In a case fought over the use of double standards, a commission has found the ultimate sacking of one employee was too harsh, because another had not been dismissed despite displaying arguably worse behaviour.
Employers are occasionally tempted to "get tricky" with the Fair Work Act's support person provisions, but a workplace lawyer warns that cutting corners in an attempt to expedite disciplinary matters can come back to bite them.
Having a formal policy to govern what happens when an employee blows the whistle on alleged wrongdoing can deter misconduct and reduce the risk of bad press, according to law firm DLA Piper.
Even with the best of intentions, HR managers often escalate workplace conflict, but with the right approach they can be incredibly effective at minimising or even preventing it, according to Mindful Mediation founder Caryn Cridland.
The actions HR professionals take in response to employee grievances can have a huge impact on preventing and minimising workplace conflict. Here are 14 ways to de-escalate complaints.
One of the best ways to uncover the truth about a workplace incident or allegation is to build a close rapport with the employees involved, according to undercover operations expert Dr David Craig.
Two employees who were sacked after they punched a supervisor in the head were unfairly dismissed, the Fair Work Commission has found, in a case that illustrates the dangers of "unsophisticated" HR management.
Smartphone technology has made it relatively easy for employees to secretly record disciplinary or performance conversations, says Ashurst Australia partner Marie-Claire Foley, who warns that unlawfully obtained evidence can be admissible in court.
HR professionals should encourage managers to take all employee complaints seriously, because ignoring a "difficult" worker can lead to expensive legal claims and damaging workplace issues, says employment lawyer Shana Schreier-Joffe.
A tribunal has upheld an employer's decision to sack a worker who admitted - then denied - that he sent a s-xually suggestive email from a colleague's account.
The laws around engaging casual and contract workers have changed drastically this year. Understand how this affects your organisation by attending this HR Daily webinar.
From August, employees will have a legislated right to disconnect from work. Understand what this means for your organisation by watching this HR Daily Premium webcast.
