Employment & Workplace Relations
Employment and workplace law can be vast, complex and constantly changing. In this modern, digital age, where different modes of working are fast becoming the norm, it has never been more important for both employees, and employers, to understand their legal rights and obligations.
At Murfett Legal, our Employment and Workplace Law team will work with you to provide timely and commercial legal solutions that are tailored to you or your business. We advise on all aspects of employment, human resources (HR), workplace, industrial relations and occupational safety and health law.
We draft workplace documents and policies, prepare enterprise agreements, represent clients in commissions and courts and draft defences to workplace claims such as unfair dismissals and equal employment opportunity (EEO) and discrimination claims.
Employment and workplace
We advise on all aspects of employment and workplace law including employee performance, entitlements and behaviour. We work with clients to draft compliant and effective employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, restraint of trade clauses, workplace manuals, policies and procedures, HR documents, termination letters and performance improvement plans.
Advice is frequently provided on how best to manage workers using email and social media in the workplace and associated issues around confidentiality and intellectual property.
We have expertise in in the WA industrial relations system, including workers and businesses covered by this system such as sole traders and owner-drivers.
Advocacy
We represent both employers and employees in industrial and workplace courts and tribunals, throughout Australia. We regularly appear in the Fair Work Commission and the Commonwealth Courts.
EEO and discrimination
We advise on bullying, harassment, discrimination and appropriate workplace behaviour and frequently prepare claims or responses in these matters. We have represented clients in conciliations and mediations before State and Federal bodies.
Industrial relations
We advise on enterprise bargaining, award compliance and right of entry matters, and have expertise drafting and negotiating enterprise agreements.
Workplace investigations
Conducting an expedient, independent and factual workplace investigation is essential where allegations have arisen in a workplace. We regularly conduct such investigations for our clients and prepare legally privileged investigation reports. Investigations span from allegations of unacceptable workplace behaviours, fraud, sexual harassment to safety breaches and fatalities.
Workplace training
Our team enjoys working with clients to formulate workplace training packages that suit your workforce and minimise your legal risk. We can prepare or deliver EEO training as well as induction and safety training.
Safety
We can advise on occupational safety and health obligations and draft safety documents such as JSAs. We are particularly skilled in investigating safety events and issues, including leading investigations into serious safety breaches or fatalities. We can attend regulator interviews with our clients or otherwise assist in managing safety regulators when subject to an audit or investigation.