0 Adverse action claims – are we likely to see a spike?

With many businesses having considered reducing the size of their workforce, it seemed one of the most talked about topics was unfair dismissal claims. Businesses were keen to ensure that in response to the downturn in revenue their corresponding economic situation was justification alone for any dismissal being fair.

0 Eddie McGuire and The Bystander

Eddie McGuire and The Bystander
The recent comments made by Eddie McGuire while commentating on the coin toss by Cynthia Banham has had plenty of air time. I question the co-commentators who were laughing and agreeing with Eddie’s comments.

What is their role as the ‘bystander’? We talk about the role of the witness in our bullying and harassment training, we coach staff to speak out and speak up. Mention the phrase: ‘The standard you walk past is the standard you accept’ and everyone nods in earnest agreement.

0 Fixed-Term Contract Terminations – Fair Work Commission View

A recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) determination (Nesci v The Playford Hotel – [2018] FWC 5777) should have many employers scurrying to review the fixed term contract of all employees.

On 5 July 2017 Ms Nesci accepted a 12 month fixed term contract of employment which gave the start and end date of the contract as 3 July 2017 and 5 July 2018 respectively. This contract included an automatic unprotected “minimum employment period” of six months (which included a three month probationary period) during which time either party would be able to terminate the contract with one week’s notice.

0 How important is the role of a Return to Work Coordinator?

Q: How important is the role of a Return to Work Coordinator? A: Important enough that their work can minimise the risk of suicide following a work related injury. In a recent case heard in the Northern Territory Magistrate’s Court –  the family of a worker who committed suicide, as a result of suffering depression […]

0 Constructive, Critical, Courageous or Difficult Conversations?

Since every communication-interaction with a staff member has the potential to impact positively or negatively on workplace relationships and therefore impact on productivity, engagement [and] retention, every conversation with staff is critical . Follow the link to read our Workplace Conflict Resolution article about critical conversations published in ‘hrdaily‘ in June 2011.  (Free registration is required on the […]

0 The cost of public rebuke

Catherine Gillespie, Director of Workplace Conflict Resolution, was asked in Feb 2011 to provide comment to ‘hrdaily’ on a case where a business coach had been accused of publicly rebuke a staff member within a team being coached. Follow this link to read the tribunal ruling, outcomes, and Catherine’s comments of caution and preferred approaches.