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MASTERCLASS AGENDA

The following sessions will be covered over the one-day interactive masterclass

8:30 Registration and Welcome Coffee
9:00 Course Starts
10:30 - 11:00 Morning Tea
12:30 – 1:30 Networking Lunch
3:00 – 3:30 Afternoon Break
5:00 Course Ends

UPDATE OF KEY LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Understanding the relevant laws including:

  • Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)

  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and State legislation

  • Safe Work Australia updates; including incoming changes to the incident notification framework

  • Workers compensation laws

  • The role of policies, employment contracts and enterprise agreements

  • When employers can require employees to provide medical information or attend a medical examination

  • How an employee’s medical information may be used

  • How can HR managers update their RTW policies and procedures to be up to date and compliant?

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH, PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS, AND STRESS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR TODAY'S WORK ENVIRONMENT

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Workplace stress - understanding and complying with your duty of care obligations   

  • Dealing with mental health, psychosocial hazards, and psychological injury claims 

  • Managing the impact of economic uncertainty on managing employee ill health & injury; and integrating these factors into workplace strategies to ensure fair and compliant practices

  • WFH isolation/loneliness, stress and anxiety 

  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and supportive measures 

  • Practical steps to reduce mental health-related WHS risks 

  • Educating managers and employees on early warning signs and intervention strategies 

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, LONG TERM ABSENCES AND INVESTIGATIONS

Considerations when thinking about work performance and performance management

  • Long term absences from the workplace: how long is too long?

  • Investigating an employee’s illness, injury or absence: social media, medical evidence and
    possible disciplinary action

  • Can you challenge a medical certificate?

  • Mitigating risks in relation to workers’ compensation claims

  • Managing flexible work conditions – what to think about and what is best practice?

RETURN TO WORK, MEDICAL INCAPACITY AND TERMINATION

  • Return to work rights and obligations, including understanding the difference between work
    related and non-work related illnesses or injuries

  • Medical incapacity and the inherent requirements of a position-considering ‘reasonable adjustments’

  • Termination of employment on the basis of incapacity

CLAIMS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND MEDIATION PROCESSES

  • Explore potential claims and appropriate remedies

  • Effective mediation strategies to promote understanding and resolve disputes between employers and employees

  • Dispute resolution techniques that can be used when dealing with complex cases, including
    instances where there may be disagreements about the return-to-work process or adjustments

NAVIGATING INJURY DISPUTES: A CASE STUDY ON WORK VS. PRIVATE CLAIMS

In this session attendees will explore a scenario involving a physical injury where there is a
dispute about whether the injury occurred at work or privately.


This session will delve into the complexities of managing such disputes, including gathering
and assessing evidence, communicating with employees, and ensuring compliance with legal
and organisational requirements.

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