The Friday Workplace Briefing

Hosted by Andrew Douglas

Business Management News

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Nov 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

November 6, 202623 min

Work From Home – Is it a Right, a Mere Request and Business Reasons to Refuse

In this Friday Workplace Briefing, Andrew and Monnette Samo discuss the new working-from-home provisions under the Clerks - Private Sector Award, how the surge in flexible work applications will leverage the new provisions and what the changes are to the Award. They also answer the question of who can request WFH, how flexible work requests will be used and how to respond. “Disclaimer: This briefing is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Before acting or relying on its contents, please contact us at admin@fcwlawyers.com.au or your legal adviser to obtain advice specific to your circumstances.” Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video he re. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 30, 202629 min

Migration, New Restrictions, Exploitation and Commercial Risk

In this Friday Workplace Briefing, Andrew and Madelyn Hassan discuss the dangers of reduced migration to business, new migration restrictions suggested by Labor and Liberal and how to manage it when it happens underpayment risks and more. “Disclaimer: This briefing is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Before acting or relying on its contents, please contact us at admin@fcwlawyers.com.au or your legal adviser to obtain advice specific to your circumstances.” Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 22, 202628 min

When Your Angry Employee Hits the Ai Button the Endless Nonsensical Railings of Ai Claims and Defences and How to Manage Them

The Friday Workplace Briefing discusses the weaponization of AI in employee complaints and claims and how employers can defend themselves, as well as defeating General Protections claims by quarantining the decision maker. Andrew and Kim also discuss new changes in Qld IR law aligning Qld IR with the rest of Australia, and Workers’ Compensation, including similar new rules around psychological claims to Vic and NSW. “Disclaimer: This briefing is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Before acting or relying on its contents, please contact us at admin@fcwlawyers.com.au or your legal adviser to obtain advice specific to your circumstances.” Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 15, 202628 min

Is AI the Death of HR or Its New Super-Power?

Is AI the death of HR or its new superpower? Andrew Douglas and Tanya Maithani discuss the implications of AI in the workforce as it continues to grow. As AI transforms the way HR teams recruit, manage performance and plan their workforce, it leaves us to question whether human judgement still plays a fundamental role and whether HR will survive it. The good news is it will survive and flourish at a high level, but it will massively change the way HR is practised. “ Disclaimer: This briefing is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Before acting or relying on its contents, please contact us at admin@fcwlawyers.com.au or your legal adviser to obtain advice specific to your circumstances.” Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 11, 202618 min

New Victorian Law Coming Empowering Reps and Doubling Reckless Endangerment Penalties

Victoria passes safety law changes that double prison time for employees and directors Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan discuss the new Victorian Law coming to Double Reckless Endangerment Penalties and how this legislative change will empower Safety Representatives. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 4, 202619 min

The Complexity of Managing Performance in a Psychologically and Culturally Safe Manner.

Managing performance in today’s diverse workplace is increasingly complex. Andrew Douglas and Tom Daly discuss the growing importance of cultural and psychological safety when managing employee performance, and the key considerations for employers. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 27, 202622 min

Managing Complex Disability Adjustments and What happens when it goes Wrong.

What happens when a disability adjustment becomes complex — and what happens when things go wrong? In this episode, Andrew Douglas & Tanya Maithani discuss Managing Complex Disability Adjustments and What Happens When It Goes Wrong , sharing their perspectives on the challenges that can arise and what can happen when things don’t go as planned. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 17, 202618 min

Do You really Love Christmas-after Parties and Discipline

With Christmas functions fast approaching, a recent Fair Work Commission decision is a timely reminder that the work function may not necessarily end when the official event does. What happens when the celebrations continue, things go wrong, and employee conduct becomes a workplace issue? In our latest podcast, Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan discuss the recent decision in Bell v Arts Centre Melbourne and what it means for employers heading into the festive season. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 13, 202622 min

The Need for a Factual Nexus

When is a flexible work request genuinely connected to an employee’s age? Andrew Douglas and Monnette Samo discuss a recent Fair Work Commission decision that explores this question and what it means for employers and employees. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 6, 202622 min

First Case on Right to Disconnect Shows How Tough It is for Employees to Win

The Right to Disconnect - What does it actually mean? The first case to consider the new right to disconnect provisions provides important insight into what employers and employees need to know. Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they discuss Kalleske v McGuire and explore the critical distinction between unreasonable out-of-hours contact and the consequences of not responding. Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.