Overview
Managing ill and injured employees has become one of the most complex legal and workplace challenges facing Australian employers. Beyond traditional employment law risks, organisations must now navigate evolving obligations relating to workplace mental health, psychosocial hazards, psychological injuries, privacy, workers’ compensation and return-to-work (RTW) management. Failure to manage these issues appropriately can expose employers to significant legal, financial and reputational risks, including discrimination, adverse action, unfair dismissal, privacy breaches and workers’ compensation claims.
Employers are also under increasing scrutiny when managing employees experiencing mental health conditions, prolonged absenteeism, medical incapacity or work-related psychological injuries. From obtaining and using medical information appropriately to investigating suspected misuse of personal leave and implementing reasonable workplace adjustments, every decision must be carefully managed to ensure compliance with legal obligations while balancing operational requirements and employee rights.
To effectively manage these increasingly complex workplace issues, HR professionals, People & Culture leaders, WHS practitioners, employment lawyers and business leaders must stay abreast of the latest legislative developments, Fair Work Commission decisions, court rulings and best-practice approaches.
The Workplace Mental Health, Ill Employees, Absenteeism & Return-to-Work (RTW) Management Masterclass provides a comprehensive legal and practical guide to managing ill and injured employees with confidence. Led by leading employment law and workplace relations experts, this intensive masterclass will equip delegates with the latest legal updates, practical case studies and proven strategies to minimise organisational risk, strengthen compliance and manage workplace mental health, absenteeism and return-to-work matters lawfully, fairly and effectively.
Learning Objectives
By attending this masterclass, you will gain the knowledge and practical strategies to:
- Understand the latest developments in employment law, WHS legislation and workers’ compensation affecting the management of ill and injured employees.
- Examine recent Fair Work Commission and court decisions, and understand their practical implications for employers.
- Navigate employers’ legal obligations when managing ill, injured, chronically absent and mentally unwell employees.
- Identify and manage psychosocial hazards and psychological injury risks in line with evolving WHS obligations.
- Minimise legal risks associated with discrimination, adverse action, unfair dismissal, privacy breaches and psychological injury claims.
- Conduct lawful investigations into suspected misuse of personal leave (“sickies”) while ensuring procedural fairness and compliance.
- Gather, assess and use employee medical information lawfully, including managing emerging privacy and AI-related challenges.
- Manage performance, reasonable workplace adjustments and medical incapacity issues while maintaining legal compliance.
- Examine the legal considerations before terminating employment on medical grounds.
- Design and implement legally compliant return-to-work and rehabilitation programmes that balance operational needs with employee rights.
- Apply best-practice approaches to managing burnout, work-related stress, and hybrid and remote work arrangements from a legal perspective.
- Strengthen workplace policies and practices to reduce legal exposure while supporting employee wellbeing and organisational compliance.
Who should attend?
Directors, Heads, Specialists and Senior Managers in Human Resources, Employee Relations or Industrial Relations who are responsible for:
- Human Resources
- Workplace/ Employment Relations
- Industrial Relations
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Managing ill employees or absenteeism
- Return-to-Work and Rehabilitation
- People and Culture
- Injury Management
- Learning & Development
- Remuneration, Compensation & Benefits
- In-House Legal Counsel
- Labour & Employment Law
- Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
- Union / Employee Advocacy Groups
Topics Covered
- Legal Risk Map to Manage ill and Injured Employees in today’s HR landscape
- Managing Psychosocial Hazards and Psychological Health at Work
- Recent Cases and Key Court Decisions – Legal Risks Every Employer Should Know
- Managing Personal Leave, Excessive Absenteeism and Attendance Issues
- Practical Guide to Requesting, Managing and Acting on Employee Medical Information
- Managing Burnout, Psychological Fatigue and Workplace Mental Health Risks
- Navigating the Queensland Workers’ Compensation Scheme: Employer Obligations, Worker Entitlements and Common Law Claims
- Managing Complex Employment Law Scenarios Involving Ill and Injured Employees
- Dealing With Suspected “Sickies” and the Investigation Process
