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The Friday Workplace Briefing

The Friday Workplace Briefing

Andrew Douglas 100 Episodes Nov 4, 2026

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast that keeps the Australian business community informed about the latest developments, issues, and cases in workplace law. Hosted by Andrew Douglas, it offers practical guidance to help employers protect their businesses and people. Each episode breaks down complex legal topics into actionable advice. The show is designed for business owners, HR professionals, and managers who need to stay on top of employment law changes.

Episodes

Work From Home – Is it a Right,  a Mere Request and Business Reasons to Refuse
Work From Home – Is it a Right, a Mere Request and Business Reasons to Refuse Nov 4, 2026 1416 In this Friday Workplace Briefing, Andrew and Monnette Samo discuss the new working-from-home provisions under the Clerks - Private Sector Award, how the surge in flexible work applications will leverage the new provisions and what the changes are to the Award. They also answer the question of who can request WFH, how flexible work requests will be used and how to respond.  “Disclaimer:
Migration, New Restrictions, Exploitation and Commercial Risk
Migration, New Restrictions, Exploitation and Commercial Risk Oct 30, 2026 1750 In this Friday Workplace Briefing, Andrew and Madelyn Hassan discuss the dangers of reduced migration to business, new migration restrictions suggested by Labor and Liberal and how to manage it when it happens underpayment risks and more. “Disclaimer: This briefing is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Before acting or relying on its contents
When Your Angry Employee Hits the Ai Button the Endless Nonsensical Railings of Ai Claims and Defences and How to Manage Them
When Your Angry Employee Hits the Ai Button the Endless Nonsensical Railings of Ai Claims and Defences and How to Manage Them Oct 22, 2026 1732 The Friday Workplace Briefing discusses the weaponization of AI in employee complaints and claims and how employers can defend themselves, as well as defeating General Protections claims by quarantining the decision maker. Andrew and Kim also discuss new changes in Qld IR law aligning Qld IR with the rest of Australia, and Workers’ Compensation, including similar new rules around psychologic
Is AI the Death of HR or Its New Super-Power?
Is AI the Death of HR or Its New Super-Power? Oct 15, 2026 1711 Is AI the death of HR or its new superpower?Andrew Douglas and Tanya Maithani discuss the implications of AI in the workforce as it continues to grow. As AI transforms the way HR teams recruit, manage performance and plan their workforce, it leaves us to question whether human judgement still plays a fundamental role and whether HR will survive it. The good news is it will survive and flourish at
New Victorian Law Coming Empowering Reps and Doubling Reckless Endangerment Penalties
New Victorian Law Coming Empowering Reps and Doubling Reckless Endangerment Penalties Oct 11, 2026 1132 Victoria passes safety law changes that double prison time for employees and directorsAndrew Douglas and Kim McLagan discuss the new Victorian Law coming to Double Reckless Endangerment Penalties and how this legislative change will empower Safety Representatives.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Complexity of Managing Performance in a Psychologically and Culturally Safe Manner.
The Complexity of Managing Performance in a Psychologically and Culturally Safe Manner. Oct 4, 2026 1196 Managing performance in today’s diverse workplace is increasingly complex.Andrew Douglas and Tom Daly discuss the growing importance of cultural and psychological safety when managing employee performance, and the key considerations for employers.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Managing Complex Disability Adjustments and What happens when it goes Wrong.
Managing Complex Disability Adjustments and What happens when it goes Wrong. Sep 27, 2026 1339 What happens when a disability adjustment becomes complex — and what happens when things go wrong?In this episode, Andrew Douglas & Tanya Maithani discuss Managing Complex Disability Adjustments and What Happens When It Goes Wrong, sharing their perspectives on the challenges that can arise and what can happen when things don’t go as planned.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace
Do You really Love Christmas-after Parties and Discipline
Do You really Love Christmas-after Parties and Discipline Sep 17, 2026 1136 With Christmas functions fast approaching, a recent Fair Work Commission decision is a timely reminder that the work function may not necessarily end when the official event does.What happens when the celebrations continue, things go wrong, and employee conduct becomes a workplace issue?In our latest podcast, Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan discuss the recent decision in Bell v Arts Centre Melbourn
The Need for a Factual Nexus
The Need for a Factual Nexus Sep 13, 2026 1323 When is a flexible work request genuinely connected to an employee’s age?Andrew Douglas and Monnette Samo discuss a recent Fair Work Commission decision that explores this question and what it means for employers and employees.Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
First Case on Right to Disconnect Shows How Tough It is for Employees to Win
First Case on Right to Disconnect Shows How Tough It is for Employees to Win Sep 6, 2026 1338 The Right to Disconnect - What does it actually mean?The first case to consider the new right to disconnect provisions provides important insight into what employers and employees need to know.Join Andrew Douglas and Kim McLagan as they discuss Kalleske v McGuire and explore the critical distinction between unreasonable out-of-hours contact and the consequences of not
Royal Commission into Big Build Corruption
Royal Commission into Big Build Corruption Aug 30, 2026 969 The Royal Commission into Big Build Corruption – What You Need to KnowIn our latest podcast, Andrew Douglas is joined by Madelyn Hassan , who is stepping in front of the camera for the first time after helping behind the scenes with the FCW podcast preparation.Together, they discuss the newly established Royal Commission into the integrity of major Victorian infrastructur
How Ai is The Bully’s Tool
How Ai is The Bully’s Tool Aug 13, 2026 1010 What happens when workplace conflict meets AI?In a recent Fair Work Commission decision, a body corporate committee was found to have repeatedly behaved unreasonably towards a caretaker, creating a risk to her health and safety and warranting a stop-bullying order.The decision also highlights an emerging issue for employers and employees: the use of AI in workplace correspondence. The Commission c

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