Racial Discrimination at Work

Natasha Kennedy-Read and Vince Scopelliti – Wednesday, February 05, 2020 We are all familiar with the more obvious signs of workplace discrimination; but with targeted racism and xenophobia spreading faster than the Coronavirus, it is vital to be aware of the more nuanced and subtle acts of discrimination at work. Queensland has seen MP Duncan […]

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How to Navigate Counter Allegations in Investigations

How to Navigate Counter Allegations in Investigations Natasha Kennedy-Read and Vince Scopelliti – Friday, February 14, 2020 It is not unusual when investigating allegations such as sexual harassment, bullying or theft for the person accused of the misconduct to make a counter allegation. This in turn can generate further counter allegations, making it difficult for […]

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Sacked on Leave: Procedural Fairness and Unfair Dismissal

Natasha Kennedy-Read and Vince Scopelliti – Wednesday, February 19, 2020 The rules around when staff can be terminated while they are on leave can be a source of consternation for management and human resources professionals. The consequences of getting it wrong are demonstrated in the recent Fair Work Commission decision of Tuan Nguyen v Adelaide Fencing […]

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How Fact-Finding and Disciplinary Investigations Differ

How Fact-Finding and Disciplinary Investigations Differ Vince Scopelliti – Tuesday, February 25, 2020 When dealing with allegations of staff misconduct, employers must be able to clearly delineate between fact-finding and disciplinary investigations. This includes communicating the difference to staff involved in the process. fact-finding vs formal investigation A ‘fact-finding’ process is often a necessary preliminary […]

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Whistleblowing in 2020: Is Your Organisation Ready?

Vince Scopelliti – Thursday, January 23, 2020 The concept of whistleblowing was once frowned upon, or at the very least looked upon with trepidation. However, in recent years, the value of promoting whistleblowing as an acceptable way to improve corporate regulatory compliance and culture has been demonstrated. In this changing landscape, organisations are embracing whistleblowing […]

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Managing Volunteers in the Workplace

Vince Scopelliti – Thursday, January 16, 2020 Volunteers can be a fabulous resource in any business. Generally, they bring enthusiasm, true passion for the organisation’s ethos and purpose, and a “can-do” attitude to the job. However, volunteers in the workplace can also bring their own set of challenges for organisations. Even though they are not […]

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Unfair Dismissal: Case Studies from the FWC

Vince Scopelliti – Wednesday, January 29, 2020 Perhaps one of the most vexed issues employers face is how to terminate employees without exposing the organisation to the risk of a successful unfair dismissal action. In light of the 15 January updates to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) Unfair Dismissals Benchbook, these two unfair dismissal cases […]

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Managing Misconduct over the Holidays

Vince Scopelliti – Wednesday, December 18, 2019 The festive season is fraught with concern for employers. With many staff on leave and those who remain letting their proverbial hair down (often with a beverage or three!) the holiday period can be a minefield. We take a look at when employees are still considered to be […]

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