly regain control, says The Zalt Group director Zandy Fell. She recommends identifying the curveball and being wary of not responding in a way that will exacerbate the situation.

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The Fair Work Commission has dismissed a stop-bullying application on the grounds that the parties will not have any interactions due to overlapping periods of parental leave.

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Following last year's changes to the sponsorship regime, refusal rates for nominations have substantially increased and many employers remain confused as to how to meet the "genuine position" criteria, according to Immigate managing director Diana Faraj. She outlines some simple steps to help employers avoid common traps when nominating overseas talent.

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Employers are stepping up their onboarding efforts with more personalised and tailored messaging but ownership of the overall process remains a problem for many, says HROnboard founder and CEO Peter Forbes.

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An employee was summarily dismissed for misconduct on the basis of a "misunderstanding" about his work instructions, the Fair Work Commission has found. He claimed he was reluctant to follow orders because he was previously instructed not to take directions from anyone other than his immediate supervisor.

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The Fair Work Commission has refused to make stop-bullying orders between two workers with a history of "banter". The alleged victim's own evidence was that "for most of her period of employment [they] enjoyed a good working relationship".