NAVIGATE THE LATEST LEGAL DYNAMICS: UNPACK EXPERTISE FROM LEADING FIRMS

NOVEMBER 2024 | AMORA HOTEL JAMISON SYDNEY
#HRDEmploymentLaw

ABOUT


Uncover strategies from top firms, explore recent legislative shifts and case law updates — all in one dynamic day of face-to-face learning. 

Join the Employment Law Masterclass Sydney to grasp federal reforms on flexible work, fixed-term contracts, and the Fair Work Act, all guided by Australia’s leading employment lawyers. 

Gain insights into changing workforce obligations and connect directly with expert lawyers. Don’t miss your chance to stay ahead in employment law. 

SPEAKERS


Shanni Zoeller
Shanni Zoeller

Senior Associate
HWL Ebsworth Lawyers

Stephen Hardy
Stephen Hardy

Partner
K&L Gates

Gareth Jolly
Gareth Jolly

Partner
MinterEllison

Clancy King
Clancy King

Partner
DLA Piper

Kristen Lopes
Kristen Lopes

Partner
Colin Biggers & Paisley

Chris Nowland
Chris Nowland

Senior Associate
Herbert Smith Freehills

Cilla Robinson
Cilla Robinson

Partner
Clayton Utz

Alexandra Shields
Alexandra Shields

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright

Maree Skinner
Maree Skinner

Partner
Maddocks

AGENDA


  • Opening remarks from the chairperson
    Shanni Zoeller
    Shanni Zoeller

    Senior Associate
    HWL Ebsworth Lawyers

  • Navigating flexible work requests

    Employees are seeking greater flexibility in the modern workplace, with many preferring to work remotely. How are employers managing requests for flexible work arrangements and how do you determine who is fit for a remote setup? This session will examine the latest obligations of the employer in relation to recent legislation for flexible working arrangements.

     

    • Outlining recent changes to flexible work arrangement requests 
    • Tips on managing flexible work requests to minimise disputes 
    • Determining whether an employee has reasonable business grounds to work flexibly 
    • Understanding the possible outcomes when an employee refutes a denied request 
    • Lessons from The Police Federation of Australia (Victoria Police Branch) v Chief Commissioner of Police T/A Victoria Police [2022] and Ambulance Victoria v Fyfe [2023] 
    Clancy King
    Clancy King

    Partner
    DLA Piper

  • Upcoming changes to fixed- and maximum-term contract provisions

    The use of fixed-term and maximum-term contracts will be significantly limited with anticipated regulations in effect later this year. What are the inclusions and exceptions in the upcoming limitations? 

     

    • What are the exceptions to the fixed-term contract prohibition? 
    • Understanding the anti-avoidance provisions to prevent prohibition  
    • Are there any alternatives to max term contracts? 
    • Preparing a fixed-term contract information statement 
    • What happens if there is a breach of prohibition? 
    Chris Nowland
    Chris Nowland

    Senior Associate
    Herbert Smith Freehills

  • Morning tea and refreshments break
  • Updates to the enterprise bargaining framework and multi-employer agreements

    There have been several significant changes in enterprise bargaining from the latest 

    Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation. How will these changes affect the negotiation and implementation of enterprise agreements?

     

    • What are the new Statement of Principles for proposed enterprise agreements? 
    • Simplifying the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT)  
    • Examining the revised structure of three multi-employer bargaining streams – cooperative workplaces agreements, supported bargaining authorisations, and single-interest employer authorisations 
    • What are the Fair Work Commission’s new methods to deal with a bargaining dispute? 
    • Tips to avoid being ‘roped-in’ to multi-enterprise agreements  
    Gareth Jolly
    Gareth Jolly

    Partner
    MinterEllison

  • Positive duty and workplace sexual harassment prevention

    The latest reforms to the sexual harassment framework in the workplace puts the onus on the employer to prioritise prevention, with more changes expected. This session will examine the changes to employer obligations and worker protection in workplace sexual harassment and how to adopt a preventative approach.   

     

    • Outlining the key reforms to the prohibition against sexual harassment in the workplace 
    • Revising policies for a preventative approach and to remain compliant 
    • Examples of risk mitigation strategies such as regular training, refining the complaints handling procedure and assessing risk 
    • What’s next – additional recommendations from the Respect@Work report 
    Kristen Lopes
    Kristen Lopes

    Partner
    Colin Biggers & Paisley

  • Networking lunch
  • ‘Same job, same pay’ – labour hire update

    The federal government is proposing a new tranche of changes, including the introduction of a ‘same job, same pay’ obligation in the Fair Work Act affecting labour hire. This session will provide clarity on the scope and complexity of the new reform.

     

    • Understanding the use of criteria to determine ‘same job’ 
    • Tips on calculating ‘same pay’  
    • What future changes can we expect for this principle?
    Cilla Robinson
    Cilla Robinson

    Partner
    Clayton Utz

  • Toxic behaviours and psychological risk

    Elements of workplace culture that reduce psychological risk have evolved from the nice to have’ to ‘essential’, and employers have obligations to address unlawful and inappropriate behaviour that creates a psychological risk to employees.      

     

    • What are the latest legal requirements and changes to the law regarding protecting the psychological health of workers in workplaces?   
    • Employer obligations to address workplace behaviours resulting in risks of psychological injury – Lessons from Bersee v. State of Victoria [2022] and Stevens v. DP World Melbourne Ltd [2022]   
    • What HR and business practices and arrangements present the greatest risks? Lessons from organisations and developing trends, including flexible work  
    Alexandra Shields
    Alexandra Shields

    Partner
    Norton Rose Fulbright

  • Afternoon tea and refreshments break
  • The future of work – anticipating changes in the workplace

    There has been a massive change in workplace culture over the past several years, with employers dealing with increasing obligations to remain compliant. What workplace trends are we seeing, and how will this affect employment relations? What legal reforms can we expect in the coming year?

     

    • What are the potential implications of enforcing a 4-day work week? 
    • Clarity on the addition of the Right to Disconnect Bill to the National Employment Standards 
    • Mitigating risks with alternative working models, such as gig workers and remote workers 
    • Determining what constitutes as working ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’ additional hours – lessons from Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union v Dick Stone Pty Ltd [2022] 
    Stephen Hardy
    Stephen Hardy

    Partner
    K&L Gates

  • Discipline and termination: Lessons from the court

    One of Australia’s most prominent lawyers will discuss the key takeaways from the most influential cases of the last 12 months.

     

    • How have judges been ruling on termination cases?  
    • Trends in employee compensation rulings  
    • Lessons from the recent court decisions Alesia Khliustova v Isoton Pty Ltd [2023], United Workers’ Union v Bervar Pty Ltd (No 2) [2023], Mr Martin Pelly v. Ventia Australia Pty Ltd T/A Ventia [2023]. 
    Maree Skinner
    Maree Skinner

    Partner
    Maddocks

  • Q&A: Addressing additional concerns in employment law

    In this interactive session, delegates will have the opportunity to ask the speaker questions relating to various employment law concerns.   

    Maree Skinner
    Maree Skinner

    Partner
    Maddocks

  • Event concludes

VENUE


Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney

What you’ll gain

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    Review the latest cases and development relating to unfair dismissal 

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    Hear from Australia’s most prominent employment lawyers  

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    Update your knowledge on the latest employment law reforms 

CONTACT US


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