What Does 2021 mean for Employment Law?by Karena Nicholls12 January 202119 June 2023Both employers and employees in 2020 have struggled to gain their footing, from mass layoffs and redundancies due to COVID-19 requirements. The job sector has… Read More »What Does 2021 mean for Employment Law?
Duty of Care, How Far Can It Extend?by Karena Nicholls8 December 20203 April 2023Trigger Warning: This blog contains details about Sexual Assault, which may be upsetting for some. Reader discretion is advised. A former student of a Canberra… Read More »Duty of Care, How Far Can It Extend?
BOTCHED! What can I do? Who can I sue?by Karena Nicholls17 November 202028 July 2025Co-written by: Mai O’Regan (Paralegal) Plastic and cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons why people undergo these surgeries, some… Read More »BOTCHED! What can I do? Who can I sue?
Employee or Contractor? How to Make Sure You Choose the Right Oneby Karena Nicholls4 November 20202 July 2024If you’re like many business owners you might have walked the fine line between ascertaining correctly whether or not your contractor could be in fact… Read More »Employee or Contractor? How to Make Sure You Choose the Right One
The High Court has ‘Called it a Day’ in Relation to Personal Leave Accrualby Karena Nicholls25 September 202025 February 2021On 13 August 2020, the High Court delivered a landmark decision in Mondelez Australia Pty Ltd v AMWU & Ors [2020] HCA 29 on the… Read More »The High Court has ‘Called it a Day’ in Relation to Personal Leave Accrual
Employers Beware: Failure to consider JobKeeper may lead to unfair dismissalby Karena Nicholls22 September 20206 March 2024An employee cannot bring an unfair dismissal in the case of a “genuine redundancy”. However, what if the employer has not considered the JobKeeper scheme… Read More »Employers Beware: Failure to consider JobKeeper may lead to unfair dismissal
JobKeeper and Stand Downsby Karena Nicholls7 September 202029 July 2025KEY TAKEOUTS The employer cannot use stand downs to underpay employees for hours worked Employer’s need to consider giving other options such as training, taking… Read More »JobKeeper and Stand Downs
Workers Compensation Commission confirms that Cannabis is a reasonably necessary treatment under section 60by Karena Nicholls28 August 202028 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS The developments in medicine have changed over the last few years. Medicinal cannabis once a forbidden treatment is now accepted and used… Read More »Workers Compensation Commission confirms that Cannabis is a reasonably necessary treatment under section 60
Can your Employer request information to assess COVID-19 risks?by Karena Nicholls13 August 202028 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS: Employers can collect information from employees or visitors if it is necessary to minimise risk to others in relation to COVID-19. The… Read More »Can your Employer request information to assess COVID-19 risks?
Employment Law – A wave of Redundanciesby Karena Nicholls4 August 202028 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS As we move though Covid19 we are seeing an increase in redundancies. So, what is a redundancy and what are the requirements.… Read More »Employment Law – A wave of Redundancies
Personal Injury – A New Personal Injury Commissionby Karena Nicholls26 June 202029 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS Over the years we have seen many changes in the Personal Injury area of law from Courts to Tribunals to Commissions. It… Read More »Personal Injury – A New Personal Injury Commission
The changing face of whistleblowingby Karena Nicholls10 June 202028 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS: Generally in NSW, if you report a public sector for corrupt conduct in good faith to the ICAC, you are protected by… Read More »The changing face of whistleblowing
Do I have to tell my prospective new employer about my previous claims or injuries?by Karena Nicholls3 June 202031 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS: Suffering an injury can place you in a tough position, you will be thinking who wants to hire someone who has suffered… Read More »Do I have to tell my prospective new employer about my previous claims or injuries?
Qantas wins landmark case on sick leave paymentsby Karena Nicholls26 May 202010 January 2023KEY TAKE OUTS: If you are stood down, can you access your sick leave? Unions put in the good fight for the employees of Qantas,… Read More »Qantas wins landmark case on sick leave payments
Employers Beware: Long term casuals may be able to claim entitlementsby Karena Nicholls25 May 20206 March 2024The recent case of Workpac Pty v Rossato in the Full Court of the Federal Court found that a worker engaged on a casual basis… Read More »Employers Beware: Long term casuals may be able to claim entitlements
Can you be forced to take Annual Leave during Covid-19?by Karena Nicholls21 May 202012 January 2023The FWC has the power to resolve disputes concerning the JobKeeper payment. In the case of McCreedy v Village Roadshow Theme Parks Pty Ltd (2020),… Read More »Can you be forced to take Annual Leave during Covid-19?
A Photo can Save Your Public Liability Claimby Karena Nicholls13 May 202013 April 2023KEY TAKE OUTS: A Public Liability Claim occurs when a person is injured due to the negligence of another party in a public space. Injuries… Read More »A Photo can Save Your Public Liability Claim
Can I access my Income Protection Insurance with COVID-19?by Karena Nicholls13 April 202013 April 2023Income Protection Insurance is accessible to people who suffer from sickness or injury which prohibits them from working. In light of the recent COVID-19 developments,… Read More »Can I access my Income Protection Insurance with COVID-19?
Where does workers compensation fit in with COVID-19?by Karena Nicholls31 March 202031 July 2025COVID-19 has impacted and continues to impact the world as we know it. Day by day we learn more of its impact. We anticipate employers… Read More »Where does workers compensation fit in with COVID-19?
COVID-19: Coronavirus and the workforceby Karena Nicholls12 March 202010 January 2023Australia now has more than 70 cases in NSW of Coronavirus and more than 130 cases Australia wide. What does that mean for employees and… Read More »COVID-19: Coronavirus and the workforce