It’s our goal to ensure that your business thrives and enjoys positive employee relationships, despite the challenges that legal red tape poses for all businesses. We understand that advice on employment law needs to be not only accurate, specific and commercial, but also swift. We have the experience to achieve this and to solve your problems.
Our team
We focus on getting to know you, developing long-term relationships as we guide you through the ever-changing legal and industrial environment. We assist you by drafting employment contracts which minimise exposure to awards, lessen the risk of claims and emphasise clarity, flexibility and simplicity.
We have acted for both employers and employees in a broad range of industries, including hospitality, retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, aged care, finance, professional services, building and construction, as well as the not-for-profit sector and government.
Expertise
- Advice in relation to the Fair Work Act
- Enterprise agreements, employment agreements and letters of appointment
- Terminating employees and managing employee exits
- Post-employment restraints
- Restraint of trade, confidential information and privacy
- Negotiation with WorkCover, insurers and trade unions
- Advice on application of awards and employee statutory and award entitlements
- Contractor and employee agreements
- Redundancy and restructuring
- Managing employee underperformance
- Managing ill or injured employees
- Managing employee grievances and workplace disputes
- Workplace surveillance and monitoring of internet and email use
- Harassment and bullying matters
- Industrial disputes
- Awards and Statutory obligations of employers
- Workplace polices — general
- Workplace policies – industrial instruments
- Advice on performance & conduct
- Advice on workplace surveillance
- Advice on right of entry
- Advice on anti-discrimination
- Advice on diversity
- Advice on competition issues/restraints
- Unfair Dismissals
- Complex Workplace investigations
- Standard workplace investigations
Useful Links
Publications
Workplace Relationships: The Legal Position (Coldplay Concert Edition)
The recent story of colleagues (a Chief Executive Officer and Chief People Officer (CPO)) whose apparent relationship was captured on…
Dismissal for Dissent?
The recent unfair dismissal decision of the Fair Work Commission, Shaun Turner v Darebin City Council [2025] FWC 1763, in which Deputy…
Important Workplace Relations Changes Effective 1 July 2025
Employers and employees alike should be aware of important changes in the workplace relations arena, effective 1 July 2025. From that date:the high income…
In the News
Michael Byrnes appeared on Breakfast with Tim Webster on 2SM on 23 July 2025 to discuss workplace relationships and that Coldplay concert
Michael Byrnes appeared on Breakfast with Tim Webster on 2SM on 23 July 2025 to discuss workplace relationships and that…
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “Coldplay controversy exposes HR vulnerability in leadership relationships”, published in HR Leader on 23 July 2025
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “Coldplay controversy exposes HR vulnerability in leadership relationships”, published in HR Leader on…
Michael Byrnes’ article “7 common questions about workplace relationships”, was published on HRM Online on 22 July 2025
Michael Byrnes’ article “7 common questions about workplace relationships”, was published on HRM Online on 22 July 2025To read the full…