Below is a round-up of recent Covid-related developments. Changes to the self-isolation rules for double-jabbed workers came into force in England from 16 August.  Individuals who received their second dose of the vaccine at least 14 days earlier no longer need to self-isolate if identified as a close contact of someone testing positive, but are … Read more

Our August update focuses on health and safety obligations across Greater China: in the wake of another high profile sexual harassment in the workplace allegation, what are employers’ obligations in relation to preventing sexual harassment in the PRC?  An overview, including the new Shenzhen Sexual Harassment Behaviour Guide, is available here. employee mental health and … Read more

Employers have just one month left to take action to comply with the new casual conversion provisions under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). In this article, we provide a recap on the changes to casual conversion, key timeframes for employers, and the steps that employers must take before 27 September 2021. 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

Today, the High Court of Australia handed down its long awaited decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato & Ors [2021] HCA 23 and unanimously allowed an appeal from the Full Court of the Federal Court’s decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato (2020) 278 FCR 179. While the decision did not provide clarity on … Read more

The case of L v K makes clear that, where there is insufficient evidence to conclude that an employee is guilty of criminal conduct, an employer may still be able to rely on “some other substantial reason” to fairly dismiss.  However, it will be important to be clear as to the proposed reason for dismissal, both … Read more

The European Court of Justice has ruled that employers may be able to justify a ban on all visible forms of expression of belief in some circumstances.  A ban will not be directly discriminatory on the grounds of a particular belief provided it is applied generally and without differentiation (notwithstanding that those employees whose beliefs … Read more

Our July update includes: an update from Hong Kong and the recent case of Law Ting Pong Secondary School v Chen Wai Wah [2021] CA 873. The case follows the UK position in Cavendish Square Holding BV v Talal El Makdessi [2016] AC 1172, and considers whether notice clauses in contracts of employment (including those … Read more