ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONTEXT FOR OPENING UP SHOP
Australia is home to some of the western world’s most complex employment-related legislation. our unique system combines ‘statutory instruments’ such as ‘Awards’, ‘enterprise Agreements’, and detailed state and federal employment laws with more settled common law principles. In addition, each of Australia’s six states and two territories has its own workplace health and safety legislation (now largely harmonised), anti-discrimination laws, ‘long service leave’ benefits and workers’ compensation laws.
Far too many Australian-based employers fail to comprehend the need to obtain expert advice when setting up shop in this jurisdiction. furthermore, ongoing access to legal advice and support is critical to avoid common employment related claims such as allegations of ‘unfair dismissal’, discrimination or ‘adverse action’. Many businesses here routinely engage employment lawyers to ensure compliance and reduce their risk profile.
ABOUT US
Harmers Workplace Lawyers was formed in 1996 and is one of Australia’s largest employment and industrial law practices with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The firm focuses on innovative, high quality problem solving and a preventive approach to law across all areas of employment and industrial law.
We are perhaps unique in Australian employment practices in that, while having an emphasis on corporate Australia and its senior executives, the firm seeks to implement workplace fairness for all, and will represent employers, employees and their representative organisations as needed (subject to there being no conflict of interest). Harmers has represented many of Australia’s largest corporations, CEOs and senior executives across a broad range of industries, and has run some of Australia’s landmark cases in employment and discrimination.