The current Royal Commission uncovering shocking examples of institutional child abuse has brought the issue to the forefront of our national consciousness. It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that some authorities get jittery about their role in protecting such a vulnerable section of the population. But sometimes, the very system that is supposed to protect in […]
There are special skills that come into play during any workplace investigative interview. Particular care is needed, however, when non-criminal elements of a child-related issue are under investigation. Criminal and civil investigative processes might both be required for the one workplace matter, and within each approach the challenges can be considerable. Child-related complexities At first […]
You Just Discovered a Worker May Be a Paedophile: What Now? Finding out that someone you know might be a paedophile can cause quite a shock. And when that person is an employee, a whole raft of questions can surface at once. Who reported this, and in what manner? How should you go about finding […]
Employees Working with Children? Do the Checks Families are becoming busier than ever. More service options are being sought by parents each year around the education, entertainment and care of their children. As a result of this, the number of Australian employees working with children continues to grow. From play centres to sports camps, music […]
Last week the Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of a teacher who appealed against unfair dismissal after 37 years of service. The appeal was granted in spite of recognition that there was a valid reason for him not to be reinstated. In the ruling the Fair Work Commission stated that the employer […]
By WISE Legal Counsel Alison Page Investigators can learn a valuable lesson from an unfair dismissal decision by the full bench of the Fair Work Commission, handed down in March 2013. Although the case was concerned with the application of regulations in the child care industry, it is a timely reminder not to make assumptions, […]