The Friday Workplace Briefing

When is an employee no longer able to perform the inherent requirements of their role, and when can an employer lawfully rely on incapacity as a reason for termination?

In this session, Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis will discuss the legal test for termination based on an employee's capacity to perform the inherent requirements of their position, and the key considerations for employers when making these decisions.

Using a recent Fair Work Commission decision as a case study, they will examine how these principles are applied in practice and the important lessons for employers navigating this complex area of employment law.

Join us for an insightful discussion on this evolving area of employment law and the practical takeaways for employers.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 
General protections claims aren't just an issue for employers and employees—they can also arise in contractor relationships. However, the rights and protections available to independent contractors are not always the same.

In this update, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly explore the limits of general protections claims for independent contractors, including when State laws may give rise to workplace rights under the Fair Work Act, the interaction between State and Federal legislation, and the key considerations for businesses engaging contractors.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when employers assume safety is simply "common sense" or leave critical safety decisions in the hands of their employees?

In this episode, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo explore one of the most important principles in workplace health and safety: an employer's duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace cannot be delegated.

Using a recent court decision as the backdrop, we'll discuss why relying on workers to make their own safety decisions can expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences.

Join us as we examine the key lessons from this important case and discuss what every employer should understand about their ongoing responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo explore one of the most important principles in workplace health and safety: an employer's duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace cannot be delegated.

Using a recent court decision as the backdrop, we'll discuss why relying on workers to make their own safety decisions can expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences.

Join us as we examine the key lessons from this important case and discuss what every employer should understand about their ongoing responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly will be presenting on what Work from Home means for Victorian employers.

The Victorian Government has introduced proposed legislation that could significantly change workplace rights for employees working from home.

If passed, the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 will introduce a new statutory right for eligible Victorian employees to work from home, creating new obligations for employers and a new dispute resolution framework through VEOHRC and VCAT.

With the first commencement date set for 1 September 2026 (and 1 July 2027 for small businesses), now is the time for employers to understand what these proposed changes could mean for their business.

Whether you're an HR professional, business owner or manager, this vido provides a practical overview of the proposed reforms and the key issues employers should be watching.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly will be presenting on what Work from Home means for Victorian employers.

The Victorian Government has introduced proposed legislation that could significantly change workplace rights for employees working from home.

If passed, the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 will introduce a new statutory right for eligible Victorian employees to work from home, creating new obligations for employers and a new dispute resolution framework through VEOHRC and VCAT.

With the first commencement date set for 1 September 2026 (and 1 July 2027 for small businesses), now is the time for employers to understand what these proposed changes could mean for their business.

Whether you're an HR professional, business owner or manager, this vido provides a practical overview of the proposed reforms and the key issues employers should be watching.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo will be presenting on The Key Role of Supervision in Safety.

A recent NSW Industrial Court case serves as a timely reminder of the importance of effective supervision in the workplace. Following a serious incident involving a worker who suffered life-changing burns, the Court found there had been multiple safety failures, including a total failure of supervision.

The case highlights that supervisors play a critical role in ensuring safe work procedures are followed, workers are properly trained and equipped, and hazards are actively managed.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent Full Bench proceedings have provided one of the first significant opportunities to examine how the Fair Work Act's sexual harassment dispute framework operates in practice, particularly where alleged conduct spans periods before and after the commencement of the Respect@Work reforms.

Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as we explore the key issues arising from this important decision.

This session will provide valuable insights into the evolving operation of the Fair Work Act's sexual harassment jurisdiction and the lessons employers can take from this developing area of law.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FWA and Australians Working Overseas: How Far Does Our Workplace Legislation Extend Beyond Australia?

As businesses increasingly engage employees who live and work outside Australia, understanding the reach of Australian workplace laws has never been more important.

In this podcast Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore the circumstances in which overseas-based employees may still be covered by the Fair Work Act, safety, workers’ compensation and other workplace laws. We also discuss how there can be dual obligations with the country of residence further complicating people management.

Join us as we examine how far Australia's workplace laws can extend beyond our borders and what employers need to know when managing an increasingly global workforce.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they discuss the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review and what it means for employers.

The session will cover the impact of the wage review decision on award-covered employees, enterprise agreement employees, and employees engaged under common law contracts, along with key considerations ahead of the 1 July 2026 changes.

Don't miss this timely update on one of the most significant workplace developments of the year.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.