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Industrial Manslaughter – A New Offence for...

A new offence and serious penalties are now in action across NSW for PCBUs (employers, businesses and the like) and officers (including directors and some senior executives) whose actions or inactions lead to the death of a worker. Although there are no specific new WHS obligations to be aware of, there are new consequences. It is now more important than ever for organisations and senior executives to educate themselves on their obligations under WHS legislation.   

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Media & Podcasts

Lawyers Weekly: Will The Right To Disconnect...

“Understanding what is considered ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’ for out-of-hours contact in the workplace is a theoretical issue at this point in time.”

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Media & Podcasts

News.com.au: Bosses Warned Over New Right To...

“Given the risk of adverse action claims and significant penalties for noncompliance, employers should be wary not to use the right to disconnect as an excuse to limit employees’ career progression.”

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Media & Podcasts
Lawyers Weekly: Will The Right To Disconnect Affect Lawyers’ Career Progression?

Lawyers Weekly: Will The Right To Disconnect Affect Lawyers’ Career Progression?

“Understanding what is considered ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’ for out-of-hours contact in the workplace is a theoretical issue at this point in time.”
Media & Podcasts
News.com.au: Bosses Warned Over New Right To Disconnect Law As ‘Critical Questions’ Raised

News.com.au: Bosses Warned Over New Right To Disconnect Law As ‘Critical Questions’ Raised

“Given the risk of adverse action claims and significant penalties for noncompliance, employers should be wary not to use the right to disconnect as an excuse to limit employees’ career progression.”
Firm News
Hicksons Lawyers Awarded Australian Business Awards 'Employer of Choice for 2024'

Hicksons Lawyers Awarded Australian Business Awards 'Employer of Choice for 2024'

Hicksons is pleased to announce that we have been named as a winner of the Australian Business Awards’ Employer of Choice for 2024!
Firm News
Hicksons Lawyers Named A 2024 5-Star Employer Of Choice By Australasian Lawyer

Hicksons Lawyers Named A 2024 5-Star Employer Of Choice By Australasian Lawyer

Hicksons is delighted to be named a 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice by Australasian Lawyer!   The award profiles law firms that invest in staff wellbeing and support employee success through people-centred programs. This includes across recruitment, development, career progression, leadership, work-life balance and wellbeing.
Media & Podcasts
Australasian Lawyer: Hicksons Partner Started In The Legal Industry At 16

Australasian Lawyer: Hicksons Partner Started In The Legal Industry At 16

In a recent Australasian Lawyer article, Hicksons’ Partner, Jennifer Doyle shares her career journey and passion for law. She also touched on the challenge for lawyers, progression of women in the profession and her love of the countryside.  
Media & Podcasts
Australian Financial Review: A Managing Partner's guide to great skiing

Australian Financial Review: A Managing Partner's guide to great skiing

“When Stewart Cameron isn’t heading up Hicksons Lawyers, he’s hankering for an opportunity to shred the pow”   In a recent Australian Financial Review (AFR) ‘Time Out’ Q&A, Hicksons’ Managing Partner, Stewart Cameron shares some of how he achieves a work life balance.  
Media & Podcasts
Dynamic Business: Balancing productivity and employee wellbeing

Dynamic Business: Balancing productivity and employee wellbeing

In a recent Dynamic Business article, Hicksons’ Managing Partner, Stewart Cameron shares the significance of a ‘putting people first’ in ensuring productivity and mental well-being in the workplace.“The balance between employee wellbeing and productivity occurs once you put people first.” “A supportive work environment is important, including providing regular guidance, an inclusive culture and meaningful work”.  
Blog
Employee or Contractor? What the law says about Sham Contracts

Employee or Contractor? What the law says about Sham Contracts

What are the new changes, and how can my business defend itself against sham contracting claims?   Employment relationships can be complex, and understanding how to manage them is often key. Most would think that the law was clear on who is considered an employee, and who is a contractor? In this case, you would be wrong.    
Blog
It’s Christmas! Can I direct my employee to take unpaid leave during the end of year shutdown?

It’s Christmas! Can I direct my employee to take unpaid leave during the end of year shutdown?

With Christmas fast approaching, employers and employees will be turning their minds to organising leave arrangements over closedown (or ‘shutdown’) periods.
Media & Podcasts
Human Resources Directors: How can HR teams approach employee tea breaks

Human Resources Directors: How can HR teams approach employee tea breaks

In a recent Human Resources Directors article, Hicksons Workplace Relations Partner, Warwick Ryan discusses on how Human Resources (HR) teams can approach employee tea breaks. 
Blog
An employee’s right not to work on public holidays

An employee’s right not to work on public holidays

It can be very difficult for businesses, especially those operating 24 hours, 7 days a week, to ensure their workforce is properly resourced throughout the year.   With this, public holidays can present a real issue. Employees often expect to spend public holidays with their family and friends and perhaps have a long weekend away, but despite this, businesses need to continue operating, and require adequate staffing to do so.  
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The ‘Gig’antic Changes Coming Our Way - Deliveroo Rider Not An Employee

The ‘Gig’antic Changes Coming Our Way - Deliveroo Rider Not An Employee

Last year has seen an emerging trend where judges are evolving and changing the way we identify and categorise principal-contractor relationship and employer-employee relationship.   In the aftermath of the High Court judgments earlier this year, including Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining And Energy Union & Anor v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 1 (Personnel Contracting) and ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd v Jamsek [2022] HCA 2 (Jamsek)), we are seeing rapid changes in judges’ view on these commercial relationships.  
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Crimes and misdemeanours abroad: When can an employer dismiss an employee for their actions outside work?

Crimes and misdemeanours abroad: When can an employer dismiss an employee for their actions outside work?

Managing misconduct in the modern workplace is challenging enough, but what about misconduct where it occurs outside work hours? The workplace’s relationships, expectations and legal frameworks become even more challenging to navigate in such circumstances. 

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