Why Work Christmas Parties Still Carry Legal Risksby Karena Nicholls23 October 202510 October 2025 Summary Points: Work Christmas parties are still “work.” Employers remain legally responsible for staff conduct and safety, even at off-site or after-hours events. Legal… Read More »Why Work Christmas Parties Still Carry Legal Risks
The Contractor Who Was Really an Employee: A Warning to Employersby Karena Nicholls29 July 2025 Case: Ms Joanna Pascua v Doessel Group Pty Ltd [2024] FWC 2669 Decision Date: 2 July 2024 Jurisdiction: Fair Work Commission It’s easy to… Read More »The Contractor Who Was Really an Employee: A Warning to Employers
Navigating Workers Compensation for Dust Diseasesby Karena Nicholls29 July 2025 KEY TAKE AWAYS: What is considered to be a dust disease pursuant to the NSW Workers Compensation scheme? Discover what compensation you may be… Read More »Navigating Workers Compensation for Dust Diseases
From Injury to Compensation: How to secure compensation through Work Injury Damagesby Karena Nicholls14 April 2025Co-authored by Brooklyn Evans KEY TAKE AWAYS: Work Injury Damages is claim for further compensation upon the successful completion of a Workers Compensation Claim –… Read More »From Injury to Compensation: How to secure compensation through Work Injury Damages
How to avoid prosecution for the new wage theft offence.by Karena Nicholls6 February 2025KEY TAKE AWAYS: What is the new wage theft offence under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)? How can employers avoid prosecution for the new… Read More »How to avoid prosecution for the new wage theft offence.
Employment Rights and Entitlements: What You Need to Knowby Karena Nicholls10 October 202428 July 2025Co-Author: Brooklyn Younger KEY TAKE OUTS: The National Employment Standards are the minimum standards of rights and entitlements of employees in Australia. Your employer may… Read More »Employment Rights and Entitlements: What You Need to Know
When to Make a Public Liability Claimby Karena Nicholls26 September 20243 December 2024CO-AUTHOR: Brooklyn Younger KEY INSIGHTS: You may be eligible to make a Public Liability claim if you have sustained an injury due to the failure… Read More »When to Make a Public Liability Claim
Warnings: What are they? And can I be fired without one?by Karena Nicholls9 September 202431 July 2025Co-Author: Kyna Gella What are warnings? How do I know I have been given a warning? Can I be fired without a warning? What are… Read More »Warnings: What are they? And can I be fired without one?
Responding to Workplace Bullying and Harassment: A Guide for Employeesby Karena Nicholls9 September 202414 October 2024KEY TAKE OUTS: • Bullying and Harassment in the workplace can take a number of forms and is defined as the consistent and continuing unwanted… Read More »Responding to Workplace Bullying and Harassment: A Guide for Employees
Retired NRL Player Loses Claim for Personal Injury Compensationby Karena Nicholls6 September 202414 October 2024KEY TAKE OUTS: • Sporting organisations do owe a duty of care to their participants, but this duty is limited, especially concerning risks inherent to… Read More »Retired NRL Player Loses Claim for Personal Injury Compensation
How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyerby Karena Nicholls22 August 20249 September 2024KEY TAKE OUTS: Selecting the right personal injury lawyer can significantly alleviate emotional strain during a personal injury claim, ensuring effective advocacy for your rights… Read More »How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Worker bullied at Department of Educationby Karena Nicholls4 July 20249 September 2024Key Takeaways A NSW Department of Education teacher was bullied and harassed by colleagues following her arrest for alleged historical sexual abuse offences. Despite her… Read More »Worker bullied at Department of Education
How Not Wearing a Seatbelt Can Affect Your Motor Vehicle Injury Claimby Karena Nicholls26 June 202428 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS: Seatbelts are legally enforced in NSW. Failure to buckle up can impact the outcome of your compensation claim, but does not necessarily… Read More »How Not Wearing a Seatbelt Can Affect Your Motor Vehicle Injury Claim
Unplugging After Hours – The Right to Disconnectby Karena Nicholls6 April 202431 July 2025Co-authored by: Brooklyn Younger KEY TAKE OUTS: The new legislation that prevents Employers from contacting their Employees outside of work hours. This allows Employees to… Read More »Unplugging After Hours – The Right to Disconnect
Qantas Breach: Impact on Employee Workplace Rightsby Karena Nicholls22 January 202431 July 2025Co-authored by: Brooklyn Younger KEY TAKE OUTS: New High Court case rules that Employers must not take adverse action to prevent an employee from exercising… Read More »Qantas Breach: Impact on Employee Workplace Rights
Accountability of Sydney Trains for Disability Discriminationby Karena Nicholls8 August 202330 November 2023KEY TAKE-OUTS: Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) it is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee based on their disability by… Read More »Accountability of Sydney Trains for Disability Discrimination
Navigating Employee Absenteeism Management: Essential Insightsby Karena Nicholls21 July 202316 August 2023KEY TAKE-OUTS: As we head into a tough economy staff absenteeism can have significant impacts on your business. What can you do, what should you… Read More »Navigating Employee Absenteeism Management: Essential Insights
Shutdown Periods! The Employer has been stung againby Karena Nicholls24 March 202315 May 2023Provisional Conclusions The right to elect to take leave without pay in lieu of accessing annual leave entitlements during a shutdown should be deleted. There… Read More »Shutdown Periods! The Employer has been stung again
I’m on compensation, what do I need to know?by Karena Nicholls16 January 202328 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS: Understanding workers compensation can be a minefield in New South Wales, support is provided to workers who are injured through the workers compensation… Read More »I’m on compensation, what do I need to know?
Work-Induced Fatigue: Will a Court Find the Employer Liable?by Karena Nicholls9 January 202330 November 2023KEY TAKE-OUTS On 30 June 2022 the New South Wales Supreme Court handed down a decision relating to injuries sustained by an employee while travelling… Read More »Work-Induced Fatigue: Will a Court Find the Employer Liable?