A suite of robust policies and procedures is an essential element of good governance in any organisation. Often employers discover that their policies and procedures are inadequate, only once their actions are reviewed by a tribunal or court. Adequate workplace policies are key mechanisms for outlining exactly what the standards of conduct are in […]
Workplace Policies: Are They Legally Binding? A recent decision of a Queensland appeal court raises some interesting questions about the role that workplace policies play in the employment relationship, and specifically whether they form part of the employment contract. In 2009, the employment of a lecturer at a Queensland university was terminated for serious and […]
The High Cost of Employee Theft: Is it Happening to You? It can be a shock to discover that theft is occurring in your workplace. Each of your staff may have shone at recruitment, with no visible trust issues apparent. So how can we reconcile our valuable personnel with the fact that theft regularly occurs […]
Can I Keep the Identity of the Complainant Confidential? When conducting an investigation into a workplace complaint, a number of variables need to be carefully managed. It is a given that once staff become aware of the investigation, reactions will vary widely. Be prepared for emotional responses to both the alleged incident, and the complaint […]
Drafting Allegations the Right Way Whenever allegations of adverse conduct arise in the workplace, the relevant investigator or manager must think carefully about the way in which these are to be put to the person involved. Preparation is the key here – wherever possible, take sufficient time to organise and crosscheck your information about the […]