Employment Law for the Time Poor

Authors: Emily Haar, Ben Motro Has this happened to your organisation? You’re negotiating an exit with an employee, or perhaps you are working through a conciliation or mediation following the filing of an employment-related claim, and you think you have a resolution, though nothing has been signed yet. You might wonder, do we have a binding or enforceable settlement, even without anything signed? In this episode of Employment Law for the Time Poor, Ben Motro and Emily Haar push past some of the legalese to work through when a settlement agreement is binding, how particular Court and Tribunal processes can impact the steps taken to “get to the deal”, and what common “settlement” phrases mean and how they may impact the enforceability (or not) of a settlement proposal. For more practical tips from our Employment Relations team, we are hosting several Workplace Training [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Fservices%2Femployment-labour%2Fworkplace-training%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cbgiannos%40piperalderman.com.au%7C1cb94257929b4b81049708ddb782aa2a%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638868494044072517%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0I6pMn%2BkdOWxGeIlsWKuNwNucuGunM1bGY71JWREjeY%3D&reserved=0] events throughout the year, including on managing common employee-claims. Subscribe here [https://reaction.piperalderman.com.au/REACTION/Home/RSForm?RSID=xrUxOVNIa3tp_M_IngbiEYq4x_2C1ikMi76pKTg3y0E&_gl=1%2Abbqvh2%2A_gcl_au%2AMTM0NjMzNzk3Ny4xNzM5NzU5NDk4%2A_ga%2ANzk0ODAyMDg4LjE3MDAyMDI4ODE.%2A_ga_5CF8BV2EV3%2AMTc0NTI3OTc1MS4xODYuMS4xNzQ1Mjc5NzY4LjAuMC4w&_ga=2.50337386.25907313.1745279752-794802088.1700202881] to ensure you never miss an invite to one of our events.    For additional insights into best-practice drafting of deeds of release more generally, see our on-demand training here [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Fevent%2Fclause-effect-contract-law-series-deeds-of-releases%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cbgiannos%40piperalderman.com.au%7C1cb94257929b4b81049708ddb782aa2a%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638868494044093534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wOONJ1AZC0rmcvHRrgm0Ge3sZEeaczutPGCWVj81tVA%3D&reserved=0], and our summary of the Elisha v Vision Australia decision here [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Finsight%2Fwhen-workplace-policies-become-enforceable-legal-obligations-with-significant-risk-lessons-from-the-high-courts-decision-in-elisha-v-vision-australia%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cbgiannos%40piperalderman.com.au%7C1cb94257929b4b81049708ddb782aa2a%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638868494044103468%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eiwbDBsYwYDuVEuhTCxpHN16RV2JbASxEodXbAvErvk%3D&reserved=0].

Authors: Emily Haar, Andrew Stewart In this special election episode of Employment Law for the Time Poor, just in time for your second April-long weekend, Professor Andrew Stewart, Consultant, and Emily Haar, Partner, discuss the various policy announcements from the major (and minor) political parties, stakeholders’ wish lists for reform, and other “things to watch out for” ahead of the Federal Election on 3 May 2025. Following the election result becoming known, Piper Alderman will be hosting a national roadshow of in-person events where Professor Andrew Stewart will provide further insights about what to expect over the next Parliamentary term.  Subscribe here [https://reaction.piperalderman.com.au/REACTION/Home/RSForm?RSID=xrUxOVNIa3tp_M_IngbiEYq4x_2C1ikMi76pKTg3y0E&_gl=1%2Abbqvh2%2A_gcl_au%2AMTM0NjMzNzk3Ny4xNzM5NzU5NDk4%2A_ga%2ANzk0ODAyMDg4LjE3MDAyMDI4ODE.%2A_ga_5CF8BV2EV3%2AMTc0NTI3OTc1MS4xODYuMS4xNzQ1Mjc5NzY4LjAuMC4w&_ga=2.50337386.25907313.1745279752-794802088.1700202881] to ensure you never miss an invite to one of our events.

Authors: Emily Haar, Andrew Stewart As part of the recent Federal Budget, the Treasurer announced [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fministers.dewr.gov.au%2Fchalmers%2Fcracking-down-non-compete-clauses-boost-wages-and-productivity&data=05%7C02%7Csdodwell%40piperalderman.com.au%7C56dfc7b4edb249d30deb08dd70081806%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638789902303798016%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FdX5I69xK76HzBd6J1cm4A8t7lX4Oxknm24z6QNwkJc%3D&reserved=0] plans to ban “non-compete” clauses in employment contracts for employees earning below the high income threshold (currently $175,000 per annum) from 2027, to much media attention.  But with the finer details to be the subject of further consultation (and a Federal election on 3 May 2025 in the meantime), what might be on the horizon in this space? In this episode of Employment Law for the Time Poor, Professor Andrew Stewart, Consultant, and Emily Haar, Partner, discuss the difference between “non compete clauses” and other post-employment restraint clauses, the policy, productivity, and research bases for reform, what these reforms might look like in practice, as well as some “real life” considerations for businesses to best protect their interests now.   These discussions show that a one-size-fits-all approach to the protection of an employer’s interests in its client and customer relationships, if it ever were enough, will not cut it going forward if labour mobility significantly increases.  If businesses are less able to rely on contractual post-employment restraint clauses, alternative methods to otherwise protect confidential information and intellectual property, such as technology and a strong internal innovation culture, become ever more important.

Employment Relations Podcast #41 – Understanding the Employment Law Considerations in Defence Export Controls Authors: Emily Haar, Erin McCarthy, Travis Shueard In this episode, we delve into the recent amendments to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (Cth) and explore the implications for employment law and anti-discrimination issues.  Emily Haar is joined by Erin McCarthy and Travis Shueard to discuss how these legislative changes impact businesses in the defence industry – which is defined more widely than you may initially think! The legislative grace period before penalties apply ends on 1 March 2025, such that now is the time for businesses to assess whether these changes will apply to them, and if so, what impact that will have on their workforce planning, both for current and future employees.  For more insights on these changes and the equivalent US legislation see: * https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/aukus-itar-export-control-reform-and-the-australian-defence-industry/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Finsight%2Faukus-itar-export-control-reform-and-the-australian-defence-industry%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmmladenovic%40piperalderman.com.au%7C37c6b144cab542ebae7408dd1edff66e%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638700669443798623%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uBUr19xptFC7PUoa2VpXucAgNTqEYvO9m3299PyqGzs%3D&reserved=0] * https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/itar-101-fundamentals-and-practice/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Finsight%2Fitar-101-fundamentals-and-practice%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmmladenovic%40piperalderman.com.au%7C37c6b144cab542ebae7408dd1edff66e%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638700669443810514%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qgOSfFHig84ybQfvjV7PItJv%2FsE6lzuDWdHkrF%2FXuEc%3D&reserved=0] To never miss an episode, subscribe via your preferred podcasting application: * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/employment-law-for-the-time-poor/id1481169456] * Spotify * Google Podcasts ·         If you use a different podcast app you can subscribe to the podcast by copying and pasting  http://piperalderman.libsyn.com/rss [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.libsyn.com%2Frss&data=05%7C02%7Cmmladenovic%40piperalderman.com.au%7C37c6b144cab542ebae7408dd1edff66e%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638700669443846615%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7BCT5PqB%2FFA7sw%2B%2FdJeukOe9%2FKDs3Wqfo4lAtl5PzNg%3D&reserved=0] in to the RSS feed

Employment Relations Podcast #40 – Understanding the Australian Right to Disconnect Authors: Emily Haar, Lucie Lawrence-Wall The “right to disconnect” is commencing for most national systems employers on 26 August 2024 (small businesses have a further 12 months to get ready).  Does your organisation understand what this “right” actually is, and how it could impact your operations? In this episode of Piper Alderman’s Employment Law for the Time Poor Podcast, Partner Emily Haar and Senior Associate Lucie Lawrence-Wall discuss the international position and the “availability creep” concerns the right to disconnect is designed to address.  They work through what the new provisions involve, including consequential changes to Modern Awards, as well as discussing some of the practical implications the new “right” may (or may not) for your workplace.    The right to disconnect is not the only “Closing Loopholes” change that commences on 26 August 2024.  For more insights see our previous episodes and insights here: https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/employment-relations-podcast-37-closing-loopholes-no-2-considering-complexities/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Finsight%2Femployment-relations-podcast-37-closing-loopholes-no-2-considering-complexities%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cezhang%40piperalderman.com.au%7Cfb47bd8e830f49ebe2ba08dcc3133af3%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638599734594848653%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y1aD%2Bjpv76LB7kHLC6x5fH76d%2B4%2FgiDR9Zum21JZyRM%3D&reserved=0] and  https://piperalderman.com.au/insight/closing-the-rest-of-the-loopholes-final-tranche-of-fair-work-act-amendments-passes-but-with-some-significant-changes/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpiperalderman.com.au%2Finsight%2Fclosing-the-rest-of-the-loopholes-final-tranche-of-fair-work-act-amendments-passes-but-with-some-significant-changes%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cezhang%40piperalderman.com.au%7Cfb47bd8e830f49ebe2ba08dcc3133af3%7Ce521752256d84996a821424b64e13cfd%7C0%7C0%7C638599734594857230%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5bPhhZes3hpROutNtQcD3d5v7gGrRE8mvNu%2F7uW77m4%3D&reserved=0]