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Employment and Workplace Relations

A successful employment and workplace relations strategy is critical to business success. This will become even more important in the near future, as growing labour force shortages will make it more difficult for businesses to attract, develop and retain the best people for their workforce.

Our employment and workplace relations team works closely with employers of all sizes to tailor strategies appropriate for their business.

These strategies include bringing about effective change management; speedy and lasting resolution to industrial disputes; minimising the risks associated with downsizing/restructuring; and minimising the risks associated with employee terminations.

In addition to the services that we provide to employers, our employment group also assists executives, senior managers and staff in matters relating to their employment.

Our Services

Our team provides advice and support across a wide range of workplace matters, including:

Change management in the workplace Industrial relations – strategy and litigation
Confidentiality and restraints of trade Occupational health and safety – including critical incident management advice; policy implementation and defending prosecutions
Disciplinary action and dismissals Privacy
Discrimination and sexual harassment Transmission of business
Dismissal litigation Fair Work Act – compliance audits
Downsizing Workers compensation
Executives – remuneration, entry and exit strategies Workplace agreements (including individual contracts) – planning and implementation
Freedom of association Workplace policies

Our approach to industrial relations focuses on communication and conciliation, rather than confrontation. However, where litigation or the threat of industrial disputation is raised, our team acts with firmness and resolve. In the event of litigation, we have an excellent record of successful representation. All members of our team have experience as advocates in State and Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Our team can assist employers in maximising compliance in the areas of Equal Employment Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety. We can assist with training in relation to these areas. We are currently assisting clients in the transition process to working under the new Fair Work Act.

For further information, contact David Thompson.

Latest News

1 March 2010 Compulsory Arbitration ruled out by FWA Full Bench
24 February 2010 Compliance and the Fair Work Ombudsman
19 January 2009 Fair Work Act – Is your business compliant?
11 December 2009 Industrial Action under the Fair Work Act
9 December 2009 New complexities in enterprise agreement making
8 September 2009 Award Modernisation
14 August 2009 Fair Work Australia
7 July 2009 Surprise annual minimum wage decision
18 June 2009 NSW is gearing up to accept the model OH&S Act
12 June 2009 Another spit in the face for urine testing for drugs and alcohol
11 June 2009 Towards a national OH&S sysrem
20 May 2009 Is it safe to assume a national occupational health and safety system will become a reality?
18 May 2009 Super contributions changes – new ATO ruling
14 May 2009 Employment implications of the Federal Budget
30 April 2009 National Employment Standards
15 March 2009 Unfair dismissal under the Fair Work Act
12 March 2009 Employment_Return_to_Sender - protect your confidential information from employee misuse.pdf
01 December 2008 Employment Update
27 August 2008 Urine testing for drugs and alcohol – is this the end?
20 August 2008 Requests for flexible work arrangements based on family/carer’s commitments
29 July 2008     Long Service Leave entitlements - can consistency be achieved?
Autumn 2008         Employment_Law_Update_April 2008.
1 April 2008 The Dismantling of WorkChoices

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