From Hiring to Firing: Managing the End of the Employee Relationship - Recorded Online Conference

Our annual 2-day employment law conferences are among the most highly regarded professional development events we run, but we realise that not everyone can spare two days out of the office. So we’re offering you a new way to access the experts online – a half-day online conference, focused on managing the end of the employee relationship.

You can put your staff in the boardroom and watch it there. You can watch it on your computer or on your portable electronic device. All for the same low price.

The conference will be based on our highly successful video webinar technology: there’ll be a chairperson, a panel of experts, presentations and discussion – and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions.

Session 1: Navigating Unfair Dismissal Risks When Terminating Employment

Employers often assume that they are on safe grounds to terminate an employee following serious misconduct. But, recent cases have highlighted the difficulties associated with navigating unfair dismissal claims. This practical session gives an update on recent cases, with an emphasis on how employers have fallen foul of unfair dismissal laws. It also examines the impact of the recent Navitas decision and the dangers in terminating employees on fixed term contracts. It covers:

• Who can make an unfair dismissal claim?
• What is the minimum employment period?
• What is a valid reason for dismissal in today’s workplace?
• What constitutes harsh, unjust or unreasonable?
• Are policy breaches enough?
• Adopting the correct procedures
• Ensuring that the ‘punishment fits the crime'
• Examining the Navitas decision – does it create a new approach to fixed term contracts?
• Preventative Measures

Session 2: Fit for Work and Employer’s Obligations

For employers to meet their safety obligations, it is crucial that they ensure their employees are fit for work. While making these inquiries is often uncomfortable for employers, there are a number of things that can be done to ensure employees can properly perform their roles and employers reduce their risk of unlawful discrimination. This session covers:

• Pre-employment disclosure – what can and can’t be obtained?
• Ensuring staff understand safety obligations to report on their ability
• Workplace policies and fitness for work procedures
• Independent medical examinations – when can they be requested?
• Making reasonable adjustments – what adjustments are considered reasonable?
• Facilitating return to work after a period of time away – practical steps to implement in managing employees who were not fit for work when they return
• Case law update

Session 3: The Challenges and Curveballs of Making Staff Redundant

Against a backdrop of increasing economic uncertainty, organisations are turning to redundancies to ‘trim the fat’ and ensure long-term sustainability. Recent cases have examined what is meant by ‘genuine redundancy’, the extent of the consultation requirements and how to effectively discharge your obligations. This session covers:

• Meeting the requirements for ‘genuine redundancy’
• Changes in operational requirements
• The obligation to consult.
  • when does it arise?
  • quality and content of the consultation
  • with whom should consultation occur ?
• Redeployment
• What are the consequences of failing to comply?
• Looking beyond the Fair Work Act 2009
• Strategies for dealing with disputes
• Case law update