News: Blog
Larger payouts in sexual harassment cases – a warning to employers who fail to handle complaints properly
When a complaint of an alleged harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour is made, an informal response is not appropriate. Employers can be held vicariously liable for such behaviours as they…
Train driver who left his co-driver behind at a toilet break reinstated by Commission: the need for thorough workplace investigations
When an employer is faced with allegations of employee misconduct, it is crucial that the complaint is investigated thoroughly. Initiating a workplace investigation ensures that any decision made is fair…
An end to bullying cultures: stamping out workplace bullying with a zero tolerance approach
Workplace bullying is a very real and pervasive problem in the Australian workforce cutting across all industries, all professions and all levels of the workforce – it can affect anyone…
Childcare worker fails to receive anti-bullying order from Fair Work Commission: prevention is the best cure when it comes to bullying
Employers have an obligation to create a safe workplace for employees. This includes protecting them from workplace hazards. Bullying is one such hazard. Employers who fail to protect employees from…
Going postal: Fair Work Commission rules sacking of mentally ill employee unfair
To create a winning workplace culture employers needs to be proactive when managing mental health issues in the workplace. Ignoring employee’s mental health issues can affect workplace productivity and lead…
Workplace Mediation: how can it help?
We live in an increasingly litigious society – where one of the first responses to an issue or incident is to sue the other party. Certainly there are times that…
10 Tips for battling Bullying at work
Workplaces where bullying is a feature generally experience increased absenteeism, increased turnover, loss of productivity and higher frequency of workers’ compensation claims both physical and psychological. So what…
When good advice is needed: Employer forced to reinstate worker due to failure to provide adequate warnings
It can be difficult for franchise and multi-site operations (MSOs) trading in various regions and locations to keep up to date with the relevant state and territory legislation for HR…
Preparing for and Conducting Workplace Investigations: what you need to know
The purpose of a Workplace Investigation A workplace investigation is a process to collect and review information in relation to a complaint of inappropriate behaviour (such as harassment, discrimination &…
4 Key Things that Employers can do to pro-actively manage Absenteeism in the Workplace
Are you unintentionally losing $347 per work day every time an employee calls in a ‘sickie’? According to a 2015 absenteeism survey, Direct Health Solutions reported that’s exactly what employers…
Family restaurant avoids bullying orders by changing workplace culture
A family restaurant that implemented positive measures after a bullying complaint has avoided anti-bullying orders being issued by the Fair Work Commission. A catering attendant made an anti-bullying application to Fair…
Million dollar payout for bullying: iHR Director of Workplace Relations John Boardman highlights why managers should not ignore bullying
A large construction company has learnt the hard way that bullying is not okay after being ordered to pay $1.3 million in damages after admitting it failed to prevent a…
