Employment Law
At Finemore Walters & Story, we have considerable experience in providing cost-effective, timely solutions for organisations, businesses and employees.
With over 50 proud years of leadership in law, our firm is committed to carrying on the legacy of our forebearers as trusted advisors. With a focus on the local people and businesses of our region we take great pride in offering the region’s most dedicated employment law division that assists both employers and employees in an unbiased manner.
Finemore Walters & Story are here to deliver high-quality employment law assistance across the Bundaberg and the greater Wide Bay Burnett region. Clear-thinking, progressive, compassionate, and steeped in the local community – that’s Finemore Walters & Story.
We take a practical approach to resolving workplace disputes and can deliver a range of solutions, such as:
- Advising on workplace policies and rights
- Providing dispute resolution measures
- Assisting in investigations and disciplinary hearings
- Assisting in the preparation of materials when necessary
- Representing clients during dispute resolution such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and litigation
- Drafting settlement documents
- Redundancy
- Being made redundant or making an employee redundant can be a devastating time for all involved. Often, employers are forced to make their employees redundant when burdened with financial pressures. However, this is not always the case. Regardless of whether the redundancy is voluntary or mandatory, it can sometimes be difficult to prove the genuine nature of the redundancy.
For Employees
Finemore Walters & Story is well-versed in representing employees, with considerable experience in drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and advising on employment contracts and employee rights. We will address any concerns you might have regarding your employment contract and help you adapt it to meet your specific needs.
We can also help you negotiate for fairer terms that reduce risk and improve job security, if need be.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
Sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace is never tolerable – if you find yourself in an uncomfortable position at your workplace, our employment lawyers are here to help.
The Finemore Walters & Story lawyers can help you to claim compensation for any lost income, victimisation, distress, social isolation or suffering that you have endured as a result of workplace sexual harassment and/or discrimination. We will act with compassion and sensitivity for these issues and always provide legal solutions discreetly.
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Unfortunately, bullying and harassment in the workplace is all too common. If you have been victimised or subjected to recurrent, distressing behaviour in your workplace, regardless of position or standing in the company, we are here to help.
The employment law at Finemore Walters & Story can assert your rights, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in the Fair Work Commission.
Employment Policies
Employment policies and procedures create safer, more efficient working environments.
Written documents that outline a company’s policy, communicating values, beliefs, and a code of standard can help employees understand what is expected of them, particularly in regard to their behaviour and performance.
If a policy is in breach and disputes escalate, our team can step in and mediate.
Employment Disputes
At some point in your working life, it is likely that you will experience conflict, and it is the handling of disputes that determines employee and employer responses. Whilst there is a common misconception that employment lawyers should only be engaged in reaction to a complaint, disputes are often prevented by early legal intervention. Our employment lawyers can mediate conflict and help an employer understand employee rights from the onset. Common types of disputes include discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, general protections/unfair dismissal, the misuse of information or defamation.
FAQ's
Our consultation fee for employment & industrial matter is $275. Our team can provide you with tailored and practical advice during the consultation to assist you in understanding your rights and obligations. Should you wish for our team to handle the matter for you after the consultation, we can provide you with an upfront fee estimate or fixed fee depending on the matter type.
The facts and circumstances of a claim will dictate whether a general protections claim or unfair dismissal claim is made. There are benefits to a general protections claim in terms of the remedies available, such as compensation for hurt and humiliation and there being no cap on the compensation claimable, which is not the case in unfair dismissal claims.
Generally, most employee’s employment is governed by an employment contract. Such contract might be in the form of a written document, or it could be a verbal agreement or exchange of emails. Employment contracts often set out the rights and obligations of both parties to the agreement, so if you have an employment contract, you will be able to refer to that when trying to understand your rights and/or obligations.
Legislation such as the Fair Work Act 2009 sets out standards for employment which must be met in order for that employment to be legal.
Your employment may be covered by an award or enterprise agreement, which would also state any additional rights you may be entitled to. It is important to check whether or not any of these apply to your employment.
If you believe that your employer may have breached your employment rights, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our firm has a long history of dealing with employment law and will be able to provide you with a detailed description of your case and how it is likely to play out in court. Claims made with the Fair Work Commission need to be filed within a certain time period (21 Days), so if you are having any doubts at all, seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Meet our Team
The following team members at Finemore Walters & Story provide Employment Law services:
Disclaimer: The content on this webpage is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us to speak to a lawyer for advice specific to you and your circumstances.
Finemore Walters & Story
Our focus is on providing high quality legal services. Please contact us in Bundaberg, Childers or Mundubbera.
Contact Us
For assistance or for more information contact us using the below enquiry form or call us to speak with one of our friendly staff.
