Over the last few months, Ai Group's Workplace Advice Line and Workplace Lawyers have reported a significant increase in calls and enquiries from members around Redundancy.

Callers refer to a range of reasons for the enquiries such as challenging economic conditions, reduction in demand, restructuring, employee conduct and many others.

This session drilled down into Redundancy and provided advice and guidance for those considering it as an option for separation of employment.

Redundancy is a result of an employer's decision to remove a position that is no longer required to be performed by anyone.

Aside from obligations relating to severance payments, there are also various procedural considerations with respect to communications with employees and the selection of positions for redundancy.

Employers need to make sure they:

• comply with relevant obligations in the applicable award/enterprise agreement with respect to consultation;
• consider unfair dismissal risk and an ability to demonstrate 'genuine redundancy'; and
• consider general protections and discrimination risks when decisions are being made about the selection of positions/employees.

This webinar provides key recommendations and practical guidance on:

• redundancy principles and approaches;
• relevant legislation and interaction with industrial instruments, employment contracts and company policies; and
• key considerations to assist with:
  • ensuring obligations in industrial instruments and the Fair Work Act are met; and
  • mitigating risk with respect to unfair dismissal, general protections, and discrimination.

Case studies highlight where employers have got it right and not so right and what the implications can be.

Presenters:

Katie Hossain, Lawyer, Ai Group Workplace Lawyers and Workplace Relations Adviser, Ai Group

Daniel Murray, Legal Practitioner Director, Ai Group Workplace Lawyers and Principal Adviser, Workplace Relations, Ai Group

Moderator:

Terry Crotty, Regional Manager NSW, Ai Group