balllogo
  • Expertise
    • Personal
      • Property & Conveyancing
      • Wills & Estates
      • Personal Injury
      • Dispute Resolution
      • Development, Planning & Environment
      • Employment & Workplace
    • Business
      • Co-operatives
      • Business Lifecycle
      • Running Your Business
      • Buying or Selling Your Business
      • Dispute Resolution
      • Planning & Environment
      • Managing Employees
      • Property
    • Government
      • NSW Local Government
      • ACT Government
      • Federal Government
    • Not-for-profit
      • The Not-for-profit Journey
      • Running Your Not-for-profit
      • Dispute Resolution
      • Planning & Environment
      • Managing Employees
      • Property
  • Team
  • Insights
  • About
    • Our Partnerships
    • Costs
    • Careers
    • HR Breakfast Club
      • Monthly Forum
      • Fact Sheets
      • Policies & Contracts
      • Podcasts
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
Contact Us

Insights

  1. Home
  2. Insights
Filter by Tags
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    06 Oct, 2026

    What is a DEI Workplace? Recent Reforms to the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Cth)
    On Friday 18 September 2026, Chelsea Francis-Hartman, Associate in BAL Lawyers’ Employment Law and Investigations team, presented this ...
  • Beyond the contract: I’m a public servant. What are my rights at work?
    Employment

    28 Sep, 2026

    Beyond the contract: I’m a public servant. What are my rights at work?
    Public sector employment is no ordinary employment. What does that mean for your rights at work?
  • Can lawyers have side hustles? The law of secondary employment
    Employment

    10 Sep, 2026

    Can lawyers have side hustles? The law of secondary employment
    In the modern workplace, the idea of having one employer and a single role is increasingly unusual. The gig economy, the cost of living and ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    07 Sep, 2026

    Enterprise Agreements: What Employers Need to Know
    The August 2026 edition of the HR Breakfast Club, led by Special Counsel Ash Borg and assisted by Lawyer Ed Kang, examined enterprise ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    04 Aug, 2026

    WorkSafe ACT: Update
    At the July 2026 HR Breakfast Club discussion, Director Bill Pardy presented an update on the activities of WorkSafe ACT, covering the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    09 Jul, 2026

    Workplace Risk and Corporate Governance
    At the June 2026 HR Breakfast Club address, BAL Director Bill Pardy spoke on the topic of ‘Workplace Risk and Corporate Governance’. The ...
  • How do we make it safer to speak up in Canberra?
    Employment

    02 Jul, 2026

    How do we make it safer to speak up in Canberra?
    In 1994, the Australian Capital Territory became one of the first places in the world to enact a standalone law to protect public sector ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    18 May, 2026

    Back to Basics: General Protections
    BAL Employment Team Senior Associate Rebecca Richardson presented to attendees on Friday 15 May 2026 at the latest BAL Lawyers HR Breakfast ...
  • With APS redundancies looming, what do you need to know about your rights?
    Employment

    04 May, 2026

    With APS redundancies looming, what do you need to know about your rights?
    With the federal budget imminent, there is growing concern about the prospect of increasing redundancies in the Australian Public Service. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    30 Apr, 2026

    Organisational Responses to Workplace Violence
    BAL Employment Team Director Bill Pardy entertained a small but select school holiday crowd on Friday 17 April 2026 at the latest BAL ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    02 Apr, 2026

    Getting the Employment Contract Right: The Nuts and Bolts
    The March 2026 edition of the HR Breakfast Club, led by Special Counsel Ash Borg, examined the critical role of the employment contract in ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Mar, 2026

    Handling Misconduct for Employers
    At BAL Lawyers’ HR Breakfast Club event on Friday 20 February 2026, Legal Director John Wilson led an engaging discussion regarding ...
  • Starting an APS graduate position? Here’s what you need to know
    Employment

    17 Feb, 2026

    Starting an APS graduate position? Here’s what you need to know
    What APS graduates and new public servants need to know about their employment rights Every February brings a great migration to Canberra – ...
  • Employment Law Lessons For Employers: Key Takeaways From 2025
    Employment

    19 Dec, 2025

    Employment Law Lessons For Employers: Key Takeaways From 2025
    INTRODUCTION 2025 has been a significant year for the ongoing evolution of Australia’s employment law landscape. Following considerable ...
  • The Major Public Service Themes of 2025, and What to Expect in the New Year
    Employment

    09 Dec, 2025

    The Major Public Service Themes of 2025, and What to Expect in the New Year
    What will 2026 bring for the APS? ‘Tis the season. Following a busy year for the public sector, including an election and a number of major ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    01 Dec, 2025

    HRBC Recap: Year in Review
    At November’s HR Breakfast Club event, Director Bill Pardy and Special Counsel Ash Borg from BAL’s Employment Law & Investigations team ...
  • Better Whistleblower Protections for the Public Sector are Finally on the Way
    Employment

    11 Nov, 2025

    Better Whistleblower Protections for the Public Sector are Finally on the Way
    New reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act aim to enhance whistleblower protections in the public sector, fostering accountability ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 Nov, 2025

    HRBC Recap: Review of the ALERA National Conference
    At the HR Breakfast Club event on Friday 17 October 2025, BAL Director Bill Pardy and Special Counsel Ash Borg conducted an informal ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    07 Oct, 2025

    From Compliance to Care: Embedding Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace
    At September’s HR Breakfast Club event, BAL’s guest speaker Regina Neary (Executive Director of Sásta Consulting) shared her expertise on ...
  • What to Do if You’re Being Bullied in the APS
    Employment

    30 Sep, 2025

    What to Do if You’re Being Bullied in the APS
    The most recent State of the Service report, published by the Australian Public Service Commission late last year, suggests that bullying ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    01 Sep, 2025

    Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: Workers Compensation, Capacity and Terminating Employment
    Led by Director Bill Pardy from the Employment Law & Investigations team, the August 2025 edition of the HR Breakfast Club addressed ...
  • Legal Risks of Excessive Hours at Work
    Employment

    26 Aug, 2025

    Legal Risks of Excessive Hours at Work
    Introduction Earlier this year, a law firm in Melbourne was ordered to pay over $50,000 for a range of exploitative labour practices ...
  • When Does a Conflict of Interest in the APS Constitute Corruption?
    Employment

    04 Aug, 2025

    When Does a Conflict of Interest in the APS Constitute Corruption?
    The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s finding late last month that a senior public servant acted corruptly in getting her future ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    01 Aug, 2025

    The Cost of Disgruntled Employees – When to Sensibly Settle?
    Led by Senior Associate Rebecca Richardson from the Employment Law & Investigations team, the July 2025 edition of the HR Breakfast ...
  • Offshore Workers, Australian Rights: Lessons from Pascua v Doessel
    Employment

    25 Jul, 2025

    Offshore Workers, Australian Rights: Lessons from Pascua v Doessel
    The February 2025 decision of the Fair Work Commission in Pascua v Doessel Group Pty Ltd[1] has recently sparked headlines surrounding ...
  • The Right to Disconnect: Can Employees ‘Disconnect’ from Misconduct Procedures?
    Employment

    17 Jul, 2025

    The Right to Disconnect: Can Employees ‘Disconnect’ from Misconduct Procedures?
    The recent introduction of the “right to disconnect” provisions into the Fair Work Act 2009 represents a significant step towards ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    03 Jul, 2025

    Avoiding the Pitfalls of Unfair Dismissal
    The June 2025 edition of BAL Lawyer’s HR Breakfast Club, led by Special Counsel Ash Borg, delved into strategies for employers to manage ...
  • Labor’s Next Big IR Reform Will Affect The Public Service, Too
    Employment

    24 Jun, 2025

    Labor’s Next Big IR Reform Will Affect The Public Service, Too
    Labor's upcoming industrial relations reform will reshape workforce mobility, impacting both public and private sectors, despite direct ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    06 Jun, 2025

    Whistleblower Protections and Upcoming Reform – What Employers Need to Know
    At the May 2025 HR Breakfast Club, Kieran Pender – senior lawyer, academic, and whistleblowing expert – shed light on the evolving legal ...
  • The New Albanese Government and Public Sector Industrial Relations Reform
    Employment

    29 May, 2025

    The New Albanese Government and Public Sector Industrial Relations Reform
    What Will the New Albanese Government Mean for Public Sector Industrial Relations Reform? Had Peter Dutton been elected Prime Minister ...
  • Seven BAL lawyers recognised on the 2026 Best Lawyers List
    Business Planning & Environment Litigation & Dispute Resolution Employment

    16 May, 2025

    Seven BAL lawyers recognised on the 2026 Best Lawyers List
    We are delighted to announce that seven of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2026 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia. As well ...
  • ‘Competence not perfection’: When Does Poor Performance Justify Dismissal?
    Employment

    30 Apr, 2025

    ‘Competence not perfection’: When Does Poor Performance Justify Dismissal?
    ‘Competence not perfection’: When Does Poor Performance Justify Dismissal? To err is human; to forgive, divine, Alexander Pope famously ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Apr, 2025

    Flexible Work Under the Fair Work Act – What Employers Need to Know
    Discover essential insights for employers on flexible work arrangements under the Fair Work Act, including legal frameworks, recent case ...
  • Here’s what the law says about Peter Dutton’s plans for the public service
    Employment

    07 Apr, 2025

    Here’s what the law says about Peter Dutton’s plans for the public service
    Explore the legal implications of Peter Dutton's proposed job cuts and work-from-home reversals in the Australian Public Service. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    24 Mar, 2025

    Should we keep it casual? – Practical advice for employers
    In the March 2025 edition of the BAL Lawyers HR Breakfast Club forum, Special Counsel Bill Pardy from the Employment Law & ...
  • Can public servants participate in the election? Yes, but there are some pitfalls
    Employment

    05 Mar, 2025

    Can public servants participate in the election? Yes, but there are some pitfalls
    Public servants can participate in elections, but must navigate potential conflicts and adhere to impartiality rules. Learn about the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    28 Feb, 2025

    Navigating Psychosocial risks in the workplace: Key WHS insights you need to know
    In February’s first BAL Lawyers HR Breakfast Club for 2025, Bill Pardy from the Employment Law & Investigations team led an informative ...
  • ‘Circle of Life’ Changes: New Protected Attributes Under Consideration
    Employment

    10 Feb, 2025

    ‘Circle of Life’ Changes: New Protected Attributes Under Consideration
    The SJBP Review Draft Report recommends considering perimenopause and menopause as protected attributes in the Fair Work Act, aimed at ...
  • What happens if an old criminal conviction is used against you at work?
    Employment

    03 Feb, 2025

    What happens if an old criminal conviction is used against you at work?
    Discover the legal implications of using past criminal convictions in employment decisions, and learn about protections under Australian ...
  • Reasonable working hours: our culture of overwork
    Employment

    28 Jan, 2025

    Reasonable working hours: our culture of overwork
    Explore Australia's evolving culture of overwork, examining legal frameworks and notable cases that challenge the reasonableness of ...
  • What’s happened and what’s ahead for the APS
    Employment

    24 Jan, 2025

    What’s happened and what’s ahead for the APS
    Explore key developments in APS employment law, upcoming challenges, and reforms for 2025, including workplace protections and industrial ...
  • What are the limits of public sector impartiality?
    Employment

    23 Jan, 2025

    What are the limits of public sector impartiality?
    Explore the complexities of public sector impartiality, balancing political rights of employees with the need for a neutral public service ...
  • Whistleblower protection reform required to ensure public sector integrity
    Employment

    21 Jan, 2025

    Whistleblower protection reform required to ensure public sector integrity
    Whistleblower protections in Australia require urgent reform to enhance public sector integrity. A comprehensive overhaul is essential for ...
  • Managing Disciplinary Processes and the Impact on Employees: Elisha v Vision Australia
    Employment

    20 Jan, 2025

    Managing Disciplinary Processes and the Impact on Employees: Elisha v Vision Australia
    Explore the implications of Elisha v Vision Australia as the High Court examines employer duties in disciplinary processes and the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    19 Dec, 2024

    Christmas Party Shenanigans: How to prevent things from getting out of hand and how to handle the fallout if things do
    December’s HR Breakfast Club meeting featured a discussion about issues that can arise at Christmas parties and End of Year work ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    25 Nov, 2024

    Workers Compensation Claims – A Primer for Employers
    In November’s HR Breakfast Club, Bill Pardy from the Employment Law & Investigations team led an informative session for HR ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Business Employment

    22 Oct, 2024

    The Right to Disconnect
    In October’s HR Breakfast Club, Ash Borg from the Employment team led a compelling discussion on the new Right to Disconnect legislation, ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    27 Aug, 2024

    Roundtable Discussion: Current Issues in the Workplace with John Wilson
    The July HR Breakfast Club featured a compelling roundtable discussion between HR professionals and Legal Director John Wilson. Due to the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    08 Jul, 2024

    Psychological Safety and Psychosocial Workplace Risks
    In June’s HR Breakfast Club, we hosted guest speaker, Simone Ey from Citron Consulting. Her engaging presentation focused on psychosocial ...
  • A cautionary tale to managing conflicts of interest in the APS
    Employment

    21 Jun, 2024

    A cautionary tale to managing conflicts of interest in the APS
    Much concern has been expressed of late about conflicts of interest in the public sector consulting, following controversy at some of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    05 Jun, 2024

    Unlocking the Future of Casual Employment: Navigating Recent Changes
    In May’s HR Breakfast Club, Ash Borg of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed the laws around casual conversion, and how ...
  • Another Loophole Closed? Criminalising Wage Theft
    Employment

    01 May, 2024

    Another Loophole Closed? Criminalising Wage Theft
    In recent years, ‘wage theft’ has featured prominently in the headlines with reports stating that underpayments have reached ‘record highs. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Apr, 2024

    Flexible Work Arrangements: Managing Employment and WHS Risks
    In this month’s complimentary HR Breakfast Club Forum, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan presented a valuable exploration into recent ...
  • What new public servants need to know about their rights
    Employment

    08 Apr, 2024

    What new public servants need to know about their rights
    Each February brings a great migration to Canberra, as new graduates enter agencies across the Australian Public Service. Share houses are ...
  • Workplace Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Employment Law Developments
    Employment

    08 Apr, 2024

    Workplace Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Employment Law Developments
    Explore recent developments in employment law that enhance workplace flexibility and work-life balance, including flexible working requests ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    21 Mar, 2024

    Right to Disconnect
    In this month’s complimentary HR Breakfast Club Forum, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan presented a valuable exploration into recent ...
  • Does this mean public servants will be properly compensated for workplace injuries?
    Employment

    04 Mar, 2024

    Does this mean public servants will be properly compensated for workplace injuries?
    Public servants can now seek compensation for workplace injuries without risking their rights under anti-discrimination laws, following a ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    26 Feb, 2024

    Unlocking Tomorrow’s Workplace
    In what was the first HR Breakfast Club of 2024, John Wilson, Legal Director of the Employment Law & Investigations team at BAL Lawyers ...
  • The key public service issues to shape 2024
    Employment

    05 Feb, 2024

    The key public service issues to shape 2024
    Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong
  • Which issues will shape the public sector in 2024?
    Employment

    21 Dec, 2023

    Which issues will shape the public sector in 2024?
    Explore the key issues shaping the public sector in 2024, from industrial relations reforms to workplace safety and whistleblower ...
  • Impartiality and politics at work: APS and beyond
    Employment

    22 Nov, 2023

    Impartiality and politics at work: APS and beyond
    The recent furore around the conduct of Home Affairs boss Michael Pezzullo contained, for employment lawyers at least, a rather large dose ...
  • Workplaces now have a positive duty to address sexual harassment – the APS included
    Employment

    06 Nov, 2023

    Workplaces now have a positive duty to address sexual harassment – the APS included
    Employers now have a legal duty to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination, ensuring safer workplaces for all. Learn how to comply and ...
  • What do major industrial reforms mean for Australian public service
    Employment

    12 Sep, 2023

    What do major industrial reforms mean for Australian public service
    Last week, Employment Minister Tony Burke introduced the so-called “closing loopholes” industrial relations reform to Parliament. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    21 Aug, 2023

    Flexible work arrangements: the dangers of refusing a reasonable request
    In August’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, Dogu Yesildag of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed the dangers of refusing an ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    25 Jul, 2023

    How to Recover Employee Debts
    In July’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, Rebecca Richardson of the Employment Law & Investigations team discussed when and how employers can ...
  • Incoming changes to long service leave for certain industries in the ACT – what do you need to know?
    Employment

    24 Jul, 2023

    Incoming changes to long service leave for certain industries in the ACT – what do you need to know?
    Typically, long service leave has been considered a ‘reward’ for an employee’s loyalty to their employer. For example, if an individual has ...
  • Public servants boasting on LinkedIn poses an issue for impartiality
    Employment

    18 Jul, 2023

    Public servants boasting on LinkedIn poses an issue for impartiality
    Public servants face a dilemma on LinkedIn between expressing personal achievements and maintaining impartiality, raising questions about ...
  • Employers and the positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment: the compliance clock is ticking
    Employment

    07 Jul, 2023

    Employers and the positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment: the compliance clock is ticking
    Employers must act swiftly to comply with new obligations to prevent workplace sexual harassment by December 2023, or face significant ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Jun, 2023

    Artificial Intelligence, Scans, Spams and More: Why Good Workplace IT Policies Are Important.
    In June’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyer, Dogu Yesildag of the Employment Law & Investigations Team, discussed the importance of ...
  • Court decisions might have implications for APS decision-makers
    Employment

    19 Jun, 2023

    Court decisions might have implications for APS decision-makers
    Australian law has prohibited discrimination on the basis of various personal attributes in the workplace for decades. The first federal ...
  • Unconscious Bias and the Gender Pay Gap: Austin Health v Tsikos
    Employment

    09 Jun, 2023

    Unconscious Bias and the Gender Pay Gap: Austin Health v Tsikos
    According to data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Australia’s present national gender pay gap is 13.3 per cent. That ...
  • Contracting in the Digital Age – how parking a car in the 1970s informs online contracts today
    Employment

    02 Jun, 2023

    Contracting in the Digital Age – how parking a car in the 1970s informs online contracts today
    Today, most businesses have an online presence for the sale of their goods and/or services and will have (or should have) some sort of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 May, 2023

    Working Hours Update: What additional hours are considered ‘reasonable’ and ‘safe’?
    In May’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Legal Director, Gabrielle Sullivan of the Employment & Investigation Team, discussed the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    08 May, 2023

    Once dismissed, can a public servant get their job back?
    There has been much media attention in recent months on the case brought by Sally Rugg against the federal government and teal independent ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    24 Apr, 2023

    Key insights into employment law and the HR landscape of the past year
    In April’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Managing Legal Director, John Wilson of the Employment & Investigation Team, reflected on the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Employment Property

    24 Apr, 2023

    Five BAL lawyers recognised on the 2024 Best Lawyers List
    We are delighted to announce that five of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2024 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    31 Mar, 2023

    The Rights and Wrongs of Workplace Surveillance
    Are you under surveillance at your workplace? Wherever you work – whether at a law firm, in-house or in government – there are laws that ...
  • What if workers want to drive an Uber or post to OnlyFans in their downtime?
    Employment

    27 Mar, 2023

    What if workers want to drive an Uber or post to OnlyFans in their downtime?
    A British judge once observed that the law should be wary to impose restrictions on workers outside the hours of their employment, “the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    20 Mar, 2023

    Respect at Work Reforms: What does it mean for your organisation?
    In March’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Legal Director, Gabrielle Sullivan of the Employment & Investigation Team, discussed a series ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Feb, 2023

    Enterprise Agreements and bargaining for them – what is changing?
    In November’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyers, Dogu Yesildag within Employment & Investigations Team, discussed the reforms to ...
  • Should there be zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use by public servants?
    Employment

    20 Feb, 2023

    Should there be zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use by public servants?
    Many of us are partial to a glass of wine or a cold beer in the evening or over a weekend. Some of us might partake in drug use from time ...
  • Fixed Term Contracts: What’s Changing?
    Employment

    10 Jan, 2023

    Fixed Term Contracts: What’s Changing?
    The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 signifies the most substantial changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 ...
  • What will be the big public sector issues in 2023?
    Employment

    15 Dec, 2022

    What will be the big public sector issues in 2023?
    ‘Tis the season. A bumper year in Australian public life is winding down and many Canberrans (ourselves included) are looking forward to ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Nov, 2022

    Industrial Relations Wrap Up 2022
    In November’s HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL Lawyer within Employment & Investigations Team, Dogu Yesildag, discussed the proposed ...
  • Time to face some home truths about flexible work
    Employment

    15 Nov, 2022

    Time to face some home truths about flexible work
    Most of us have had a least a taste of flexible working over the past two-and-a-half years.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Litigation & Dispute Resolution Employment

    24 Oct, 2022

    Termination and ACT Workers Compensation: Your questions answered
    Can I fire you? It is a thorny question that permeates all workplaces when it comes to handling workers who have just been injured.
  • Enhancing or Denying Justice? Barriers to legal representation in the Fair Work Commission
    Employment

    07 Oct, 2022

    Enhancing or Denying Justice? Barriers to legal representation in the Fair Work Commission
    The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers – William Shakespeare’s Henry VI[1]
  • APS won’t be immune to IR, employment reform in the air
    Employment

    26 Sep, 2022

    APS won’t be immune to IR, employment reform in the air
    Change is in the air.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    19 Sep, 2022

    Underpayment and wage compliance – getting it right.
    Our September HR Breakfast Club featured a presentation from Mariano Rossetto. Mariano is a director of forensic services at Vincents – a ...
  • Recruitment and References
    Employment

    24 Aug, 2022

    Recruitment and References
    In the August HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL’s Senior Associate within the Employment Law & Investigations team, Rebecca Richardson, ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    03 Aug, 2022

    Victoria is set to restrict NDAs in harassment cases. What does this mean for the APS?
    Last month, the Victorian government announced its intention to restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases involving ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    27 Jul, 2022

    Employee harassed for making complaint is awarded millions in compensation
    Jean-Paul Sartre famously wrote that hell is other people. Few understand the meaning of those words better than the victims of calculated ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    25 Jul, 2022

    Redundancy – What You Need to Know
    In the July HR Breakfast Club Forum, BAL’s Senior Associate within the Employment Law & Investigations team, Rebecca Richardson, ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    06 Jul, 2022

    What does procedural fairness in APS code of conduct investigations actually look like?
    The concepts of procedural fairness and natural justice are central to our legal system. In a famous British case, it was remarked that ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    07 Jun, 2022

    Public Sector Informant: Labor’s IR agenda to change work in APS
    After nine years of Coalition government, last month’s election of Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party will bring significant policy change in a ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    23 May, 2022

    Employees, Casuals, Labour Hire and Independent Contractors – getting the contract right
    In our May HR Breakfast Club seminar, previous Legal Director of the Employment & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan, and guest ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    04 May, 2022

    What does political neutrality require of public servants during an election?
    “Because we have not created,” Paul Finn, an academic and judge, once wrote, “a separate caste of public officials, because we have not ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Business Litigation & Dispute Resolution Employment Property

    21 Apr, 2022

    BAL Recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2023
    We are pleased to announce that five of our lawyers have been recognised in the 2023 Edition of the Best Lawyers in Australia, released ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    14 Apr, 2022

    ‘Ducks and roosters’ The High Court on the distinction between an employee and an independent contractor
    “The parties cannot create something which has every feature of a rooster, but call it a duck and insist that everybody else recognise it ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    06 Apr, 2022

    Defence Department case at Fair Work Commission shows fired staff have path to reinstatement
    Being fired is a traumatic experience. This is particularly the case in the Australian Public Service – given the specialisation of public ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    21 Mar, 2022

    Back to Basics: Employee Probation
    In this HR Breakfast Club webinar, BAL’s previous Legal Director of Employment Law & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan, answered ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    08 Mar, 2022

    Whether in the office or out of hours, workplace harassers can expect no legal leeway
    There is no place, in the public service or otherwise, for workplace harassment. Following heightened public attention on sexual harassment ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    18 Feb, 2022

    Back to Basics: Sexual Harassment
    Rebecca Richardson and Ellen Davies of BAL’s Employment Law and Investigations team at this month’s HR Breakfast Club discussed:
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 Feb, 2022

    Unions win battle, lose war as High Court overhauls employee/contractor divide
    In its first decision of this new year, the High Court has upended decades of legal precedent and undermined the business models of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    02 Feb, 2022

    How to find your rights in the Australian Public Service
    Each new year brings both change and continuity. In the Australian Public Service, January and February typically herald the arrival of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Dec, 2021

    Vaccine mandates and ‘lawful and reasonable’ directions
    What can an employee be made to do?
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    07 Dec, 2021

    What public servants can expect to face in the new year
    This time last year, in our pre-Christmas column, we proposed an APS workplace wish list for 2021. Over the subsequent 12 months, some of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    21 Nov, 2021

    November 2021: Vaccinations and what’s hot in Employment Law right now – Session Two
    In the second part of the conversation, BAL’s Legal Directors of the Employment & Investigations team, Gabrielle Sullivan and John ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    09 Nov, 2021

    Directors, Identify Yourselves!
    From 1 November 2022, all Australian company directors who are eligible officers in a company, registered Australian body, or registered ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    04 Nov, 2021

    Public Sector Informant: Bizarre case highlights need for government agencies to be model litigants
    Public sector employment is an interesting legal construct. On one hand, governments are like anyone else – they have legal personality and ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Oct, 2021

    Work experience, internship, or employment?
    When is an intern an employee? John Wilson and Kieran Pender explore the potential legal pitfalls of the unpaid legal work experience ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    21 Oct, 2021

    NSW Supreme Court strikes a blow to Deputy President’s anti-mandatory vaccination stance
    As lockdown in the ACT begins to lift, many employers are asking whether they need to or should mandate vaccinations before their employees ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    15 Oct, 2021

    October 2021: Vaccinations and what’s hot in Employment Law right now
    To celebrate the Breakfast Club’s 5th birthday, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan and Law Clerk Madeleine Castles facilitated a FAQ style ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    07 Oct, 2021

    Public Sector Informant: Comcare appeal for repayment appears ill-advised and tone-deaf
    In 2017, we wrote a column with a provocative title: “Does Comcare allow the Commonwealth to discriminate with impunity?” Our concern arose ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    03 Aug, 2021

    Public Sector Informant: No easy ways to clear APS security hurdles
    Long waits for security clearances are a common gripe among candidates for public service jobs.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    28 Jul, 2021

    July 2021: What Workers Want, with Lisa Keeling
    At the July HR Breakfast Club, Lisa Keeling, Principal Consultant of legal recruiting firm Beaumont&Beaumont, offered intriguing ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    12 Jul, 2021

    Legal Professional Privilege: sword or shield?
    Legal professional privilege is a venerable principle. With antecedents in 16th century Elizabethan England, the concept — that there can ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    12 Jul, 2021

    Principals with Professional Principles Seminar
    At the heart of Australia, the Canberra local community encompasses a diverse range of professions, all united by initiative, ambition and ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    12 Jul, 2021

    Doyles Guide recognises BAL Lawyers employment law and investigations group in 2021
    BAL Lawyers is delighted to announce that our Employment Law & Investigations group has been recognised as among the best employment ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    12 Jul, 2021

    Australia starts to move on Modern Slavery
    Human trafficking, slavery, forced labour, child labour, and slavery-like practices are not typically associated with the likes of first ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    09 Jul, 2021

    Being a political player: risks to navigate in electoral advertising requirements
    With 2019 being an election year there will be a significant increase in political donations being made to candidates, political parties ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    09 Jul, 2021

    Unconscionable conduct and undue influence: Business Breakfast Club March summary
    This month at Business Breakfast Club, Riley Berry of BAL Lawyers discussed unconscionable conduct and undue influence with a focus on the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    08 Jul, 2021

    Captain of a sinking ship: Warning to directors who make personal sacrifices for the company’s sake
    It seems only logical: your company is in severe financial trouble, so you and your co-directors agree to reduce or even forego your wages ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 Jul, 2021

    HR Breakfast Club – 16 July 2021
    8:00 – 9:00am on Friday 16 July 2021 BAL Boardroom, Level 9, 40 Marcus Clarke Street
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 Jul, 2021

    June 2021: Tame the Beast: Getting the Upper Hand in General Protections Claims
    In June, Anca Costin, Barrister from Blackburn Chambers, presented an insight into the wildly complex area of general protections claims, ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    22 Jun, 2021

    Recent Changes to Casual Employment
    You may be aware the Federal Government has made changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 that affect casual employees. These changes have been ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    24 May, 2021

    HR Breakfast Club – 18 June 2021
    8:00 – 9:00am on Friday 18 June 2021 BAL Boardroom, Level 9, 40 Marcus Clarke Street
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    24 May, 2021

    May 2021: Trouble in Paradise? Handling Misconduct
    In May’s edition of the HR Breakfast Club, BAL Lawyers Andrew Chakrabarty delivered an engaging presentation on ‘Handling misconduct in the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    19 May, 2021

    February 2021: Mandatory Vaccinations and the Future of working from home
    For the February Webinar of the HR Breakfast Club NSW Councils Edition, Gabrielle Sullivan of BAL Lawyers explored the issue of vaccines ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    19 May, 2021

    August 2020: Local Government (State) Award 2020.
    In the August HR Breakfast Club Webinar, Gabrielle Sullivan spoke about the Local Government (State) Award 2020 and the practical ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    February 2021: Mandatory Vaccinations and the Future of working from home
    In the first HR Breakfast Club of the year, Gabrielle Sullivan of BAL Lawyers explored the issue of vaccines and working from home as an ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    November 2020: How casual can we be?
    This month’s HRBC tackled the evolving law and issues around casual employment in Australia, particularly regarding long term or ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    May 2020: Local Government Splinter Award / Return to Work.
    In May’s HR Breakfast Club NSW Council Edition, Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan from BAL Lawyers presented on the Local Government ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    April 2021: Redundancies – All HR Managers need to know (and are too afraid to ask!)
    In our April HR Breakfast Club, BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan discussed the ins and outs of redundancies – what they are, when they ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    December 2020: The best of the worst employee social media posts
    In the final HR Breakfast Club of the year, Gabrielle Sullivan, Legal Director from BAL Lawyers, presented on the best and worst of ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    August 2020: Domestic Violence and Working from Home
    In our April HR Breakfast Club, BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan discussed the ins and outs of redundancies – what they are, when they ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    July 2020: Workplace Flexibility
    In July’s virtual HR Breakfast Club, the benefits and challenges of flexible working were presented by Rebecca Richardson, Associate at ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    10 May, 2021

    March 2021: Victim Blaming, Fear and Shades of Grey – Sexual Harassment Complaints Handling in the #MeTooEra
    Our March edition of HR Breakfast Club featured BAL Legal Director Gabrielle Sullivan and Law Clerk Madeleine Castles, who engaged in a ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    10 May, 2021

    September 2020: Workplace Sexual Harassment – Recent Developments
    In our latest HR Breakfast Club webinar, guest speaker Kieran Pender from the International Bar Association (IBA) spoke about recent ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Sexual Harassment
    Is sexual harassment in the workplace unlawful? Yes — section 28B of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) renders it unlawful to sexually ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Workplace Surveillance
    This factsheet introduces you to the workplace surveillance legislation that is in place in the ACT and NSW.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Injury and Compensation
    Workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims are often the cause of much tension amongst business owners, HR Managers and employees. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Salary, Bonuses and Payments
    We have contracts available for both Modern Award or Enterprise Agreement and Employment Contracts not covered by a Modern Award. We have ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Reportable Conduct – NSW
    This factsheet will introduce you to the reportable conduct scheme in the NSW.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    References, Surveillance and Privacy
    References, surveillance and privacy are all topics that affect every work place. It is not uncommon for organisations to keep an eye on ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Reportable Conduct – ACT
    This is a scheme which obliges certain ACT-based employers who provide services to children, to report allegations made against their ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Reportable Conduct in the Aged Care Sector
    This factsheet will introduce you to the compulsory reporting scheme which is in place in the aged care sector. It will explain the meaning ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Sham Contracting
    This factsheet will introduce you to the concept of “sham contracting” and explain the Fair Work Act’s prohibition on sham contracting. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    NSW Local Government: Staff Misconduct and Discipline
    This factsheet will introduce you to the legislation underpinning the topics of staff misconduct, discipline and workplace bullying in the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Reportable Conduct – Victoria
    This factsheet will introduce you to the reportable conduct scheme in Victoria.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Reasonable Adjustments
    What are “reasonable adjustments”? Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), employers must make all reasonable adjustments to ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Health Records in NSW
    In NSW, matters relating to the recording, storage, and access to health records are covered by the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Health Records in the ACT
    In the ACT, matters relating to the recording, storage, and access to health records are covered by the Health Records (Privacy and Access) ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Medical Assessments
    Can an employee be directed to attend a medical assessment? Generally, yes, provided that the employer has good reason for doing so.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Medical Practitioner Registration
    Relevant legislation Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (Cth) Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (ACT) Act 2010 ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Key Personnel and Disqualified Individuals
    The Aged Care Act (1997) places a responsibility aged care organisations to ensure that the ‘key personnel’ on their staff are not ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Discrimination
    Relevant Legislation Discrimination is a complex area of the law. There is a prohibition against certain forms of discrimination in the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Modern Awards
    What are Modern Awards? A modern award is a legally binding instrument which, along with the National Employment Standards (‘the NES’), ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Misconduct / Performance Management
    Misconduct can negatively affect your workplace culture, and can cost your business money and time. Here is some information and resources ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Workplace Investigations
    Essential considerations for HR managers before initiating workplace investigations, including when to investigate and whether to do so ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    05 May, 2021

    Volunteers
    This factsheet will introduce you to when the law does, and doesn’t, consider volunteers employees and their rights under employment law.
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    01 May, 2021

    Bullying and Harassment
    What is bullying and harassment? Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), a worker is bullied at work if they are subject to repeated ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    14 Apr, 2021

    How to stop workplace bullying
    In this episode, James Judge speaks with Commissioner Peter Hampton from the Fair Work Commission and Rebecca Richardson of BAL Lawyers ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    The Legal Obligations of a Trustee: Proactive not Reactive
    Trustees must look forward towards the risks on the horizon. Proactive responses to emerging issues are essential to fulfil the duties of a ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    Wellbeing at work and why it matters
    On today’s episode we work our way through a variety of practical, straightforward and real ideas to maintain wellbeing in the workplace. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    What penguins teach us about resilience at work
    Penguins not only endure, but thrive in, some of the harshest environments on the planet – which is why they have a lot to teach us in ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    Psychological Dimensions of Returning Employees to Work after a Crisis
    Traditionally, the ability to work from home as been viewed as something of a luxury, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports are ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    Dealing with Difficult Complaints
    Workplace complaints become complex for several reasons, including due to the small percentage of complainants who behave in ways that are, ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    HR Breakfast Club for NSW Local Government – 26 May 2021
    11:00 – 12pm on Wednesday 26 May 2021 Online via Zoom meeting Victim Blaming, Fear and Shads of Grey: Sexual Harassment Complaints Handling ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Apr, 2021

    Doyles Guide recognises BAL Lawyers Employment Law and Investigations group in 2021
    BAL Lawyers is delighted to announce that our Employment Law & Investigations group has been recognised as among the best employment ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    13 Dec, 2019

    Free Speech and Whistle Blowers: An Update
    Today’s episode revisits the issue of free speech in the workplace. This follows the recent outcome of the Michaela Banerji case in the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Nov, 2019

    Non Disclosure Agreements with John Wilson and Judith Bessant
    In this episode, we’re discussing non-disclosure agreements, which are now very common when employment ends in contentious circumstances ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Oct, 2019

    Leadership in an Age of Disruption and Uncertainty
    Today on the HR Breakfast Club podcast, our guest host James Judge sits down with Gus McLachlan to talk about leadership in the digital ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Jul, 2019

    Domestic Violence and the Workplace – with Janice Hadgraft and James Judge
    On episode 10 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Janice Hadgraft and James Judge discuss the intersection between domestic ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 May, 2019

    Performance Management – with Gabrielle Sullivan and Allan McLean
    On episode 9 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Gabrielle Sullivan and Allan McLean discuss performance management; an ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Mar, 2019

    Litigation Stress – with Ian Meagher and Pauline Hugler
    On episode 8 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Ian Meagher and Pauline Hugler discuss litigation stress; a regrettable ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Dec, 2018

    Free Speech and Whistle Blowers – with Kieran Pender
    On episode 7 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs and Kieran Pender discuss whistle blowers and the right to free speech for ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Sep, 2018

    Vaccinations and Drug Testing – with James Macken and Tony Chase
    On episode 6 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, James Macken and Tony Chase discuss vaccinations and drug testing in the ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Aug, 2018

    Workplace Bullying – With Kate Leonard and Lyndal Ryan
    On episode 5 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Kate Leonard, and Lyndal Ryan discuss bullying in the workplace, looking ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Jul, 2018

    What Women Want in the Workplace – With Lauren Sayers and Dr Elizabeth Hill
    On episode 4 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Lauren Sayers, and Dr Elizabeth Hill discuss what women really want from ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 Jun, 2018

    High Performing Organisations – With Gabrielle Sullivan and Sonia Lynch
    On episode 3 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Gabrielle Sullivan, and Sonia Lynch look at High Performing Organisations. ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    29 May, 2018

    Unfair Dismissal – With Rebecca Richardson and Helen Parrett
    On episode 2 of the HR Breakfast Club podcast, Genevieve Jacobs, Rebecca Richardson and Helen Parrett look at Unfair Dismissal and discuss ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    HR Breakfast Club Employment

    28 May, 2018

    Sexual Harassment – With Kellie Edwards and Scott Diprose
    Today on the HR Breakfast Club podcast our host Genevieve Jacobs sits down with barrister, Kellie Edwards and Scott Diprose. They take a ...
  • Monthly Forum Fallback
    Employment

    16 Apr, 2018

    Essential Guide: Investigating Staff Misconduct Complaints
    Investigations of staff misconduct complaints, including workplace bullying can be difficult. It is important to carry out your ...

No results found

BAL logo_lockup_WHITE
  • Quick Links
  • Events
  • Make a payment
  • Client login
  • Contact
Location

9th Floor, Canberra House 40 Marcus Clarke Street Canberra City ACT 2601

phone

02 6274 0999

email

reception@ballawyers.com.au


© 2026 BAL Lawyers. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy