Australia: Discrimination, Disability & Sexual Harassment

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Employment law and labour law articles and thought leadership, podcasts, videos and webinars from expert sources across the legal world. Explore articles covering topics such as Discrimination, Employee Benefits and Compensation, Health and Safety, Unfair/Wrongful Dismissal, Whistleblowing, Employment Rights, Outsourcing and Redundancy.

Gillham Ruling Highlights Importance Of A Clear Policy Regarding Political Messages

The Federal Court's decision in Gillham v Melbourne Symphony Orchestra examines whether state anti-discrimination laws constitute 'workplace laws' under the Fair Work Act, and whether expressing political opinions during a performance can trigger general protections. This case explores the boundaries of contractor protections and the interplay between federal workplace legislation and state-based discrimination laws.

Australia Employment

HR

Holding Redlich

Enhanced Victimisation Protections Under The Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW) - Practical Guidance For Councils

Recent amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW) (Act), have significantly expanded victimisation provisions, which are set to have a direct impact on employers, including local and state government entities. This article aims to highlight relevant legislation, provide practical steps and examples to support compliance and risk management.

Australia Employment

BP

Bartier Perry

AI Wearables In The Workplace: What Employers Need To Know

This article examines the rise of AI wearables—particularly AI-enabled smart glasses—in the workplace, covering both employer-driven use cases (such as logistics, healthcare, and remote operations) and employee-driven use (including accessibility, personal devices brought to work and covert recording).

Australia Employment

KL

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

The Dynamism Of Serious Misconduct

Serious misconduct is often spoken about as though it were fixed and well understood. In practice, it is anything but static. While conduct such as theft, fraud and sexual harassment remain clear examples, case law shows an expanding and more nuanced approach to what may justify summary dismissal.

Australia Employment

BP

Bartier Perry

Workplace Sexual Harassment, Why Employers Must Look Beyond Their Own Staff.

Australia Employment

CO

Carroll & O'Dea

Termination Of Employment: Key Lessons From Recent Fair Work Commission Decisions

Australia Employment

M

McCabes

Re-examining The Prohibition Of Gender Identity Discrimination

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

NSW Workers Compensation Reforms Now In Force

Australia Employment

KL

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Key Employment Law Changes Taking Effect 1 July 2026

Australia Employment

M

McCabes

Who Can Be Liable For Workplace Sexual Harassment Under The Fair Work Act? - Expanding The Frontline Of Workplace Sexual Harassment Liability

Australia Employment

GC

Gilchrist Connell

New Legislation To Reshape Commonwealth Procurement And Enterprise Bargaining Incentives

Australia Government

KL

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Briefing Note - New Laws In Victoria Restrict NDAs In Workplace Sexual Harassment Cases

Australia Employment

KL

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Attack Is Generally Not The Best Means Of Defence In Sexual Harassment Litigation

Australia Employment

GC

Gilchrist Connell

Victorian Work From Home Bill Introduced

Australia Employment

KG

K&L Gates LLP

Current Visa Processing Times: June 2026

Australia Immigration

IL

Interstaff Immigration Agency

Judge Issues “cautionary Tale About The Dangers Of Befriending Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Chatbots Who Masquerade As Legal Advisors”

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

How Australia Prioritises Partner And Family Visa Processing From 25 July 2026

Australia Immigration

IL

Interstaff Immigration Agency

Essential ESG: Episode 32 – ESG Litigation Trends And What They Mean For Australian Businesses (Podcast)

Australia Litigation

CC

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Employment Relations Podcast – It's AI, My Dear Watson! The HR Field Guide To Gen-AI In Investigations And Beyond

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

Can A Worker Lodge Multiple Claims After Alleged Sexual Harassment And/or Discrimination At Work?

A recent Fair Work Commission decision provides important guidance about when individuals can pursue multiple legal claims arising from alleged workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.

Australia Employment

CO

Carroll & O'Dea

Sexual Harassment In The Workplace: Court Imposes $116,000 In Penalties And Compensation Against Contractor And Customer

A recent Federal Court decision confirms that workplace sexual harassment protections extend beyond traditional employer-employee relationships to include contractors and customers. The case examines how substantial compensation and penalties can be imposed when harassment occurs in connection with work, regardless of the perpetrator's formal relationship to the business.

Australia Employment

CG

Cooper Grace Ward

Proposed Sex Discrimination Act Amendments: What Could This Mean For Employers In Australia?

Recent public debate following the Federal Court’s decision in Giggle v Tickle has prompted a private member’s bill introduced on 25 May 2026 by a National Party MP seeking to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984...

Australia Employment

SS

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Record Damages Awarded For Disability Discrimination

The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has awarded $55,000 in compensation to a worker who was discriminated against on the grounds of her disability.

Australia Employment

BN

Barry Nilsson

Can My Employer Change My Role After I Return From Parental Leave?

Australia Employment

P

PCL Lawyers

So You Think Your Employer May Have Unlawfully Discriminated Against or Fired You – What to Do Next

Australia Employment

SH

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight

More than harmless fun: How Valentine's Day can blur the line between celebration and harassment

Australia Employment

S

Swaab

Delayed PTSD and dual employer liability: Insights from BHP v Thiess

Australia Employment

GC

Gilchrist Connell

Not acceptable in any workplace": The Fair Work Commission condemns a worker's "egregious" sexual remarks over two-way radio

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

Do law firms need a ‘Valentine's Day clause' in their sexual harassment policy?

Australia Employment

S

Swaab

Valentine's Day in the Workplace (2026 Edition)

Australia Employment

S

Swaab

Higher general damages awards for sexual harassment claims are here to stay

Australia Employment

GC

Gilchrist Connell

Criminal record checks at work: relevance, spent convictions and privacy risks for employers

Australia Employment

PP

Pointon Partners

Neurodiversity In The Workplace

Australia Employment

K

Kennedys

Valentine's Day in the Workplace (2026 Edition)

The culture of the workplace should inform the practical approach to be adopted by the employer.

Australia Employment

S

Swaab

Higher general damages awards for sexual harassment claims are here to stay

Sexual harassment cases now attract higher damages as courts penalise systemic failures & inadequate responses.

Australia Employment

GC

Gilchrist Connell

Criminal record checks at work: relevance, spent convictions and privacy risks for employers

Risks associated with criminal record checks arise from how & when they are requested, how the information is used & the decisions made upon them.

Australia Employment

PP

Pointon Partners

Neurodiversity In The Workplace

There is growing awareness and discussion of the incidence of neurodiversity in the community and the impact in the workplace, and significant legal issues can arise.

Australia Employment

K

Kennedys

All I Want For Christmas Is An Unproblematic Christmas Party!

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

Workplace Christmas Parties: Celebration Or Legal Minefield?

Employers are having to navigate the legal minefield that has been caused by their employees' conduct during work-related social functions, particularly sexual harassment.

Australia Employment

M

McCabes

Local Council Liable To Employee For Psychiatric Injury From Fake Email

This decision serves as a reminder that employers may be liable for injuries to their employees occasioned by a malevolent act of a third party.

Australia Employment

BN

Barry Nilsson

Workplace Sexual Harassment: Victoria Calls Time On NDAs

Victoria has called time on non-disclosure agreements regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

Australia Employment

BN

Barry Nilsson

Victoria Moves To Restrict NDAs In Workplace Sexual Harassment Cases

Employers in the public and private sector should review their current use of NDAs.

Australia Employment

HR

Holding Redlich

Workplace bullying vs serious misconduct

Australia Employment

BP

Bartier Perry

New IR Act amendments place greater burden on employers in victimisation cases

Australia Employment

BP

Bartier Perry

Harassment Prevention: Are You Doing Enough?

Australia Employment

CG

Clifford Gouldson Lawyers

Ready Or Not, Here They Come: The Victorian Psychosocial Regulations And Compliance Code Explained

Australia Employment

KG

K&L Gates LLP

TWU v Qantas – Unions As "Private Regulators" And The Increasing Financial Risk Associated With Employment Laws

Australia Employment

KW

King & Wood Mallesons

Disability Discrimination Lawyer: Your Rights As A PWD

Australia Employment

JS

JB Solicitors

Neurodiversity in the workplace – important legal considerations for employers

Australia Employment

K

Kennedys

How Australia Is Transforming Workplace Harassment Prevention

Australia Employment

IL

Ius Laboris

Employment Law In Australia - An Overview

Australia Employment

LS

Lewis Silkin

Federal Court Awards $305,000 in Landmark Sexual Harassment Decision

Australia Employment

PP

Pointon Partners

Bad Taste: Federal Court awards $305,000 to former employee of a fast-food restaurant subjected to sexual harassment by the owner

Australia Employment

BN

Barry Nilsson

Safety-net Changes For Degree-qualified Workers: When Something You Didn't Know About Can Hurt You

Australia Employment

PA

Piper Alderman

Employee Awarded $305k In Record Sexual Harassment Payout

Australia Employment

S

Swaab

Managing Cross Border Sexual Harassment Investigations In Australia And Asia––10 Key Considerations For Employers (Part 3)

Worldwide Employment

SS

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Employment law changes: What you need to know

Australia Employment

JH

Jewell Hancock

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Latest Videos

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John Love on 1079 Life breakfast with Matt Bajjali - work Christmas parties

MO

Mellor Olsson Lawyers

[Podcast] Hot Legal Topics - Episode 1: Employment law

RM

Roam Migration Law

Federal Election Podcast And Video Series: Workplace Reforms

HS

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

CU LAB: Bullying on employers' social media - who's responsible?

CU

Clayton Utz

Workplace Mid-Year Review – 2016

CC

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

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