There has been a rise in penalty awards for serious workplace safety injuries, bringing increased attention to how organisations manage risk, compliance, and accountability. For many businesses, this shift carries significant financial and reputational implications, making it more important than ever to stay informed and prepared.

In this episode, Kim McLagan and Jim Babalis share their perspectives on what’s driving these higher penalties and how regulators and courts are responding. They also discuss what this means in practical terms for employers, including where businesses are most exposed and the steps that can be taken now to reduce risk.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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In this discussion, Andrew Douglas and Monnette Samo examine the complex legal issue of double jeopardy in the context of workplace safety and criminal law. While the principle of double jeopardy is intended to prevent a person from being tried or punished twice for the same offence, serious workplace incidents can raise difficult questions when both safety legislation and criminal law apply to the same conduct.

Andrew and Monnette discuss how these situations arise, how courts approach the issue when two different legal frameworks apply to the same incident, and what this means for organisations, officers, and safety professionals. The discussion highlights the increasing overlap between workplace safety enforcement and criminal prosecution, and why understanding these risks is critical for those responsible for governance, compliance, and workplace safety.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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Work-from-home is back in the spotlight, with the Labor government signalling stronger support for flexible work arrangements. Join us this week as Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan discuss what this actually means for employers.

Recent workplace law discussions give employees greater ability to request flexible work, including working from home, and require employers to genuinely consider those requests. While remote work became common during the pandemic, these changes could further entrench hybrid work as a long-term expectation across many workplaces.

For employers, this raises important questions. Will work-from-home become the norm? How should businesses respond to employee requests? And what are the legal and operational implications?

In this update, we take a closer look at Labor’s work-from-home approach, whether it’s likely to gain momentum, and what employers should be doing now to stay ahead.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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Join us this week as Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan lead an engaging discussion on the topic “Who Are We at Work?” In this session, they’ll explore the balance between being respected and being liked in the workplace, and examine the potential risks that can come with personal disclosure in professional environments.

Andrew and Kim will help unpack how the way we present ourselves at work can influence relationships, perceptions, and professional boundaries.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking conversation.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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Andrew Douglas and Tom Daly explore one of the most pressing and complex challenges facing Australian workplaces today: overseas workers, racism, and safety.

As public debate continues to be shaped by anti-immigration rhetoric, it is critical for organisations to focus on the facts. Australia’s economy depends on both skilled and unskilled migrant labour. Beyond filling workforce gaps, overseas workers contribute to innovation, productivity, and cultural strength within our organisations.

Creating a safe and respectful workplace is not just a moral obligation — it is essential to operational stability, legal compliance, and long-term success. Organisations that fail to foster inclusive and culturally safe environments risk reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, and workforce disengagement.

Join us for a clear, practical discussion on how employers can lead with integrity, strengthen culture, and ensure every worker — regardless of background — is treated with dignity and respect.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, our presenters Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo look forward to sharing key insights and developments from the past week, including an important and timely discussion on workplace sexual harassment.

Courts and Tribunals are continuing to take an increasingly firm approach to sexual harassment claims. Recent decisions demonstrate a clear expectation that employers must take proactive, meaningful steps to prevent harassment before it occurs — not simply respond after a complaint is made. Organisations that fail to implement adequate policies, training, reporting mechanisms, and cultural safeguards are facing significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Prevention is no longer optional — it is a legal and commercial imperative. Taking early, well-documented action not only protects your people but also safeguards your organisation’s reputation and long-term success.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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We’re pleased to welcome Andrew Douglas back for his first Friday Workplace Briefing of the year, joined this week by Monnette Samo.

The landscape of psychological injury claims within Australia’s workers’ compensation schemes is undergoing significant change. With NSW’s new Psychological Claims amendment now passed through Parliament — and other jurisdictions actively seeking to reduce the number of successful psychological claims — employers, insurers, and advisors must be prepared for a shifting regulatory environment.

These developments signal a broader national trend toward reform, tighter thresholds, and increased scrutiny of workplace psychological injury claims. Understanding what has changed — and what may change next — is critical for managing risk, compliance, and workforce wellbeing effectively.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

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We’re delighted to bring the Friday Workplace Briefing back to your inboxes for 2026.

This week’s session features Jim Babalis, presenting for the very first time, alongside Kim McLagan, as they unpack a critical workplace issue: medical absence and termination.

The briefing will explore when prolonged absence may allow for termination, particularly in circumstances where an employee has failed to provide adequate medical evidence. Our presenters will discuss key considerations for employers, practical risks, and how to navigate these situations lawfully and fairly.

Join us for timely insights and practical guidance to help you manage prolonged medical absence with confidence.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into the festive season, workplace celebrations are gearing up — but so too are the risks that employers need to keep front of mind.

This week, we dive into Christmas parties and employee safety, and Andrew and Kim explore a topic that unfortunately remains all too relevant:

“All I want for Christmas is respect – the never-ending saga of sexual harassment at Christmas parties.” This is the final episode of Friday Workplace Briefing (FWB) for 2025, and we’re signing off until 30 January.

Thank you for joining us throughout the year — we’ve loved sharing insights to help you navigate the ever-shifting workplace landscape.v

To view the full episode and catch up with the week’s latest news and developments, please visit this link.

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in the latest episode of Friday Workplace Briefing, Andrew and Nina discuss one of the most timely and challenging issues facing employers today: privacy and out-of-work behaviour — and when it crosses the line into disciplinable conduct. They explore the new case of Margetts v State of Queensland (Queensland Health) (No 2), which clarifies the limits of the landmark case of Rose v Telstra involving out of hours conduct. Interestingly, this case goes against the trend and establishes that employers do not have a right to act on out-of-hours behaviour if there is no causal link to the employment relationship, the business, or its reputation. Tune in to learn how these legal thresholds apply today, and how to navigate the tricky intersection between employee privacy and employer protection.

To view the full episode and catch up with the week’s latest news and developments, please visit this link.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.