How to investigate an incident at the end-of-year party

It’s an unfortunate reality that workplace investigations often need to occur following an end-of-year party. Here are some workplace investigation tips to keep in mind.

Employer fined $44,000 after failing to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for injured employee

A mechanic who suffered an out-of-work injury has been granted damages after his employer’s “clumsy” handling of his return to work. Here are HR’s key takeaways from this case.

When can you ask for more than just a medical certificate?

Asking for a medical certificate to explain an absence is a common practice, but what happens if you need more information? How far can an employee pry into an employee’s medical history?

Can workplaces mandate COVID-19 vaccines?

With several COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon, employers might want to make them mandatory for all employees. However, legally, are they allowed to?

When a WHS poster is both sexual harassment and discrimination

Most sexual harassment cases in the workplace involve the offensive behaviour of a colleague. But this one pits an employee against a problematic poster.

Defining a work day: a landmark Federal Court decision

An argument of how the word ‘day’ should be interpreted means organisations across Australia have to rethink entitlements.

Employee fired for refusing to share his fingerprints fights back

Employee gives his employer the finger, but not in the way they wanted him to. This FWC decision could change the way employers approach biometric data collection.

Firing employees in their probation period

A new decision sheds light on how HR should approach dismissing employees during the probationary period. Including the risk of adverse action if a reason is not given and documented.