2021 has been another turbulent year in the employment, industrial relations and safety space in Australia. We’re proud to have worked with our clients on some of their most challenging people issues including the development of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace, and underpayments. As we move into 2022 … Read more

Employers handling a statutory flexible work request should ensure that any extension to the three month period for deciding the request (including any appeal) is specifically agreed, preferably in writing.  They cannot rely on the fact that the employee has agreed to attend an appeal after the expiry of the period as implicitly extending the … Read more

Last week the Government published three consultation documents concerning proposed employment law reforms: a new consultation on changes to flexible work requests, and two consultation responses confirming the introduction of carer’s unpaid leave and rules on tips, both to be introduced “when parliamentary time allows”.  Employers should be aware that these changes are on the … Read more

Radical upheavals in working life are taking hold at a global level as remote and hybrid working leave lasting changes across industries in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, employers are more inclined to advocate about geopolitical and social issues, use technology to manage and monitor the new ways of working, and adopt … Read more

As discussed in a previous Snapshot, when employees are absent from work due to injury or illness, it can also significantly impact business operations. Following an employee’s prolonged absence, the next challenge is to ensure a successful transition back to work. This Safety Snapshot highlights the key considerations for employers in balancing their legal duties, … Read more

The changes that have been thrust upon employers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the speed with which employers have adapted to them, have undeniably transformed the world of work. Technology has been at the core of much of this. It seems hard to fathom now, but 18 months ago many of us … Read more

Employers should be alert to the risk of indirect sex discrimination claims when requiring flexible work schedules, particularly if these involve changeable or unsociable hours.  The EAT has confirmed in Dobson v North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust that female employees seeking to show that a requirement for flexible hours is indirectly discriminatory may … Read more

Below is a round-up of key Covid-related developments for employers over the last six weeks: The Prime Minister has just confirmed that Step 3 of the roadmap for relaxing the Covid-19 restrictions will go ahead on Monday 17 May as planned.  The Prime Minister had earlier confirmed plans to lift the ‘work-from-home’ guidance for England … Read more