Fair Work Australia's first ruling on an adverse action claim sends a strong message to employers that they must "meticulously" document the reasons behind every decision that affects employees, says employment lawyer Lisa Berton.
Employers faced with the prolonged absence of a sick employee - and a "spider's web" of associated legal obligations - are often scared into making hasty decisions, or paralysed by indecision, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
Seven in ten managers who have received outplacement support are critical of the way the process was handled, and 90 per cent will be active detractors of their previous employer, according to a Macfarlan Lane outplacement report.
A recent Fair Work Australia order - requiring a contractor to reinstate a worker at a principal's site - demonstrates the significant operational issues employers could face if ordered to return a dismissed worker to their former role, says Harmers Workplace Lawyers partner Lesley Maclou.
A recent court finding that an "informal" discussion constituted disciplinary action is a "classic" example of how failing to communicate the purpose - and possible consequences - of management action can put employers at risk, says Thomson Playford Cutlers partner Jacquie Seemann.
Problems with difficult employees never resolve themselves and, if left unaddressed, can expose employers to legal risks, says workplace lawyer Brad Petley.
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.
More than 50 per cent of SMEs have a poor understanding of the National Employment Standards, which came into effect on 1 January 2010, a survey of 350 employers has found.
HR Daily's most popular articles in 2009 fell into four broad categories - engagement and wellbeing, redundancies, leadership, and legal compliance - and here we bring you the year's top stories in each.
The laws around engaging casual and contract workers have changed drastically this year. Understand how this affects your organisation by attending this HR Daily webinar.
From August, employees will have a legislated right to disconnect from work. Understand what this means for your organisation by watching this HR Daily Premium webcast.
