 
General protections claims aren't just an issue for employers and employees—they can also arise in contractor relationships. However, the rights and protections available to independent contractors are not always the same.

In this update, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly explore the limits of general protections claims for independent contractors, including when State laws may give rise to workplace rights under the Fair Work Act, the interaction between State and Federal legislation, and the key considerations for businesses engaging contractors.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

&nbsp; General protections claims aren't just an issue for employers and employees&mdash;they can also arise in contractor relationships. However, the rights and protections available to independent contractors are not always the same. In this update,&nbsp;<a href="https://fcwlawyers.com.au/team/jim-babalis/" data-ac-default-color="1">Jim Babalis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-daly-6258381b8/" data-ac-default-color="1">Tom Daly</a>&nbsp;explore the limits of general protections claims for independent contractors, including when State laws may give rise to workplace rights under the&nbsp;Fair Work Act, the interaction between State and Federal legislation, and the key considerations for businesses engaging contractors. Watch this week&rsquo;s Friday Workplace Briefing Video&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/1QP7vNUZW3k" data-ac-default-color="1">here</a>.

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast to update the Australian business community on the most significant developments, issues, and cases across workplace law, with practical suggestions to protect your business and people.

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast to update the Australian business community on the most significant developments, issues, and cases across workplace law, with practical suggestions to protect your business and people.

The Friday Workplace Briefing

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast to update the Australian business community on the most significant developments, issues and cases across workplace law, with practical suggestions to protect your business and people.

The Friday Workplace Briefing is a weekly podcast to update the Australian business community on the most&nbsp;significant&nbsp;developments, issues and cases across workplace law, with practical suggestions to protect your business and people.

  The Friday Workplace Briefing

General Protections Claim limitations for Independent Contractors.  Political Beliefs Protected under State law are not Protected Workplace Laws for Independent Contractors.

What happens when employers assume safety is simply "common sense" or leave critical safety decisions in the hands of their employees?

In this episode, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo explore one of the most important principles in workplace health and safety: an employer's duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace cannot be delegated.

Using a recent court decision as the backdrop, we'll discuss why relying on workers to make their own safety decisions can expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences.

Join us as we examine the key lessons from this important case and discuss what every employer should understand about their ongoing responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

 

What happens when employers assume safety is simply "common sense" or leave critical safety decisions in the hands of their employees? In this episode,&nbsp;<a href="https://fcwlawyers.com.au/team/kim-mclagan/" data-ac-default-color="1">Kim McLagan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcsamo/" data-ac-default-color="1">Monnette Samo</a>&nbsp;explore one of the most important principles in workplace health and safety: an employer's duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace cannot be delegated. Using a recent court decision as the backdrop, we'll discuss why relying on workers to make their own safety decisions can expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences. Join us as we examine the key lessons from this important case and discuss what every employer should understand about their ongoing responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.
Watch this week&rsquo;s Friday Workplace Briefing Video <a href="https://youtu.be/NTNshljamv0" data-ac-default-color="1">here</a>.
&nbsp;

You Can’t Delegate Safety to Employees - It is Always Owned by The Employer Where There are Clear Rules and Failure to Comply with Directions 

This week, Jim Babalis and Tom Daly will be presenting on what Work from Home means for Victorian employers.

The Victorian Government has introduced proposed legislation that could significantly change workplace rights for employees working from home.

If passed, the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026 will introduce a new statutory right for eligible Victorian employees to work from home, creating new obligations for employers and a new dispute resolution framework through VEOHRC and VCAT.

With the first commencement date set for 1 September 2026 (and 1 July 2027 for small businesses), now is the time for employers to understand what these proposed changes could mean for their business.

Whether you're an HR professional, business owner or manager, this vido provides a practical overview of the proposed reforms and the key issues employers should be watching.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

This week,&nbsp;<a href="https://fcwlawyers.com.au/team/jim-babalis/" data-ac-default-color="1">J</a><a href="https://fcwlawyers.com.au/team/jim-babalis/" data-ac-default-color="1">im Babalis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-daly-6258381b8/" data-ac-default-color="1">Tom Daly</a>&nbsp;will be presenting on what Work from Home means for Victorian employers. The Victorian Government has introduced proposed legislation that could significantly change workplace rights for employees working from home. If passed, the&nbsp;Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026&nbsp;will introduce a new statutory right for eligible Victorian employees to work from home, creating new obligations for employers and a new dispute resolution framework through VEOHRC and VCAT. With the first commencement date set for&nbsp;1 September 2026&nbsp;(and&nbsp;1 July 2027&nbsp;for small businesses), now is the time for employers to understand what these proposed changes could mean for their business. Whether you're an HR professional, business owner or manager, this vido provides a practical overview of the proposed reforms and the key issues employers should be watching. Watch this week&rsquo;s Friday Workplace Briefing Video&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/12zQI8PsvDk" data-ac-default-color="1">here</a>.

WFH: What Does it Mean for Victorian Employers 

This week, Kim McLagan and Monnette Samo will be presenting on The Key Role of Supervision in Safety.

A recent NSW Industrial Court case serves as a timely reminder of the importance of effective supervision in the workplace. Following a serious incident involving a worker who suffered life-changing burns, the Court found there had been multiple safety failures, including a total failure of supervision.

The case highlights that supervisors play a critical role in ensuring safe work procedures are followed, workers are properly trained and equipped, and hazards are actively managed.

Watch this week’s Friday Workplace Briefing Video here.

This week,&nbsp;<a href="https://fcwlawyers.com.au/team/kim-mclagan/" data-ac-default-color="1">Kim McLagan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcsamo/" data-ac-default-color="1">Monnette Samo</a>&nbsp;will be presenting on&nbsp;The Key Role of Supervision in Safety. A recent NSW Industrial Court case serves as a timely reminder of the importance of effective supervision in the workplace. Following a serious incident involving a worker who suffered life-changing burns, the Court found there had been multiple safety failures, including a total failure of supervision. The case highlights that supervisors play a critical role in ensuring safe work procedures are followed, workers are properly trained and equipped, and hazards are actively managed. Watch this week&rsquo;s Friday Workplace Briefing Video&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/f8IkmcE3RWw" data-ac-default-color="1">here</a>.

The Key role of Supervision in Safety Making sure Employees are Skilled, capable and Knowledgeable in How to do Work safely is The Cornerstone of Workplace safety-and All of that Rests on the Shoulders of the Supervisor.

General Protections Claim limitations for Independent Contractors. Political Beliefs Protected under State law are not Protected Workplace Laws for Independent Contractors.

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