Modern Workplace Challenges: Managing Change, Compliance, and Culture - 3 program recorded series

Program 1: Flexible Work and the Right to Disconnect: What is Reasonable In 2025 (and What Does The FWC Say?)

Over the last 12 months, there have been significant changes made to the law as it relates to flexible work arrangements. Under these changes, flexible work arrangements now go to the Commission if there is a dispute. For employers, these changes, understandably, raise many questions. In what circumstances is the FWC considering it reasonable to have flexible arrangements? What types of arrangements are considered reasonable? What does WFH even look like in 2025? And, how do the new ‘right to disconnect’ laws fit in? To help employers get across these recent changes and consider what changes are required in their own workplace, this session explores:

• The reforms and provide an overview of the options available and entitlements of employees for flexible work arrangements
• The new powers of the FWC to review decisions to refuse requests for flexible working arrangements, right of appeal and steps workplaces should be taking in light of this
• Aspects of the reforms causing the most issues in workplaces and how to manage the cohort of employees who haven’t returned to the workplace
• The applicable timeframes, what is a valid request, what may now constitute reasonable business grounds, how to now assess, the practicalities of alternative arrangements and how do these changes fit into your business model
• How these issues have played out in recent FWC decisions including Gregory v Maxia
• How a right to disconnect may operate in practice within the proposed model, the different perspectives for and against and its potential impact (for better or worse) on different types of employees across industries and the organisational hierarchy

Program 2: Navigating Boundaries: Defining Acceptable Employee Behaviour in the Digital Age

In today's increasingly digital and remote working environment, the boundaries between personal and professional life are more blurred than ever. Employees often express themselves outside of work in ways that could impact their professional roles, raising important questions about employer rights and employee freedoms. This session explores the evolving landscape of employee behaviour and opinion in and out of the workplace, including:

• How far can employers regulate employee conduct outside of work? What constitutes "private life," and where does it intersect with professional responsibilities?
• Freedom of expression vs. employment obligations - understanding the limits of free speech in the workplace through analysis of recent examples
• To what extent can employment contracts and policies govern an employee’s behaviour outside of work hours?
• Evaluating the role and effectiveness of Codes of Conduct and workplace policies in guiding employee behaviour.
• How can employers navigate and enforce rules around social media usage without infringing on employee rights?
• Understanding employer rights and responsibilities in managing workplace relationships, including handling potential conflicts of interest and consent issues.
• Practical guidance for employers on identifying, managing, and mitigating conflicts of interest and other personal relationship issues that can impact the workplace

Program 3: Strategic Adjustments: Addressing Mental Health and Injuries in the Modern Workplace

One of the more challenging aspects of the role for HR professionals is managing the ill and injured in the workplace. With mental health diagnoses on the rise, this area of practice is set to become more complex. This session shall explore the key issues HR professionals need to navigate when managing the ill and injured in the workplace, with a focus on those who are experiencing mental health challenges. It covers:

• The practicalities of performance reviews, supervision and managing ill or injured employees using de-identified examples
• Obligations of the employer and options for supporting employees - what is reasonable or appropriate e.g. flexible working, remote work and return to work mandate issues
• The issues arising from long term absentee employees - how to get them back to work
• Navigating the delicate balance and when and how it may be appropriate to consider termination