Workplace relations

Federal and state workplace relations legislation has undergone substantial reform over the past few years.

With such change occurring, employers are increasingly relying on commercially-focused advice to maximise workforce productivity, establish sound and productive workplace relations and to prevent industrial disputes. We provide a ‘complete workplace relations’ solution. At the same time organisations have reduced their workplace relations capacity.

Focusing on formulating and implementing appropriate workplace relations strategies means our clients are better positioned to achieve optimal human resource outcomes and minimise disputes. We identify industrial opportunities and threats, and prepare timetables and action plans to supplement the strategy rollout. We also use our extensive experience advising on enterprise bargaining and workplace agreements to help clients meet their commercial and workplace objectives.

Our workplace relations group provides a specialised service for international and local businesses that operate in all industries.

Given our geographic spread, our unrivalled depth of expertise and experience, combined with an understanding of industry drivers, we are best placed to help solve all business issues to ensure you remain competitive and productive.

Our workplace relations services include:

• developing workplace relations strategies
• strategic planning in workplace reform
• developing, negotiating and processing enterprise agreements (including both union and non-union collective agreements)
• identifying opportunities to unlock value in the workplace
• managing the effective implementation and utilisation of individual employment arrangements
• advising on all legal and commercial aspects of outsourcing arrangements, including strategies to address transmission of business and freedom of association issues
• preventing, managing and resolving industrial disputes
• advocacy before industrial tribunals and courts
• assistance with managing media issues during industrial disputes
• dealing with industrial issues in the context of mergers and acquisitions, including pre- and post-merger restructuring and workplace change management strategies
• providing tailored training products to line management to assist them in dealing with workplace issues.
  

Our practice is committed to strengthening relationships with clients, which in turn helps us to best understand the often complex issues presented in this frequently changing landscape. 

We are committed to providing clients with a service that is highly responsive and advice that is both practical and commercial. This is achieved by having Australia’s largest and most experienced group of lawyers with specialist expertise in their field.

Legal Guides

• Chambers Global, top tier ranking 2006, 2007, 2008
• PLC Which Lawyer?, top tier ranking 2006, 2008
• Asia-Pacific Legal 500, top tier ranking 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
• Best Lawyers International, ranked number one, with nine Freehills Employee Relations partners identified as ‘best lawyers’, 2008

Testimonials

• We are recognised as Australia’s premier employee relations practice. Chambers Global 2008 recently noted that the group provides ‘up-to-date, strategic and tailored advice’ and our partners are ‘…always looking to craft lateral solutions’.