Norfolk Workplace Consulting

Our Principal Consultant, Chondelle McKay gave an interesting and engaging presentation at the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) expo and conference: “Drilling Down on HR” today. Chondelle covered why an engaged workforce is so important and how you can achieve and maintain one. 💡 You can have the most cutting edge equipment in the world but still won’t have a successful business without a happy and productive team! We love working with drillers and their fantastic industry association, the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA)!

🌟 Join Us for an Informative Event on Workplace Law Changes! 🌟 We are thrilled to be joining Hunter Manning and Pragma Lawyers to discuss the sweeping changes to workplace law in 2024, what to expect in 2025 and what they mean for employers. 📅 Date: Thursday, 5th December 🕔 Time: 5:00 PM registration, Event 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, followed by networking 📍 Location: Canton Hall, Perth CBD 🎟️ Tickets: $20 (includes drink on arrival and nibbles) - all proceeds go to zero2hero. To secure your place, grab a ticket below! https://lnkd.in/g6WfZtGy #WorkplaceLaw #EmploymentLaw #HR #Networking #Event #PerthEvents #LegalUpdates

The Right to Disconnect is now a legislated entitlement under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which aims to foster a healthier work-life balance, promote healthy boundaries, and ensure employees can truly switch off outside of working hours. Not sure where to start? Struggling to make time to prioritise these changes? Well, let us do the work for you. We have developed a toolkit for employers to help them ensure they are meeting their obligations under these new laws. Our Toolkit provides employers with a checklist to ensure they have all bases covered, a Right to Disconnect Policy, and guidelines on how to properly meet their obligations under these new laws and prevent risk to their business. The Right to Disconnect Toolkit includes: ⭐ Employer Readiness Checklist ⭐ Right to Disconnect Policy ⭐ Employer Guidelines Follow the link below to get yours!

A common misconception is that serious misconduct automatically justifies summary dismissal - this recent decision reminds us that’s not always the case! The recent decision in Haley v Laing O'Rourke Australia Management Services Pty Ltd (No 8) [2024] FedCFamC2G 779 serves as a cautionary tale to employers. In this decision, the court awarded $1.5 million to the applicant for adverse action and repudiation of contract. This included compensation for loss of income (including future loss of income), incidental costs (including legal fees and relocation costs), and for hurt, distress and humiliation. This damages award was substantial, nothing the employee’s salary was $400K at the time of dismissal. The court found that the respondent took adverse action against the applicant because the applicant exercised a workplace right. About a month before the alleged serious misconduct, the applicant had made a complaint to the respondent, stating that he felt 'overwhelmed and overworked' and that his workload was impacting his personal life. The court also found that the employee, who had been employed with the respondent for 17 years, was wrongfully dismissed following a flawed investigation process. The key lessons learned from this decision include:  ⭐ Serious misconduct does not automatically justify summary dismissal. ⭐ A poorly handled workplace investigation will expose employers to risk (commercial and reputational). ⭐ It is prudent that workplace investigations are conducted by suitably qualified and experienced investigators. ⭐ All of the circumstances should be carefully considered before taking action against an enmployee (even if the serious conduct is substantiated). Norfolk Workplace Consulting offers investigation services by experienced and licensed investigators. Our investigators offer independent, thorough workplace investigations, ensuring that your sensitive workplace matters are handled with professionalism and integrity. Need support? Contact us today for expert advice. 

Concerned about the raft of IR reforms? You're not alone, and we're here to help!  At Norfolk Workplace Consulting, we understand that these reforms are complex, and that employers shouldn’t be expected to be experts in this area. That’s where we come in. Our consultants work with employers across all industries, getting to know their business and unique needs. We remove the guesswork by providing practical advice on what these reforms mean for your business, along with clear guidance on employer rights and responsibilities. Let us help you navigate these IR reforms business. Get in touch with us today. 

Our Director, Elizabeth McLean shared some valuable insights on the upcoming “Right to Disconnect” in a feature article with The West, on what the changes mean and what employers should be doing now to prepare. Be proactive and contact our team for advice and guidance on how to prepare for this new workplace right. #humanresources #employmentlaw #workplacerelations #righttodisconnect #closingloopholes

After surprise inspections of 46 businesses in WA's fast food, restaurant and café sector, the Fair Work Ombudsman has recovered more than $760,000 for underpaid employees. 93% of the businesses inspected as part of this targeted campaign were found to be in breach of workplace laws. Having a sound understanding of industrial instruments and employee entitlements is critical for preventing risk to employers. With wage theft laws soon coming into effect, employers are urged to be proactive in this space. We have been supporting many clients auditing their working patterns and advising on how effectively bolster their compliance. If you'd like to find out more about how we can help protect your business, get in touch with the team at [email protected]! #employmentlaw #fairwork #humanresources #HRcompliance

Today Norfolk Workplace Consulting and Pragma Lawyers were delighted to host Australia's leading Senior Counsel in the employment and industrial relations space, Ian Neil SC, for a lunchtime discussion on workplace relations following the recent Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023. Our expert panel delved into the two tranches of Loopholes reforms, what we expect to see in 2025 and beyond, and what employers should be doing now. Thank you again to Ian Neil SC, Elizabeth McLean and Chondelle McKay for sharing your expertise and insights with us! #workplacerelations #employmentlaw #loopholes #humanresources #fairwork

We are pleased to announce that Norfolk Workplace Consulting is growing, with the talented Gabriella Merkuloff recently joining the team in the role of Associate Consultant.   Gabriella is an agile HR practitioner who brings a strong technical skillset in workplace relations and a people-centric approach to human resources management. Gabriella’s experience is diverse with a strong background in the not-for-profit sector. She enjoys working with managers to build their confidence and capability, so they can effectively lead their teams and address workplace issues early.   We are excited to have Gabriella join Norfolk and look forward to seeing her partner with our amazing clients to support them in achieving their people goals.   If you are looking to partner with a technical HR specialist, whether it is navigating a disciplinary matter, auditing compliance, or delivering an HR project, get in touch with the team at [email protected] or by visiting our website at www.norfolk.work #HRconsulting #workplacerelations #team #humanresources #employmentrelations

Join Norfolk Workplace Consulting and Pragma Lawyers for an unmissable employment law seminar this July! We will be joined by Australia’s leading Senior Counsel in the employment & industrial relations space Ian Neil SC, for a lunchtime discussion on workplace relations following the recent Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023. Our expert panel of workplace relations lawyers and advisors will delve into what has happened with the first tranche of Loopholes Reforms, what we expect to see in 2025 and beyond, and what your business should be doing now. 📅 Wednesday, 3 July 🕗 12:30pm – 1:30pm 🏢 Pragma Lawyers (or online via Zoom) 1 CPD point in CA4 Substantive Law RSVP to [email protected] to save your spot!