Occasional conflicts and disputes are a fact of life in all workplaces. One of the best ways to defuse difficult situations, resolve office concerns and keep your staff happy is mediation. But even though this is a potentially very effective device in the employer’s toolkit, workplace mediations can go wrong. Let’s take a look […]
It is important for employers to keep procedural fairness top of mind when conducting workplace investigations or taking disciplinary action. Failing to do so can result in terminations being deemed unfair, as the recent Fair Work Commission decision of Nicholas Jarmain v Linfox Armaguard Pty Ltd [2018] FWC 3255 (14 June 2018) shows. background […]
With the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australian organisations are now on notice in relation to their ongoing child protection reporting obligations. Mandatory reporting of particular conduct or convictions is a strong means of ensuring that those who care for the most vulnerable in our community, do […]
Parties involved in a workplace investigation will often wish to gain access to documents that form part of the process. A difficult question for investigators is when – or if – it will be appropriate to release particular information. The reason for the request and the nature of the information will be key considerations, […]
At any given time, there are multiple generations operating in the workforce: new starters, more established professionals and those heading towards retirement. While this can create a diverse positive workplace, where a range of different experiences, attitudes and learnings can be shared, it also creates a possible environment for age discrimination. Age discrimination can […]
Experienced workplace investigators are well aware that when two or more people are in dispute, there will inevitably be differing perspectives on what ‘the truth’ might look like. Contentious workplace issues can often play out in a ‘he said, she said’ fashion, with one allegation being closely followed up by a second person’s counter-allegation. […]
When an employee complaint alleging workplace discrimination or harassment is lodged, it is usually seen as a negative moment in the life of the organisation. However, it is possible for an employer to view this as a positive phenomenon, rather than a sign of complete failure. This is because well-handled complaints can illuminate hidden […]
Hospitals – very few people like them, yet many of us will be a resident at one time or another. Even though hospitals can be sources of great joy, places where babies are born, miracles happen and lives are saved, they also represent sickness, injury, death, and some pretty ordinary food! The people who […]
Given how much time employees spend at work every week, it is hardly surprising that romantic relationships develop in the workplace. But what happens when a romance is inappropriate, or attraction crosses the line into sexual harassment? inappropriate vs unlawful While there is nothing illegal about a workplace relationship between two consenting adults, in […]
Most adults like to indulge in the use of alcohol from time to time. Some even like to partake a little more frequently – which is generally not problematic, in the privacy of one’s own home and social sphere. But occasionally problems with alcohol or even drug consumption can creep into the workplace, with […]