On the couch
On the couch
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We have a very comfortable couch at Justitia, which is where we have our best discussions. This is what we’re talking about at the moment.
Investigations: We need to get better at responding
Put yourself in the shoes of a respondent in a workplace investigation. There you are, working away in your role and most likely thinking you’re doing good work, and then someone complains about your conduct to HR. You’re called into a meeting and formally advised that an independent investigator – a lawyer even – has […]
Stop bullying orders – an injunctive measure for disciplinary processes?
The interaction between disciplinary processes and allegations of bullying is a difficult issue for many organisations. We often hear of employees making complaints of bullying or discrimination whilst they are subject to an investigation, performance management or some other disciplinary process. The disciplinary or performance management process – provided it is properly instituted – generally […]
Tougher stance on underpayment contraventions
This year we have observed that the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and the courts appear to be adopting a tougher stance on underpayments and similar contraventions, especially in relation to ‘vulnerable’ workers. A significant case (handed down late April and outlined below) indicates that the Courts are willing to extend their reach when attributing liability […]
Investigations: On ambushing, lie detection and a feather
In 2016 I was lucky enough to participate in a week-long training course for workplace investigators run by the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) in Ontario, Canada. AWI is an association for US-based workplace investigators. This was the first training course they’d run in conjunction with their Canadian branch, the Canadian Association of Workplace Investigators […]
I’m not biased! Well yes, you are.
The truth is that we all have biases in our thinking. From birth, our minds develop quick cognitive pathways that help us to process information that we cannot rigorously analyse every time. These pathways are built on associations. When we observe a pattern of behaviour often enough, our minds will make the associations so quickly […]
Age discrimination in employment: an old, persistent problem
Despite Australia’s rapidly aging population, it is increasingly difficult for older Australians to find – and keep – jobs. The former Age Discrimination Commissioner, the Hon Susan Ryan AO, succinctly summed up the conundrum at the launch of the Willing to Work Inquiry (Inquiry) report in March this year: “A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics […]
Justitia’s new website: looking back, thinking forward
It seems there is nothing like the development of a new website to prompt a deep period of reflection across an organisation. Over the past few months we have contemplated all the usual questions: What is our history? What are our values, our objectives for the future? Is that font too serious, too playful or […]
