At the conclusion of a workplace investigation, the investigator has the challenging task of pulling together all relevant material into a cohesive report. The style of report that is chosen will be firmly linked to the purpose of the investigation, keeping in mind the requirements of the readers and users of the document. Investigators […]
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 […]
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 […]
For an employee who is on the receiving end of disciplinary action, performance management or a workplace investigation, it is an upsetting, and even a potentially traumatic experience. Every employee involved in such a process is entitled to have a support person present during any meetings or interviews. A failure to afford an employee […]
Organisations are no doubt aware of the need to comply with anti-discrimination legislation, but actively encouraging cultural diversity in the workplace is becoming increasingly important – it can offer potential benefits far beyond simple compliance with the law. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits, and how organisations can manage cultural diversity. […]
Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a positive workplace culture. A workplace culture which helps foster happy employees can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and have a positive flow-on effect to customers. But just how can senior management get staff, particularly junior staff, to open up about how they feel? One excellent […]
The Christmas tree is up, the fairy lights are lit, the bonbons are set on the table, the trifle is in the fridge – and you are sifting through your phone, replying to just one more email, tweaking just one more slide on the Powerpoint, making just one more phone call to a prospective […]
Aged care providers have been in the media spotlight in recent weeks. While some are alleged to have financially exploited the elderly others are alleged to have provided a substandard level of care. Research conducted by Curtin University in 2015 suggests that some 167,000 older Australians may be subject to abuse annually. Like many […]
If there’s one thing that’s been made clear from the recent Royal Commission, it’s that the protection of children and the reporting procedures around child abuse need to be improved. In August 2016, largely in response to the commission, the ACT Government passed legislation designed to cast a ‘wider net’ when it comes to the […]
Across all Australian workplaces the phenomenon of bullying is without doubt a front-and-centre topic. And as a result, overt instances of bullying in the workplace now tend to be more readily identified than ever before. One challenging idea for all concerned however is this; is it possible that management action that is entirely reasonable could […]