Keep Your Promises

Two recent decisions of the Federal Court serve as a warning to employers to honour the promises they make to current and prospective employees and also carefully review how they draft their employment contracts and policies.

In the first case the employee had lodged a grievance against a fellow worker which was not investigated or resolved in a timely manner. The employee later claimed he suffered an illness that resulted from his former employer failing to adhere to its policies about provisions of a safe and healthy workplace, preventing harassment and handling grievances.

In both cases, the employer was held to be bound by the promises it made in general company policies even though the promises were not expressly included in the employment contract. The employers were held to liable to pay substantial damages of between four and five years’ pay with interest and future loss of income.

These cases are important because they demonstrate how mishandling of a formal compliant about co-workers intimidating and threatening behavior can lead to sizable damages being awarded” said Craig McFadden of Savvy Human Resources, a Ballina based human resources consultancy.

“There is also an added cost to the business beyond financial penalties – bullying and harassment leads to unmotivated staff, increased absenteeism and higher staff turnover”, said Mr. McFadden. “An employment contract that provides for an annual performance review and none is conducted may also leave an employer open to a breach of contract claim”, he said.

The Supreme Court of NSW also recently found that employers have an implied duty of good faith, and mutual trust and confidence even where there is no written employment contract. In a separate case an employee was reinstated and then sought damages including $350,000 in costs following the employer’s delay in commencing a misconduct investigation and its failure to interview a key witness face to face.

Following these cases it is clear that provisions in workplace policies can be legally enforceable as contractual provisions and employers should take care in drafting employment contracts and policies so as not to be left open to breach of contract claims. Employers should carefully consider their dealings with employees so as to ensure they are acting in good faith, otherwise their actions may lead to an order for damages to an affected employee.

For further information go to: http://www.savvyhr.com.au

NRBM
T: 02 6685 4516
F: 02 6685 4518
W: Northern Rivers Business magazine
E: email Northern Rivers Business Magazine
P: PO Box 130 Suffolk Park NSW 2481

Northern Rivers Web Design

The Small Print:
Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences, including any loss or damage arising from the reliance on information in this publication. The views expressed in Northern Rivers Business Magazine are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, internet or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.