Claire Harrison

Be very clear about your reasons for taking action against an employee, and be able to prove them — to minimise the prospect of adverse action claims. Those are the two most important elements of a strategy to combat adverse action claims outlined at the 2012 Workplace Law Fundamentals seminar, conducted by Akolade, in Sydney, on 20 […]

Sham contracting is an attempt by an employer to misrepresent or disguise an employment relationship as an independent contracting arrangement. Employers may do this to avoid having to give an employee their proper work entitlements, such as minimum rates of pay and leave entitlements. Sometimes, employers dismiss, or threaten to dismiss, employees if they don’t

In Brief In a recent FWA decision, an employee was reinstated following termination for allegedly derogatory and harassing comments about managers posted on his Facebook page.1 Roberts C found the comments to be akin to ‘a group of friends letting off steam and trying to outdo one another in being outrageous‘, and whilst in poor taste,

A valid reason for termination should be classified into at least one of four categories: capacity, conduct, performance or termination on the grounds of redundancy. Capacity Capacity relates to the employee’s ability to perform the inherent requirements of the job. To rely upon capacity as a reason for termination, the core or substantive duties of

Presented a workshop tonight for business owners on their employment law obligations and how to comply. We discussed the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standard, Modern Awards, Independent Contractors, Occupational Health and Safety, Discrimination and Workplace Bullying – and much, much more. CONCLUDED WITH THE FOLLOWING TOP 8 TIPS FOR COMPLIANCE:  Audit your HR and

A Lismore café, which underpaid its workers $138,000, will have to report its wage rates to the Fair Work Ombudsman for the next three years. Ejack Pty Ltd, which underpaid more than 70 casual waiting staff and short-order cooks over two and a half years, has also pledged to repay all outstanding wages. The company’s

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA HAS PRODUCED MULTIPLE EMAILS AS EVIDENCE AGAINST TWO MOTHERS SUING THE AIRLINE FOR TURFING THEM OUT OF THEIR JOBS. Former public relations officer Leonie Vandeven and former events and sponsorship manager Kirsty Aitken both claim they were made redundant because they were pregnant or on maternity leave. They are suing their former employer

Policies are a necessary management tool in any organisation. While there is no doubt of their widespread use, it is important to review the effectiveness of your workplace policies both from a legal and operational point of view. The following five principles form the foundation of a successfully implemented and enforceable policy. DO NOT INCORPORATE

The operator of a Gold Coast pizza shop is being prosecuted for the alleged serially underpaying 27 employees a total of almost $20,000. Facing court are Scot Stuart Murphy and his private company VS Investment Group Pty Ltd. Through his company, Murphy owns and operates Mondo Pizza at Surfers Paradise. It is alleged the 27

Everyone knows running a business is hard work, but so is maintaining a marriage. This is a great article taken from the latest edition of Smarter Business Ideas. Allison Tait asked the experts how you can keep your significant other significant, and both of you happy. A business could be described as an unforgiving mistress.

Some medical certificates that employees present to substantiate personal leave provide very little information about the employees’ condition So, can an employer seek more information in order to assess the validity of the leave claim? Let’s first take a look at an example scenario posted to WorkplaceInfo. Claire HarrisonClaire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director

In recent times, social media has shifted workplace dynamics by becoming an increasingly used tool for organisations to expand their business, but there are also employment-related issues that need to be addressed. With the limitless commercial potential, including opportunities to increase client base, branding, advertising and even recruiting staff, coupled with the growing trend of

The applicant was found not to be an employee but, instead, a contractor–principal relationship existed, and was hence not protected from unfair dismissal under s382 of the Fair Work Act 2009. Fair Work Australia has dismissed an application for unfair dismissal remedy for want of jurisdiction. THE CAB RANK SUPERVISOR’S SITUATION A man was engaged

A Westpac bank employee who seriously injured her back when a chair collapsed under her at work has been awarded more than $270,000 in damages. In the Supreme Court, the Westpac Banking Corporation admitted liability for the injury suffered by Tara Kim Andrews on December 12, 2006. However, it was left to Justice Duncan McMeekin

It has been 12 months of despair for some workers but a year of opportunity for others. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald Claire HarrisonClaire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director of Harrisons, a flourishing HR consulting business that sprouted in 2009 from Claire’s passionate belief that inspiring leaders and superstar employees are the key success

Unions are pushing to make it easier for workers to claim unfair dismissal and for a more activist role for the workplace tribunal in settling industrial disputes. Source: The Sydney Morning Herald Claire HarrisonClaire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director of Harrisons, a flourishing HR consulting business that sprouted in 2009 from Claire’s passionate belief

Brisbane Qantas workers face a nervous few days as rumours swirl among union officials jobs are going to be axed. Source: Brisbane Times Claire HarrisonClaire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director of Harrisons, a flourishing HR consulting business that sprouted in 2009 from Claire’s passionate belief that inspiring leaders and superstar employees are the key