Common Issues with Workplace Mediations

  Occasional conflicts and disputes are a fact of life in all workplaces. One of the best ways to defuse difficult situations, resolve office concerns and keep your staff happy is mediation. But even though this is a potentially very effective device in the employer’s toolkit, workplace mediations can go wrong. Let’s take a look […]

Guarding the Vulnerable: Reporting Obligations in Focus

  With the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australian organisations are now on notice in relation to their ongoing child protection reporting obligations. Mandatory reporting of particular conduct or convictions is a strong means of ensuring that those who care for the most vulnerable in our community, do […]

Fighting Age Discrimination in the Workplace

  At any given time, there are multiple generations operating in the workforce: new starters, more established professionals and those heading towards retirement. While this can create a diverse positive workplace, where a range of different experiences, attitudes and learnings can be shared, it also creates a possible environment for age discrimination. Age discrimination can […]

Counter Allegations – Who Did What When?

  Experienced workplace investigators are well aware that when two or more people are in dispute, there will inevitably be differing perspectives on what ‘the truth’ might look like. Contentious workplace issues can often play out in a ‘he said, she said’ fashion, with one allegation being closely followed up by a second person’s counter-allegation. […]

Managing Complaints – How To Find The Positive

  When an employee complaint alleging workplace discrimination or harassment is lodged, it is usually seen as a negative moment in the life of the organisation. However, it is possible for an employer to view this as a positive phenomenon, rather than a sign of complete failure. This is because well-handled complaints can illuminate hidden […]

When Workplace Relationships Go Wrong

  Given how much time employees spend at work every week, it is hardly surprising that romantic relationships develop in the workplace. But what happens when a romance is inappropriate, or attraction crosses the line into sexual harassment? inappropriate vs unlawful While there is nothing illegal about a workplace relationship between two consenting adults, in […]