To any outsider, the job of investigative interviewing seems fairly straightforward – questions are asked and then answers are provided. Yet as we know, the job of interviewing parties in the course of a workplace investigation can be anything but simple. For example, the investigative interviewer must ensure procedural fairness at every step along […]
Most employers and employees are likely have at least some contact with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) during their working lives. This might be as simple as obtaining information about award conditions and employee rights, or as contentious as appearing before the FWC in a workplace dispute or unfair dismissal matter. So how does […]
It seems that as 2017 gathered steam, more and more brave survivors of sexual harassment in the workplace gained the courage to name their alleged harassers. From Hollywood bigwigs and actors to Australian TV personalities; it seems that a vast array of perpetrators and inappropriate actions within the entertainment industry have finally come to […]
Workplace bullying comes at a high price for Australian businesses and employees, costing billions and leaving a trail of physical and mental health issues in its wake. Even though employers are becoming increasingly conscious about bullying and most have anti-bullying policies in place, it is still very prevalent in 2017. We take a look […]
The recent media attention on sexual misconduct in Hollywood is a turning point; what may have been considered ‘innocent flirting’ in the 70s and 80s is increasingly being called what it is – unwanted harassment. The public condemnation of film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s conduct has emboldened people to come forward with allegations of sexual […]
Sexual harassment and predatory behaviour can happen to anybody. When most people think about this type of conduct, it is generally in the context of male-to-female harassment or, perhaps more rarely, female-to-male harassment. However, this is simply not the case – sexual harassment can be perpetrated by anybody towards anybody. A recent decision of […]
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced in mid-2013 to facilitate a support system for disabled Australians. In many ways, this has begun to streamline and simplify the process whereby many thousands of Australians under the age of 65, who have sustained a permanent and residual disability, are able to access healthcare services. […]
Feedback from employees is crucial to employers wanting to keep their finger on the pulse of a business. It is essential for management to be aware of risky behaviours occurring within a workplace, such as bullying, circumstances giving rise to easily preventable worker’s compensation claims, failure to comply with regulations, corruption, or even criminal […]
Risk management is an important aspect of running a successful business: Whether this takes the form of ensuring compliance with corporate governance programs, reducing instances of workplace fraud or financial misconduct, or eliminating bullying or other forms of harassment. Having a strong and coherent whistleblower program in place can help protect your organisation’s interests in […]
In conducting workplace investigations, both the alleged victim and perpetrator and potentially even witnesses may have an intensely personal reaction to the accusations. But what happens if one of the people involved in a workplace investigation has a mental illness or otherwise suffers from poor mental health? In this situation, a workplace investigation can be […]