Employment Law for Employers
Expert Employment Law & Industrial Relations Services
People are the most important asset in any business. As much as they are also crucial in the operation of your business, employees, as well as independent contractors and casual workers are often your highest expenses in an increasingly regulated workplace.
Laws and regulations in Queensland that apply to the broader working environment are often complicated and extensive. It is important for employers to know their obligations and manage them accordingly.
Employers and employees are both under extreme stress, whilst COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on the workforce.
Managing your people strategy is a complex navigation of HR support and staff development, risk management, an ever-changing competitive landscape and continuous policy, regulatory and statutory change.
BTLawyers are here to assist employers through the process.
Your Employment Law Team in Brisbane
Our brilliant thinking Employment law team consists of Senor Associates Samantha Cathcart and her team.
All are highly experienced and knowledgeable employment lawyers offering Employers between them three critical services that support and help clients develop a successful people strategy:
Our Employment Law Services:
Employment law advice
Provide you with upfront employment law advice on prospects and practical adviceOur unique approach
BTLawyers bring an unwavering commitment to protecting and adding value to our clients’ businesses
Industrial Relations Strategy
Navigate your industrial relations matter strategically, based on experienceOur unique approach
BTLawyers bring an unwavering commitment to protecting and adding value to our clients’ businesses
Employment law experience
Maintain an outcome-focused approach from start to finishOur unique approach
BTLawyers bring an unwavering commitment to protecting and adding value to our clients’ businesses
Expert Employment Law Services
Often known as Industrial Relations, Employment Law is one of the fastest-growing areas of law, covering changes in the workplace through to employment contracts, employee dismissals (including unfair dismissals), workplace disputes, employee warnings, performance advice and even staff redundancies.
Our experienced industrial law and employment experts assist you with the entire lifecycle relating to employment law; from the initial recruitment process, successful workplace relationships, through to the termination of a relationship.
We work with you to achieve the best possible outcome in a cost-efficient and timely manner whilst ensuring you have the full support that comes from quality legal advice and services:
- Provide you with upfront employment law advice on prospects and practical advice;
- Navigate your industrial relations matter strategically, based on experience;
- Maintain an outcome-focused approach from start to finish.
Unfair Dismissal
Before the termination of any staff member’s employment, it is critical to gain legal advice. If not, you may run the risk of being involved in expensive and time-consuming litigation with the dismissed employee. Dismissal may be considered unfair if:
- an employee is dismissed, and
- the dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, and
- the dismissal was not a case of genuine redundancy, and
- dismissed by a small business, the dismissal was not consistent with the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code.
An employee must make a claim to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the date of dismissal.
If the termination of your employee’s employment is not handled properly, they may be eligible to make an application to the Fair Work Commission for an unfair dismissal remedy, claiming an unlawful termination, for a general protection order, or one of the many other claims available to employees.
BTLawyers regularly provide representation to employers defend unfair dismissal claims and re proud of our track record for settling claims early minimising costs to you, as the employer.
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Discrimination can take many forms and comes with severe consequences. Federal discrimination laws protect people from discrimination of the basis of their:
- race, including colour, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status
- sex, pregnancy or marital status and breastfeeding
- age
- disability, or
- sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
To protect your employees, promote a healthy culture and avoid the risks of ligation be proactive, not reactive and speak to the BTLawyers Employment Law Team.
HR Workplace Policy Reviews
As you are dealing with individuals, it is essential that as an employer you properly document and explain your workplace contracts. In addition, implementing practical, clear up to date and compliant workplace policies and procedures will reduce the risk of facing issues that are often associated with employment law.
Unfortunately, most employment frameworks (via HR Workplace policies) are not updated regularly and subsequently do not incorporate changes to your business or your industrial relations environment.
This dynamic team provides your business with either a complete overhaul of your current Human Resources policies and/or procedures, ensuring compliance with both State and Federal legislation.
Changes to legislation are proactively identified, addressed and reflected in employment arrangements for both new and existing employees. We offer a complete overhaul of your current Human Resources policies and/or procedures to ensure compliance with both State and Federal legislation, or we can drill down and focus on specific issues which require attention.
Fixed HR Policy Rapid Review
This fixed fee service allows a quick, timely rapid overview of HR policies and procedures and is suitable for an SME looking to HR policy compliance and best practice at a fixed price.
Workplace Investigations
As an employer, you are required to adhere to strict Workplace health and safety legislation, and you are obliged to ensure the safety of your employees and workers. It has become essential for employers to understand the legislative framework to manage your business and employees under this legislation.
If your business is faced with an incident that requires investigation by workplace health and safety, our expert team is on hand to assist you and guide you through the process. We also provide you with clear advice on risks and compliance requirements.
BTLawyers have supported a range of Employers in handling an increasing number of workplace investigations, where failing in their obligations, risks injury and illness to workers can lead to prosecution by the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor.
Senior Associate Samantha Cathcart manages this specialist area and can guide your business to a resolution of its workplace health and safety matters.
Sam has worked for businesses across various industries in defending workplace health and safety prosecutions. She brings an extensive background of acting for insurers defending workers compensation common law claims on behalf of employers, which has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of safe systems of work and procedures.
Why Work with BTLawyers?
Our clients tell us that they know we’re always in their corner. We genuinely have their best interests at heart, because we’re passionate about what we do. We like to think adventurously but act carefully, always striving to get our clients the best outcome possible while delivering real value for money.