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The Friday Workplace Briefing

The Friday Workplace Briefing

Andrew Douglas 100 Episodes Oct 11, 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

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
The Growth of More Serious Criminal Charges in Safety
The Growth of More Serious Criminal Charges in Safety Aug 6, 2026 1618 In this episode, Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis explore the growing trend of serious criminal prosecutions arising from workplace safety incidents. Using South Australia's first industrial manslaughter prosecution as a starting point, they discuss how regulators are increasingly pursuing significant penalties against companies, directors, and individuals following workplace fat
The New Fair Work Court-what is it, When will it Happen and How will it Change our World
The New Fair Work Court-what is it, When will it Happen and How will it Change our World Aug 2, 2026 1592 The Federal Government has announced its intention to establish a new Fair Work Court—the most significant proposed change to Australia's workplace relations system in almost 30 years.Join Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis as they discuss what this proposal could mean for employers, including how workplace disputes may be resolved in the future, what is currently known,
The Test for Termination Based on not Fit for The Inherent Requirements of The Job  “Not Fit now or in The Foreseeable Future to Undertake the Inherent Requirements of The Job with Reasonable Adjustments”
The Test for Termination Based on not Fit for The Inherent Requirements of The Job “Not Fit now or in The Foreseeable Future to Undertake the Inherent Requirements of The Job with Reasonable Adjustments” Jul 23, 2026 1761 When is an employee no longer able to perform the inherent requirements of their role, and when can an employer lawfully rely on incapacity as a reason for termination?In this session, Andrew Douglas and Jim Babalis will discuss the legal test for termination based on an employee's capacity to perform the inherent requirements of their position, and the key considerations for e
General Protections Claim limitations for Independent Contractors.  Political Beliefs Protected under State law are not Protected Workplace Laws for Independent Contractors.
General Protections Claim limitations for Independent Contractors. Political Beliefs Protected under State law are not Protected Workplace Laws for Independent Contractors. Jul 19, 2026 2078  General protections claims aren't just an issue for employers and employees—they can also arise in contractor relationships. However, the rights and protections available to independent contractors are not always the same.In this update, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly explore the limits of general protections claims for independent contractors, including when State laws m

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