Insights Categories: Workplace Relations & Safety

Cyber Security Awareness Month – Are you cyber aware?

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM). CSAM is an annual reminder for Australians to stay safe online and protect your online information and assets. The theme for CSAM 2023 is ‘be cyber aware – don’t compromise’. CSAM is an opportunity for businesses to review their understanding of ‘cyber security’ as a concept while continuing […]

Mind your Ps and safety first!

Key takeaways For employers or principals, the benefit of following the 4Ps of safe working can never be under estimated: Plan, Prepare, Protect and Proceed. Confirmation of the premise that the principal or main contractors are not expected to supervise or have specialist knowledge of all the specialist trades working on a construction site at […]

Pharmacy Workplace Relations – Hot Topics

Annualised Salary –  as part of the review of all modern awards the Fair Work Commission has determined that the annualised salary clause, contained in awards, should be varied to provide that employers must keep records of all hours worked (start and finishing times) by employees covered by annual salary arrangements and must review the […]

Unfair Dismissal claims under fixed term contracts

In order to be eligible to bring an Unfair Dismissal claim against an employer, an employee must, among other things, have been dismissed at the employer’s initiative. Historically, employees engaged on a term contract were generally not eligible to make an Unfair Dismissal claim as the contract ended due to the effluxion of time rather […]

Increased Powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman – Is your Business Vulnerable?

New legislation has recently been introduced which was sparked by the discovery of a number of large organisations found to have engaged in systematic underpayments and exploitation of workers. The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 provides the Fair Work Ombudsman with greater investigative and enforcement powers, introduces penalties for providing false or […]

Significant $1.3m payout warns employers to take employee bullying complaints seriously

The Supreme Court of Victoria[1] has sent a solemn message to employers to sit up and listen to employees who make complaints of bullying and harassment in the workplace, by awarding damages in excess of $1.3 million to a plaintiff suffering psychiatric and physical injuries because her employer failed to provide a safe working environment. […]

Finalist in Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards

Meridian Lawyers is proud to announce that Partner Sharlene Wellard has been nominated as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards for the Workplace Partner of the Year. The Workplace Partner of the Year Award recognises a partner who has kept up with the demands of workplace relations law, advising a […]

Is Big Brother watching?

A common concern for many employers is the extent to which they can monitor employees in the workplace. Specific legislation regulating workplace surveillance exists in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and in other states workplace surveillance is regulated by legislation dealing with specific electronic surveillance devices or methods. The overall implication for […]

Have you planned your party properly?

As the end of the year swiftly approaches, along with it comes the inevitable festive season celebrations of office parties and other functions. Although it is a time to celebrate the year that was and recognise the hard work by staff, employers need to ensure that adequate planning has been done. The best way to […]

Are you selling a child care business?

Whether you have negotiated the sale of your child care business yourself or through a business broker, you will need a solicitor with child care experience to prepare and negotiate the contract of sale, and manage the transaction through to completion on your behalf. The legal process can be broken down into six distinct stages […]

Women in Law Awards finalist: Mentor of the Year

Meridian Lawyers congratulates Principal Sharlene Wellard on her selection as a finalist in the 2016 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2016 for Mentor of the Year. Managing Principal Paul Baker said, “A highly regarded employment practitioner, Sharlene joined Meridian’s employment law team in July 2014. She has driven innovative policies involving flexible work practices, social media […]

1 2 3