The range of clients engaging our services has allowed our firm to build up considerable expertise, together with a reputation in the industrial relations area Australia wide for practical and economic solutions to complex problems. Advice and assistance from Jones Ross is available in regard to a wide variety of issues including:

• Design, Negotiation, and Introduction of Collective Workplace Industrial Agreements
• Drafting and Facilitation of individual Australian Workplace Agreements
• Unfair Dismissal Claims, Termination of Employment Procedures
• Representation and Advocacy before Industrial Tribunals
• Anti-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity
• Mediation, Facilitation, Dispute Resolution and Workplace Negotiations
• Interpretation of Industrial Relations Legislation
• Strategic Planning, Development and Review of Personnel Policies and Procedures
• Redundancy/Outplacement
• Workplace and Cultural Change
• Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management and Payroll Audits
• Development of Work and Family Policies and Procedures
• Development of Workplace Training

View details of these services below and please contact us to discuss your requirements.

DESIGN, NEGOTIATION AND INTRODUCTION OF COLLECTIVE WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS

We have been involved in and can provide clients with extensive advice and assistance regarding the implementation of enterprise/site specific Collective Workplace Agreements.

Treatment of all industrial relations and human resource issues in this area is undertaken in the light of an organisation’s objectives and corporate strategy and with an appreciation of the existing external environment (i.e. relevant industrial framework; government legislation; potential union coverage; etc).

We are able to provide specialist advice and assistance to clients regarding:

• The options available in terms of different forms of Agreements and the processes for achieving mutually beneficial agreement between employers and employees.
• Strategic planning for any negotiations to be undertaken.
• Employee, managerial and consultative committee training.
• Best practice research.
• Facilitating focus groups and/or participating in negotiations.
• Drafting of Agreements.
• Registration of Agreement

Emphasis is placed on addressing the practical and strategic needs of the particular enterprise.

DRAFTING AND IMPLEMENATION OF AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS

We have been involved in and can provide clients with advice and assistance regarding the drafting and implementation of enterprise specific Australian Workplace Agreements.

Emphasis is placed on the organisation’s objectives and corporate strategy and with an appreciation of the existing external environment (i.e. relevant industrial framework; government legislation; potential union coverage; etc).

UNFAIR DISMISSAL CLAIMS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES

Emphasis in this area is placed on advice and guidance in establishing and managing disciplinary and termination procedures to minimise the costs of possible unfair dismissal litigation. Should assistance in defending an unfair dismissal claim become necessary, our experienced staff can assist in the preparation and conduct of the case.

REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY BEFORE INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNALS

We offer clients access to a broad range of advocacy experience in both State and federal industrial tribunals including defending underpayment of wages claims and breaches of relevant legislation. We believe our experience in advocacy before tribunals ensures the closest attention to our client’s interest focusing at all times on cost effectiveness.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We can advise on employer’s obligations and liability under State and federal anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation including the implementation of strategies and procedures to ensure compliance with the legislation.

Our experience includes:

• Drafting discrimination policies and procedures;
• Assisting clients with prevention and risk management strategies;
• Assisting clients to conduct investigations and handle workplace grievances.

We offer clients representational services before the various State and federal tribunals including communication/negotiation with Tribunal officers, representation at the conciliation stage of a case and preparing briefs for the conduct of a full hearing before the relevant Tribunal.

MEDIATION, FACILITATION, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND WORKPLACE NEGOTIATIONS

We can inject an objective and impartial perspective into workplace negotiations at all levels. Emphasis is on achieving outcomes beneficial to all while minimising costly stoppages and the spreading of the grievance.

INTERPRETATION OF INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION

We can provide advice on the content, effect and implications of all industrial relations and related legislation Australia wide, including the Workplace Relations Act (Cth) and legislation dealing with long service leave and annual leave.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Our in-depth knowledge and understanding of industrial relations and human resource issues allows us to provide expert assistance to clients in the development of corporate industrial relations policies and strategies. Specific issues include:

• Development of Contracts of Employment
• Disciplinary procedures
• Payroll/Award procedures
• Job analysis and descriptions
• Organisational structure
• Development and review of employee handbooks
• Quality manuals
• Rationalisation of employment conditions
• Remuneration surveys, analysis, and determination
• Training needs analysis
• Development of work and family policies

REDUNDANCY / OUTPLACEMENT

Redundancy negotiations can be expertly and sensitively handled with Unions in ‘Award bound’ circumstances and in the case of staff level redundancy, more specialised packages can be co-ordinated.

We are aware of current standards both legislated and in practice.

WORKPLACE AND CULTURAL CHANGE

Assistance is available in terms of planning and implementing sensitive changes to the workplace in a manner that ensures compliance with legal obligations. Training is an integral part of effecting workplace and cultural change and we are able to assist clients to identify areas where training is required and design and conduct appropriate training programs.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PAYROLL AUDITS

We can provide a comprehensive assessment of a client’s industrial relations position including Award despondency and compliance with Fair Pay and Conditions Standard, Awards, Agreements and relevant industrial relations and associated legislation.