Conference Agenda
SYDNEY: 4 SEPTEMBER
BRISBANE: 11 SEPTEMBER
MELBOURNE: 18 SEPTEMBER
PERTH: 18 SEPTEMBER
8:50
Chairperson Welcome Address
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Employment Law Major Updates including Federal Budget: What it means for business, Funds & Superannuation, Fair Work Act revisions, Right to Disconnect, labour hire arrangement orders, Casual employee/ employee choice
Sydney: Erin Lynch, Partner, Gadens
Brisbane: Meghan De Pinto-Smith, Senior Associate, McKays Solicitors
Melbourne: David Dilger, Director, Edge Legal
Perth: Kate Walawski, Barrister
09:05
Balancing Business, Productivity and the Future of Work
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​Could WFH become a legal right? What if a role cannot be fulfilled with WFH arrangement?
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Reasonable grounds to reject a flexibility request
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Can you offer workplace perks such as more leave to get employees back on site
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Potential Reforms to post-employment restraints
Sydney: Emily Baxter, Partner, Kingston Reid
Brisbane: Sophie Baartz, Senior Associate, Kingston Reid
Melbourne: Brendan Milne, Partner, Kingston Reid
Perth: David Perrozzi, Senior Associate, Kingston Reid
09:50
Respond to the Employment Relationship Reform
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Understanding the Implications of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing
Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 -
Revised Definitions: Explanation of new interpretive principle for determining "employee" and "employer" status and a casual employee
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Overview of opting out for individuals earning above the contractor high income threshold
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Right to Disconnect - developments and challenges
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Preparing for the changes, including contract amendments
Sydney: Talia Firth, Partner, Ashurst
Brisbane: Patrick Lawler, Senior Associate, Ashurst
Melbourne: Emilie Maddox, Counsel, Ashurst
Perth: Melanie Taylor, Counsel, Ashurst
10:35 Morning Tea and Networking Activity
10:55
Data Breaches: Preparing for a Mandatory Notification Scheme
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Preparation and management of data breaches
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Updates on privacy, data protection and cyber security
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Review of recent notable data breaches and lessons learned
Brisbane: Michael Morris, Partner, Gadens
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Privacy in the workplace
Francesca Musumeci, Senior Associate, HWL Ebsworths
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What employers can expect in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) reforms
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Practical takeaways to prepare your business now
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Review of recent cases and lessons learned
Sydney: Sinead Lynch, Partner, Tech and Data, Gadens
Managing Ill and Injured Employees
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With employees under pressure to work despite health issues and the evolving legal requirements related to health and safety, non-discrimination, dismissals, sick leave, and compensation, it is essential to have robust strategies in place when managing ill and injured employees. This session will explore how to avoid financial and reputational risks while ensuring compliance and fairness in your workplace practices.
Melbourne: David Dilger, Director, Edge Legal
But This Is Medicine! Navigating the complexities of medicinal cannabis in the workplace
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My employee is taking medicinal cannabis: what can I do?
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Is the use of medicinal cannabis a complete defence to a workers’ compensation claim?
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Disclosure obligations
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Anti-discrimination considerations
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Considerations and risks associated with dismissal
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Recommendations for drafting an appropriate policy to mitigate against risk and exposure
Perth: Kate Walawski, Barrister
11:40
Addressing Toxic Behaviours in the Workplace, Psychosocial Hazards, Psychological Risks
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Overview of legal requirements and employer obligations pertaining to safeguarding psychological health in the workplace
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Identification of HR and business practices that contribute to psychosocial hazards
and psychological risks
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Distinguishing between toxic workplace cultures, difficult employees & toxic behaviours
Sydney: Elizabeth Radley, Partner, Moray & Agnew
Brisbane: Louise Hogg, Partner, Moray & Agnew
Melbourne: Madelaine August, Partner, Moray & Agnew
Perth: Brian Jackson, Special Counsel, Moray & Agnew
12:25 Lunch
1:10
INTERACTIVE SCENARIO BASED DISCUSSION: Navigating a Workplace Investigation
During this session you will work through a hypothetical scenario where a conflict or allegation has been raised in the workplace. This session is designed to equip you with the essential tools to conduct thorough, impartial, and just investigations. Through interactive engagement, you'll learn step-by-step approaches to ensure accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in your investigative processes.
Sydney: Mitch Robertson, Special Counsel, DLA Piper
Brisbane: Mitch Robertson, Special Counsel, DLA Piper
Melbourne: Rick Catanzariti, Partner, DLA Piper
Perth: Joanne Leveridge, Special Counsel, DLA Piper
1:55
Engaging in Negotiations and Documenting Settlements
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Explore techniques for productive negotiations in employment disputes, focusing on achieving mutually beneficial outcomes
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Discuss various forms of compensation in settlements, including financial and nonfinancial considerations, ensuring fairness and equity
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Learn essential tips for documenting settlement agreements accurately & comprehensively to protect the interests of both parties
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Gain practical insights from recent case studies enhancing negotiation skills and
proficiency in settlement documentation
Sydney: Ben Motro, Partner, Piper Alderman
Brisbane: Tim Capelin, Partner, Piper Alderman
Melbourne: George Haros, Partner, Gadens
Perth: Jo Alilovic, Director, 3D HR Legal; Cara Leavesley, Special Counsel, 3D HR Legal
2:40 Afternoon Tea
3:00
Panel: Promoting Equal Employment Opportunity in Australia
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Definition and significance of EEO
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Prohibition of discrimination
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State responses to anti-discrimination laws
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Responding to a discrimination claim
3:45
INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
Roundtable discussion to work through and resolve a common, yet complex
HR issue whilst increasing awareness of relevant employment laws and policies.
Possible areas of discussion:
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Strategies for Driving Progress on Gender Equality
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Awards and Enterprise Bargaining Agreements
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Inclusive recruitment and flexibility during the interview and hiring process
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Contract management: When contracts go wrong
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Determining what constitutes as working ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’
additional hours
Sydney: Kaushalya Mataraaratchi, Special Counsel, Gilbert & Tobin
Cynthia Elachi, Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
Jessica Geelan, Senior Associate, MinterEllison
Megan Cant, Partner, Holding Redlich
Brisbane: Andrew Cardell-Ree, Partner, Thomson Geer
Laura Hillman, Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
Senior Associate, MinterEllison
Melbourne: Claire Brown, Principal Solicitor, KHQ Lawyers
Sarah Pain, Senior Associate, Clayton Utz
Alishia Prpich, Special Counsel, MinterEllison
Perth: Jo Alilovic, Director, 3D HR Legal
Giacomo Giorgi, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Gemma Wheeler-Carver, Senior Associate, Kennedy Vinciullo
Briony Pole, Partner, MinterEllison
4:30 Chairperson’s Key Takeaways and Closing Address
4:40 End of Conference