Dealing with New Workplace Sexual Harassment Laws in Your School
The Government is changing the law to ensure that workplaces are safer and to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment. What are the proposed changes? What should schools do to comply with the new laws? What must you do to ensure your school is safe? How should you manage sexual harassment complaints and conduct an investigation? Can you summarily dismiss employees who engaged in sexual harassment? The answers will be canvassed in this comprehensive analysis from leading lawyers in the area. WEB219N02C
Description
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair: Marg Blythman, Principal, St Joseph's College, Mildura
9.00am to 10.00am Applying the Respect@Work Report: Key Legislative Changes
- Key recommendations for schools to be aware of
- Legislative changes including the Fair Work Act and Sex Discrimination Act
- The impact for school leaders managing the workplace
Presented by Georgina Alexandrou, Special Counsel, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
10.00am to 11.00am Ensuring your Workplace is a Safe Place
- Proactively setting up the right policies and procedures
- Building a workplace culture based on respect and inclusivity
- Encouraging active bystander intervention
- Positive duty for schools
Presented by Jennifer Parkes, Partner, Hickson Lawyers
11.00am to 11.10am Break
11.10am to 12.10pm Managing the Workplace Pre and Post a Complaint of Sexual Harassment
- Best practice in handling public scrutiny
- Providing safe avenues and complaint pathways
- Protective factors for staff and encouraging bystander intervention
Presented by Christa Lenard, Partner, Kingston Reid
12.10pm to 1.10pm Managing Workplace Investigations into Complaints
- What court decisions tells us about what makes a good or a flawed investigation
- Vicarious liability: When can a school be responsible for staff misconduct?
- Resolving the issues post-investigation: when to opt for disciplinary action, coaching or mediation
- Workplace misconduct vs criminal conduct
- Guidance for schools when the investigation results in litigation
Presented by Paul O’Halloran, Partner, Colin Biggers & Paisley
For Teachers:
Attend and earn 4 Professional Development Hours (NSW)
Completing this conference will contribute 3 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority PD addressing 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW
Attend and earn 4 CPD points (QLD, WA, SA)
Attending this conference will contribute 3 hours of CPD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining teacher registration
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
Attend and earn 4 hours of PD (VIC)
Attending this conference will contribute 3 hours of PD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining
Proficient Teacher registration in Victoria.
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
For Lawyers:
Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law
Presenters
Georgina Alexandrou
Georgina Alexandrou is an accomplished legal practitioner with over 20 years top-tier domestic and international experience in human resources, workplace relations and discrimination law. Georgina is a senior leader in the Brisbane team of Leading Employment Law Firm, Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Georgina works across a wide range of industries, including education, mining and energy, integrated services, retail, manufacturing, medical and finance. A significant part of Georgina’s practice relates to her expertise in sexual harassment and workplace investigations.
Jennifer Parkes
Jennifer is a litigation lawyer, with over 10 years’ experience, who specialises in workers compensation, education and discrimination matters. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Newcastle and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England. She began with the firm in 2006 and is admitted to practice in NSW and the High Court of Australia. In addition to her expertise in education, Jennifer can provide insights on current trends in complaints and, critically, strategic advice on the most appropriate response to issues.
Paul O’Halloran
Paul is a partner in the Employment and Safety team at Colin Biggers & Paisley and an Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations. He helps resolve complex matters in the workplace, with a particular focus on corporate and institutional culture, child safety and protection, serious misconduct, employee misdeeds and reputational risk. Paul has particular expertise in the education sector, advising independent non-government schools, governing bodies, religious orders, denominations and child care providers on contemporary employment and education law issues involving staff, students and parents.
Christa Lenard
Christa is regarded as a dynamic, insightful and approachable lawyer who is focused on finding the very best solutions for her clients. Clients value Christa’s pragmatism and commitment to really understand them, their business’ key stakeholders, and their strategic and operating environments. Christa’s deep technical expertise and experience in navigating workforce hurdles to help clients achieve their operational objectives is second-to-none. She is renowned for her ability to think outside the square when designing and implementing strategies for industrial change. Christa has a strong State and Federal Government practice, acting as a trusted advisor on many complex employment matters.