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As Australia’s restrictions on movement begin to ease, many organisations are preparing to either return to their physical workplaces or to ramp up their workforces as operations transition into the "new normal”. The transition will take time.
In this series we start conversations about the key issues for Australian organisations to consider as we set out on the quest for a resilient and sustainable future.
The Australian economy remains in a period of forced hibernation. Although each industry has been impacted differently to others, no business is unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three central pillars of Australia’s industrial relations system have proved that they can act decisively when they have to. But when we ultimately return back to normal, our IR laws will go back to where they were. Anyway, who can tell what will be ‘normal’ in a year’s time?
Thursday 14 May 2020
This webinar hosted by Drew Pearson discusses preparing businesses to return their people to work including: Safety first – planning the transition back to the workplace (Nerida Jessup); Returning to the physical office – navigating the "new normal" (Catherine Pase); and Real life case study of our approach at HSF (Alan Peckham).
In this series of short videos, our experts share their insights on how employers can prepare for and embrace this "new normal".
Drew Pearson – Employment and Industrial Relations Partner, Sydney
Published: Wednesday 6 May
Steve Bell – Safety Partner, Melbourne
Published: Wednesday 6 May
Nicholas Ogilvie – Employment and Industrial Relations Partner, Melbourne
Published: Thursday 7 May
Wendy Fauvel – Employment and Industrial Relations Executive Counsel, Brisbane
Published: Thursday 7 May
Kaman Tsoi – Privacy, Information, and Data Special Counsel, Melbourne
Published: Friday 8 May
Danielle Kelly – Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Sydney
Published: Friday 8 May
Lucy Boyd, Senior Associate – Melbourne, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Monday 11 May
Anthony Wood, Partner – Melbourne, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Monday 11 May
Natalie Gaspar, Partner – Melbourne, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Tuesday 12 May
Rachel Dawson, Senior Associate – Perth, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Tuesday 12 May
Michael Gonski, Partner – Sydney, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Wednesday 13 May
Drew Pearson, Partner – Sydney, Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety
Published: Wednesday 13 May
Legislative protection against mandating use of the COVIDSafe app proposed - 08 May 2020 |
Contact tracing – balancing civil liberties 23 April 2020 |
Flexibility provisions in Modern Awards 03 April 2020 |
Summary of the COVIDSafe app 01 May 2020 |
Contracting tips in light of COVID-19 09 April 2020 |
Temporary amendments to Modern Awards concerning leave entitlements - 03 April 2020 |
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2025
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