On 21 February 2025, Elizabeth Devine will be presenting a paper on ‘Strategic Adjustments: Addressing Mental Health and Injuries in the Modern Workplace’ at The Education Network’s 10th Melbourne Employment Law Conference.  In her presentation, Elizabeth will explain why management of issues arising in relation to the mental health of employees and long term absent employees is one of the most complex aspects of employment law, due to the myriad of laws which need to be understood and navigated.   Not only must employers be mindful of the risks of an unfair dismissal or general protections claim, they must also consider the impact of anti-discrimination legislation, work health and safety legislation and workers compensation legislation.  In addition to understanding and applying the law, employers will often have to grapple with an array of often complex medical and capacity issues as well as the challenges of gaining the cooperation of employees and their treating doctors.  In her presentation, Elizabeth will examine both the legal and practical aspects of making a sound, defensible and legally compliant decisions when managing mental health in the workplace, including decisions about whether, or not, to dismiss ill, injured or otherwise disabled employees.

More information about the conference is available at https://www.tved.net.au/conferences/melfeb25/10th-annual-melbourne-employment-law-conference