When to Deal with Misconduct During the Festive Season

Posted by | Articles, HR Advice & Support, misconduct | No Comments

By Mark Cox, Director & Miette Xamon, Law Clerk 

Misconduct in the workplace can be a tricky matter for employers to deal with, which is often made more difficult due to Christmas shut downs and staff annual leave. There are 5 steps that an employer should consider when investigating misconduct and deciding to take disciplinary action to mitigate the risk that an employee (either the person alleged to have engaged in misconduct, or the person on the receiving end of that conduct) will mount legal claims.

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Santa or Scrooge: Employee Bonuses and Gifts

Posted by | Christmas Bonus, contractual entitlements, Policies and Procedures | No Comments

By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Gemma Little, Associate 

As the year draws to a close, employers may choose to give employees bonuses, gift cards or something similar, usually as a way of recognising the past year’s work and achievements.  While this practice is often positive in that it can increase morale and motivation, employers should ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to prevent well-meaning gifts from becoming gremlins.

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Long Christmas lunches and excessive online shopping: Tips for employers

Posted by | disciplinary action, disciplinary policies, HR Advice & Support, Performance Management & Misconduct Investigations | No Comments

By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Renae Harg, Senior Associate

Some employees may see the Christmas period as an opportunity to focus more on festive season activities and less on work. Employees may spend excessive time away from the office, having lunch or Christmas shopping. Other employees may spend excessive time online, shopping for Christmas presents or planning Christmas activities, or excessive time decorating the office. These types of behaviours can be difficult for employers to manage, without appearing Grinch-like and while still ensuring staff morale remains positive over the busy Christmas period.

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Managing the workplace Christmas party aftermath

Posted by | Christmas party, complaince, disciplinary action, HR Advice & Support, leave entitlements, out of hours behaviour, Performance Management & Misconduct Investigations, workplace investigations | No Comments

By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Madeleine Brown, Associate 

Even the most well managed work Christmas parties sometimes don’t go to plan. We highlight below how to deal with the aftermath if things go wrong.

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Party Planning What to do before the Christmas Party

Posted by | Articles, HR Advice & Support, Performance Management & Misconduct Investigations, sexual harassment, Terminations, Unfair Dismissals & Adverse Action, Work Christmas party | No Comments

By Joanna Knoth, Senior Associate and Lauren Wright, Lawyer

As we rapidly approach the end of the year, the office Christmas party can be cause for concern for many employers. There are two key issues that employers should turn their mind to when planning the party.

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Contractor arrangements subject to continued scrutiny as Foodora rider found to be an employee

Posted by | Contracts, contractual entitlements, Doing Business in Australia, independent contractor, sub contractor, unfair dismissal | No Comments

By Nikita Barsby, Special Counsel and Gemma Little, Lawyer 

In the recent decision of Joshua Klooger v Foodora Australia Pty Ltd [2018] FWC 6836, the Fair Work Commission held that a Foodora rider who was engaged as an independent contractor was in fact an employee and, therefore, eligible to bring an unfair dismissal claim.

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Employer unfairly dismissed employee due to wrong view on student visa

Posted by | Articles, Terminations, Unfair Dismissals & Adverse Action, unfair dismissal | No Comments

By Mark Cox, Director and Madeleine Brown, Associate 

An employee who was suspended indefinitely without pay after her employer decided that she had breached the conditions of her visa was unfairly dismissed, according to the Fair Work Commission in Devi v Doutta Galla Aged Services Limited [2018] FWC 4142.

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