Labour and Employment

Commercial approach to the management of the employment relationship

Business, commercial and legal issues arise in the full lifecycle of the employment relationship – from recruitment right through to termination, and how businesses navigate these issues have a direct impact on an organisation’s reputation.

Our team will guide you through the maze, tailoring solutions that dovetail to your business strategy and your people culture. You will be supported by an integrated team of specialists who will support you across all areas of the employment relationship.

Our Expertise in Labour and Employment
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Testimonials
  • They are outstanding legal practitioners who provide commercial, practical and efficient advice. Their advice is always pragmatic and can be operationalised easily.
    Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2025
  • King & Wood Mallesons' (Mallesons) strength lies in the ease of working with them, their accessibility and responsiveness.
    Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2025
The new workplace: people, law, culture

The latest workplace developments relating to Respect@Work and incoming industrial relations changes, ensuring your workplace evolves with the demands of tomorrow.

This video series explains how your organisation can meet expectations for safe and inclusive workspaces, and how to properly address issues and incidents.

Introduction to addressing workplace sexual harassment

Ruth Rosedale

FWC's stop sexual harassment jurisdiction

Sarah Mitchell & Daniel Delimihalis

Intersection between WHS laws and sexual harassment

Ruth Rosedale & Emily Cossgrove

Sexual harassment and governance issues

Angela Weber & Andrew Gray

Recent developments have elevated sexual harassment as a legal, risk and governance issue. More than ever, there is an expectation that organisations will take a top-down approach to preventing sexual harassment and responding to issues when they arise.

Boards and senior management are increasingly being held responsible for ensuring safety in the workplace and that complaints and allegations are properly investigated, a fair process is used and that there is accountability for any substantiated findings.

Latest Thinking

Featured Insight

Detriment under the whistleblowing regime: what it means and how to minimise risk

Part Three examines the concept of “detriment” under Australia’s corporate whistleblowing regime. Here, we explain the statutory framing of detriment in section 1317ADA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), the courts’ approach to the meaning of detriment, and why an expansive reading is necessary to give practical effect to the regime’s protective purpose.

16 July 2026

Insight

NSW Approved Safety Codes of Practice are now mandatory

From 1 July 2026, in New South Wales it is now mandatory for persons conducting a business or undertaking to comply with Approved Safety Codes of Practice.

14 July 2026

Insight

No ongoing obligations remain under the FWC’s Fuel Cost Recovery Order

The Expert Panel of the Fair Work Commission (the Expert Panel) has confirmed that the road transport contractual chain order – fuel cost recovery (RTCCO) will live on for some time, but without any ongoing obligations imposed on primary and secondary parties.

09 July 2026

Latest News

Deals

KWM advises AtkinsRéalis on its acquisition of ADG Engineers

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has advised AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. (TSX: ATRL) on its acquisition of ADG Capital Pty Ltd, the holding company of ADG Engineers, a leading national engineering and digital consultancy.

02 December 2025

Deals

KWM advises Pepper and its consortium partners on landmark $21.4B RAMS portfolio acquisition

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is proud to have advised Pepper Money Limited (Pepper) and its consortium partners on their agreement to acquire Westpac’s $21.4 billion RAMS home loan portfolio.

11 November 2025

Firm News

KWM expands Employee Relations and Safety practice with team of industry leading specialists

Asia’s top tier international law firm, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), announces the commencement of a team of six lateral partners and one strategic counsel to its national Employee Relations and Safety practice.

16 December 2024

Our Experts in Labour and Employment

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