This episode marks the first in a new Ashurst series on Employment and Safety law developments in Australia. After collaborating on a landmark psychosocial risk court case, Ashurst partner Scarlet Reid and State Chambers barrister Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC reflect on what employers might learn.

Along the way, Scarlet and Bruce discusses the threshold for psychosocial harm and whether stress meets that test, the complexities of what constitutes “reasonable management action” and the importance of regularly updating employer policies. They also emphasise the value of training and instruction for line managers so that they can handle sensitive discussions in a way that is legally compliant, psychologically safe, and appropriate.

“There’s so much learning to come in this area,” Scarlet adds. “Guidance from courts will be very important as this area of the law continues to develop.”

To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes in this series search for “Ashurst Legal Outlook” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. And to find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit ashurst.com/podcasts.

The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

This episode marks the first in a new Ashurst series on <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/what-we-do/services/ashurst-legal/employment/">Employment and Safety law</a>&nbsp;developments in Australia. After collaborating on a landmark psychosocial risk court case, <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/en/people/scarlet-reid/">Ashurst partner Scarlet Reid</a> and State Chambers barrister <a href="https://statechambers.net/bruce-hodgkinson-am-sc/">Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC</a> reflect on what employers might learn.
Along the way, Scarlet and Bruce discusses the threshold for psychosocial harm and whether stress meets that test, the complexities of what constitutes &ldquo;reasonable management action&rdquo; and the importance of regularly updating employer policies. They also emphasise the value of training and instruction for line managers so that they can handle sensitive discussions in a way that is legally compliant, psychologically safe, and appropriate.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s so much learning to come in this area,&rdquo; Scarlet adds. &ldquo;Guidance from courts will be very important as this area of the law continues to develop.&rdquo;
To listen to this and subscribe to future episodes in this series search for &ldquo;Ashurst Legal Outlook&rdquo; on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player. And to find out more about the full range of Ashurst podcasts, visit <a href="https://www.ashurst.com/podcasts">ashurst.com/podcasts</a>.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

The commercial world is always changing and the legal landscape never stands still. Keeping pace with all those changes, and knowing how they affect your organisation, is a big responsibility and a challenging task. Ashurst Legal Outlook will keep you at the forefront of the most pressing legal issues, offering insights from legal experts across our international network.

A podcast series that will keep you across the global trends and local issues that are shaping the legal landscape and impacting organisations.

Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

Ashurst Legal Outlook

State Chambers barrister Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC joins Ashurst Employment partner Scarlet Reid to explore the fast-changing legal risks associated with psychosocial hazards in the workplace. A must-listen for HR leaders, employers, and in-house legal counsels across Australia.

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