The Friday Workplace Briefing

Hosted by Andrew Douglas

Business Management News

Website RSS feed

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast to update the Australian business community on the most significant developments, issues, and cases across workplace law, with practical suggestions to protect your business and people.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 14, 202627 min

The FWA and Australians Working Overseas How Far Does Our Workplace Legislation Extend Beyond Australia?

The FWA and Australians Working Overseas: How Far Does Our Workplace Legislation Extend Beyond Australia?As businesses increasingly engage employees who live and work outside Australia, understanding the reach of Australian workplace laws has never been more important.In this podcast Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore the circumstances in which overseas-based employees may still be covered by the Fair Work Act, safety, workers’ compensation and other workplace laws. We also discuss how there can be dual obligations with the country of residence further complicating people management.Join us as we examine how far Australia's workplace laws can extend beyond our borders and what employers need to know when managing an increasingly global workforce.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 7, 202629 min

Annual Wage Review and what it Means Understanding the Impact of the FWC Wage Case on Award Employees, EA Employees and Common Law Contracts

Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they discuss the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review and what it means for employers.The session will cover the impact of the wage review decision on award-covered employees, enterprise agreement employees, and employees engaged under common law contracts, along with key considerations ahead of the 1 July 2026 changes.Don't miss this timely update on one of the most significant workplace developments of the year.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 31, 202625 min

What is Happening in The Bullying Jurisdiction? Stopping Weaponisation

Workplace bullying remains a key focus for employers across Victoria, with ongoing developments in workplace health and safety obligations, psychosocial hazard regulations, and employer responsibilities continuing to shape the legal landscape.As regulators and courts place greater attention on workplace conduct and psychosocial risks, organisations need to stay informed about what these changes mean in practice. In this update, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo examine the latest developments in Victoria’s bullying jurisdiction and emerging compliance expectations.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 24, 202629 min

The FWC Stop Sexual Harassment Jurisdiction Just Ordered Compensation Against Individuals – in the Second Decision in Two Weeks the Federal Circuit Court Made Significant orders for Compensation Against Two Businesses for non-touch Sexual Harassment and Two Individuals.

Recent decisions from the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Circuit Court have sent a powerful message to employers and individual workers alike — sexual harassment liability is expanding rapidly, and the financial consequences are becoming increasingly significant. In the second major decision delivered within two weeks, substantial compensation orders were made against individual respondents, including in matters involving non-physical sexual harassment. These decisions reinforce the growing legal, reputational, and psychosocial safety risks facing workplaces that fail to properly prevent and respond to inappropriate conduct.Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan will discuss these important developments, the emerging legal trends, and what employers should be doing now to manage risk and meet their workplace obligations.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 16, 202623 min

Does an Investigation into Out of Hours Conduct need to be Delayed Until Criminal Proceedings Complete?

When misconduct happens outside of work hours, employers are often faced with a difficult question: should a workplace investigation pause while criminal proceedings are underway?In this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo unpack the legal boundaries of investigating employee conduct outside the workplace, including when private behaviour can become a workplace issue and justify disciplinary action.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 3, 202630 min

When is a Workplace Right not a Workplace Right? When a Complaint is not Made in Good Faith and For an Ulterior Purpose

When is a workplace right not really a workplace right?It’s a question more organisations are facing as complaints increase - particularly when they may not be raised in good faith. Can you recognise when a workplace right complaint is legitimate, and not made for an ulterior purpose?Understanding the difference is critical to avoid harm to your organisation. Misusing workplace rights can create significant legal and cultural risks, yet handling these situations incorrectly can be just as damaging.Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they explore where the line is drawn, what the law says, and how employers can respond with confidence.Stay tuned for practical insights to help you navigate this complex area.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 27, 202627 min

When directors rely upon others, They are still Liable for Harm

We’re pleased to share our latest podcast episode, where Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan explore how reliance by directors on others can create a false sense of security. However, reliance does not remove responsibility. Directors remain ultimately accountable, and where things go wrong, they may still be held liable.Understanding where reliance ends and responsibility begins is critical in today’s risk environment.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 19, 202623 min

Media, Employees and Direction to not Use Employers’ Infrastructure What is a Lawful and Reasonable Direction in Respect of Media Comment

We’re excited to share our latest podcast episode, where we examine the much-vexed issue of our employee communications with the media - both mainstream and social media.In this episode, Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore what this means in practice, by looking at the risks, responsibilities, and real-world implications for both employees and organisations. From navigating media engagement to understanding appropriate use of workplace systems, the conversation offers practical insights you won’t want to miss.Whether you're an employer shaping policy or an employee wanting to stay informed, this discussion will help clarify expectations and spark important conversations.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 12, 202617 min

Safety Regulator Attack Misconduct Investigations

In our latest video, Andrew Douglas and a special guest cover an important and often misunderstood topic: Safety Regulator misconduct investigations.Another case demonstrates safety regulators’ march into general workplace people management—this time focusing on the psychological hazards of investigating misconduct.It’s scary how far psychological hazard law has extended into the day-to-day management of employees. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 29, 202634 min

Rise in Penalty Award for Serious Injuries in Safety

There has been a rise in penalty awards for serious workplace safety injuries, bringing increased attention to how organisations manage risk, compliance, and accountability. For many businesses, this shift carries significant financial and reputational implications, making it more important than ever to stay informed and prepared.In this episode, Kim McLagan and Jim Babalis share their perspectives on what’s driving these higher penalties and how regulators and courts are responding. They also discuss what this means in practical terms for employers, including where businesses are most exposed and the steps that can be taken now to reduce risk.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.