Employment Law

Our lawyers are able to assist you with any difficulties you’re having at work.

Your Wages & Conditions

Do you think you’re being underpaid? Are your employment conditions not being observed? It’s often difficult to determine exactly what you’re entitled to and exactly what you’re required to do as part of your job. Your pay and working conditions may be set by a complicated contract, award, or enterprise agreement.

Our lawyers can help you understand your entitlements and make sure you receive them.

Dismissal & Redundancy

Being forced out of your job—either through dismissal or redundancy—can be a stressful and traumatic experience, particularly if you think you’ve been treated unfairly by your employer.

If your employer has made you redundant, our lawyers can help you ensure that you’ve been treated fairly and legally. We can make sure that you’ve received everything you’re entitled to under law.

Our lawyers can also assist you if you’ve been dismissed from your employment. Most employees enjoy basic protections against ‘unfair’ dismissals. A dismissal is unfair if it’s harsh, unjust, or unreasonable. You may have been unfairly dismissed if, for example—

  • there was no valid reason for your dismissal relating to your conduct or your capacity to do your job;
  • you were not notified of the reason for your dismissal;
  • you were not given an opportunity to respond to your employer’s reasons before you were finally dismissed;
  • your employer refused to allow you to have a support person present at any discussions about the dismissal; or
  • the dismissal related to unsatisfactory performance and you were not given a warning.

Remedies for unfair dismissal can include reinstatement and compensation.

If you think you’ve been unfairly dismissed, you should seek legal advice urgently. The time limits for taking action are extremely tight, and you could be seriously prejudiced if you do not consult a lawyer immediately.

Discrimination

The law provides protections against violation of fundamental rights in the workplace. For example, it is generally unlawful for an employer to take adverse action against you on the basis of:

  • race;
  • colour;
  • sex;
  • sexual preference;
  • disability;
  • marital status;
  • family or carer responsibilities;
  • pregnancy;
  • religion;
  • political opinion;
  • national extraction;
  • social origin; or
  • involvement or non-involvement in an industrial organisation such as a trade union.

If an employer dismisses you, demotes you, treats you differently to other employees, or even refuses to employ you in the first place because of one or more of the characteristics mentioned above, you may be entitled to remedies including compensation. These protections generally also apply to independent contractors (such as tradespeople).

If you think your rights have been violated, it is important that you seek legal advice quickly, as time limits apply and you could be prevented from taking action.