What steps can an employer take when a worker takes personal leave immediately after a performance management discussion? Can organisations ask employees with exhausted personal leave entitlements to see a doctor? Here, an employment lawyer answers these questions and more.
Anti-bullying material released by the Fair Work Commission provides much-needed clarity around the new laws, and what is considered bullying and reasonable management action, says employment lawyer Lesley Maclou.
Every HR professional should understand the key terms in employment contracts, when to review and vary them, and how contracts interact with legislation, industrial instruments and workplace policies. Watch this webcast to ensure you're across these areas.
As the Fair Work Commission's anti-bullying regime starts to take shape, an industrial barrister has compiled a list of 13 issues employers should consider when preparing to defend a claim.
Confusion about how long an organisation should retain a sick or injured employee who's unable to work could be stopping many employers from lawfully terminating absent staff, according to lawyers from Hicksons' workplace relations group.
Smartphone technology has made it relatively easy for employees to secretly record disciplinary or performance conversations, says Ashurst Australia partner Marie-Claire Foley, who warns that unlawfully obtained evidence can be admissible in court.
Court rulings show how important it is to draft contracts clearly, and to include simple clauses that can protect organisations from expensive litigation, but many employers still haven't learned the lessons, says Hynes Legal associate director, Kristin Ramsey.
The end of any contracting arrangement heralds a heightened risk of employee entitlement claims, but those involving unpaid superannuation are particularly hard to defend and costly to address, according to PwC partner Rohan Geddes.
HR professionals who encounter suspicious medical certificates are entitled to question them, but "you should be very sure of your facts before putting allegations to employees", according to Workplace Law managing director Athena Koelmeyer.
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.
