As we move into the new year, there are important law changes that HR leaders are still grappling with
This article was provided by Herbert Smith Freehills partner Shivchand Jhinku, senior associate James Banh and vacation clerk Isobel Patmore
2021 has seen Australian employment law respond to multiple challenges across various industries and social issues. In particular, businesses and HR professionals should be aware of the evolving laws surrounding COVID-19 vaccination mandates and how this may affect workplaces moving into the new year.
Throughout 2021, businesses and HR professionals have seen a significant change in the Australian workplace environment through the rapid development and uptake of working from home, hybrid and flexible working. Australian employment law has been trying to keep up with these changes, and to tackle the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and other employment issues. Some of the key themes in employment law across 2021 have been vaccine mandates, the permanent shift towards hybrid working, a casual employment and the gig economy, and reforms to workplace sexual harassment laws.
As the COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out across Australia in 2021, employers and HR professionals faced legal uncertainty around mandating vaccination in the workplace, and whether a blanket mandate across the workforce irrespective of an employee’s workplace location could constitute a lawful and reasonable direction. Such issues...
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