Employment Law
The system of employment and industrial relations in Australia is complex and highly regulated. Employers and employees have to navigate a web of national and state-based laws that operate alongside awards, enterprise agreements, employment contracts and workplace policies.
Getting it Wrong
Where a business fails to properly understand and meet its employment obligations, the results can be very damaging. In recent times a large number of high-profile national businesses have been found to have underpaid their employees. As a result, they’ve been required to reimburse their employees, as well as pay interest and heavy fines. This is aside from the damage to their reputation.
If big businesses can make mistakes that cost them millions then small business employers, who usually don’t have the time or specialist knowledge to navigate this complex system, face a substantial risk.
Risks
Some of the high-risk areas for both employers and employees include:
Correct payment of wages
Annual leave and long service leave entitlements
Paid personal and sick leave
Work performance and dismissal
Discrimination
Workplace health and safety
Advice
At every stage of the employment relationship from recruitment to contracting, employee entitlements, performance management or advice on termination of employment, unfair dismissals or discrimination, individuals and businesses need comprehensive and commercially sound advice on the following:
Employment contracts
Performance & Misconduct Management
Termination of Employment
Workplace Policy & Guidelines Booklets
induction of new staff, workplace health and safety, leave (sick, unpaid, parental etc), discrimination, bullying, performance management, redundancy.
General protections, discrimination or sexual harassment claims
Unpaid wages or entitlements claims
Compliance Review
Greenhalgh Pickard offers obligation-free, fixed-fee industrial relations and employment law health checkups for small and medium businesses.
Greenhalgh Pickard’s employment law solicitors
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