Employment & Workplace Lawyers located in Parramatta,
Servicing Greater Western Sydney
Our workplace & employment lawyers are experts in work & health safety, discrimination, bullying & harassment, HR strategy & compliance and dismissals. Call us on 9635 7966 or enquire here for assistance. Visit our office in Parramatta
Why Should You Choose Matthews Folbigg?
Experts in Employment Law and Work Health and Safety (WHS)
Our firm has been providing quality legal advice for nearly 60 years. We are one of the largest law firms outside the Sydney CBD and we exist to make a difference for our clients. We take pride in our work and in the role we play in helping our clients to succeed by finding solutions to workplace situations, resolving disputes, minimising risk and identifying opportunities. We offer a full range of employment law services through a large team of experienced and practical lawyers and our clients benefit from FREE legal updates and access to informative webcasts.
The Matthews Folbigg employment law team stand shoulder to shoulder with you in managing your people
Our employment lawyers provide expert workplace law advice with a focus on delivering practical, tailored and time/cost efficient solutions for all of your workplace needs.
Our employment law clients include manufacturers, retailers, professional services firms, not for profit organisations, poultry, food and beverage, IT service firms, real estate, vehicle, construction, insurance, health service providers, educational institutions, local councils and many more – you can be assured that our employment lawyers can assist you across every industry.
Our expert team of employment lawyers work in tandem with HR Managers and those responsible for management of workplace matters.
You have the power to decide
The type of assistance provided is YOUR decision with a range of service delivery options available ranging from a quick chat to a comprehensive employment law advice that always considers both the legal and commercial aspects.
Our Workplace & Employment Law Services include
- Work Health & Safety
- Employment Advice
- Discrimination, Bullying & Harassment
- Workplace Training
- Consulting Services
- HR Systems, Strategy & Compliance
- Representation In All Litigation
- Change Management
Matthews Folbigg employment lawyers let YOU manage our costs by offering a range of costing options for you to choose from including:
- Retainer arrangements
- Fixed fees for defined projects
- The traditional hourly rate
What We Do
Amongst the vast range of employment law services we provide:
Employment Advice – interpreting and advising on often complex State/Territory and Federal legislation, modern awards, enterprise agreements and workplace contracts, the interplay between them, and the rights and obligations arising
Employment Agreements – preparing or updating employment agreements to ensure they remain current with your workplace practices, are compliant with relevant case law, and meet the requirements of applicable State/Territory and Federal legislation, updated modern awards and enterprise agreements
Contractor Agreements – preparing or updating contractor/consultant agreements for use with non-employees, providing advice on the risks of sham contracting and the potential for other claims such as adverse action and unfair contracts
Policies – preparing or updating company policies to address such matters as workplace computer, camera and tracking surveillance, the use of social media in and out of the workplace, bullying, harassment/sexual harassment and discrimination, grievance handling, drug and alcohol testing, and more recently, mandatory Covid-19 vaccines in the workplace
Industrial Instruments – preparing or updating various industrial instruments including enterprise agreements, guarantees of annual earnings (to oust a modern award), and individual flexibility agreements (to modify certain modern award terms)
Confidential Information, Intellectual Property and Restraints – preparing or updating your agreements and deeds to endeavour to protect your valuable business assets and provide disincentives/repercussions for employees who breach same
Disputes – providing representation and advice in respect of claims such as unfair dismissal, adverse action, breach of contract, bullying, harassment/sexual harassment and discrimination, pay and conditions complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman, and disputes with unions
Investigations – assistance with undertaking investigations into workplace allegations and any remedial or disciplinary sanctions arising
Terminations and Redundancies – providing guidance as to the processes to follow, entitlements payable, written documents required, and ways to minimise the risk of claims arising
Performance Management – providing guidance about how to properly engage in performance management of underperforming employees and lessen the risk of bullying and/or workers compensation claims arising
Injured Workers – providing guidance about balancing the protections for injured workers and decisions relating to the performance of duties, work health and safety concerns and cessation of employment
Workplace Health and Safety – providing guidance on work, health and safety matters in the workplace
Work Health & Safety
Our employment lawyers and consultants are experts in providing quality, cost effective advice in relation to work health and safety. We, in conjunction with our consultants, provide expert advice in:
- preparation of WHS manuals
- assistance with risk assessments and consultation arrangements
- assistance with investigations
- guidance in managing inspections by WorkCover or Unions
- representation in prosecutions
Employment Advice
We deliver high level legal advice in both the public and private sectors.
Our employment lawyers have a wide range of skills that can be applied to resolve any legal issues regarding employment.
Starting with an appropriate employment contract based upon current legislation including the Fair Work Act, our employment lawyers are able to provide ongoing advice relating to award-covered and non-award covered employees.
From time-to-time our employment law team will update you on changes to employment law and major decisions from the Fair Work Commission to ensure your knowledge remains current.
Discrimination, Bullying & Harassment
Our employment lawyers provide expertise in fair work practices relating to:
- anti-discrimination, bullying & harassment policies
- grievance procedures
- workplace training and information sessions for employees and managers
- grievance management
- investigations including independent investigations under legal professional privilege
- defending proceedings in relevant jurisdictions including the Fair Work Commission and Federal Courts
Workplace Training
Our employment lawyers and consultants are at the forefront of providing employment law advice to clients, hosting events and delivering in-house training on the latest workplace laws for employees and managers which can be tailored to meet your workplace needs.
Areas of workplace law covered includes:
- workplace health & safety
- discrimination, bullying and harassment
- termination of employment
- employment contracts
- enterprise agreement making and union rights
- change management
Consulting Services
Our employment lawyers appreciate that workplace laws do not operate in a vacuum and they can provide assistance with strategy and solutions by engaging with expert consultants on your behalf or putting you in touch with our preferred providers to assist you with:
1) HR Management
- recruitment & selection
- performance management
- counselling and disciplining employees
- mediation of workplace disputes
- human resource management
- information systems
- implementation of policies and procedures
2) Negotiation of Enterprise Agreements
Working within the confines of Australian workplace law, our employment lawyers can assist you to achieve the best outcome for your enterprise.
3) Workplace Investigations
This includes factual, forensic and surveillance services relating to:
- employee misconduct
- discrimination, bullying & harassment
- fraud/embezzlement
4) WHS Consultants
Workplace law in Australia places onerous responsibilities on directors and officers to ensure a safe workplace for employees and our employment lawyers are at the forefront of assisting directors and officers to meet these high thresholds.
5) Outplacement
There are times when an employment contract must be brought to an end and often outplacement of a departing employee can deliver a smoother transition for all concerned.
6) Injury/Workers Compensation Management Services
Our employment lawyers can provide relevant advice on workers compensation matters and assistance in dealing with injured workers.
HR Systems, Strategy & Compliance
Our employment law team understands the importance of HR systems within a workplace and can offer expert advice based upon current workplace laws including:
- employment contracts
- independent contractor agreements
- confidentiality, intellectual property and restraint deeds
- policies and procedures
- interpretation of workplace laws, employment contracts and industrial instruments
- flexible work arrangements/parental leave
- performance management, counselling and disciplining of employees
- terminations and risk minimisation strategies
- dispute management/resolution
- negotiation and approval of enterprise agreements
Representation In All Litigation
Our employment lawyers can represent your interests in the event of any litigation involving your workplace. This includes:
- unfair/unlawful dismissal and adverse action claims in the Fair Work Commission
- discrimination claims
- workplace health and safety prosecutions
- breach of contract/misrepresentation claims
- Supreme Court/Federal Court litigation relating to restraints and confidentiality breaches
- all other types of claims in the Fair Work Commission
Change Management
Our employment lawyers are aware of the challenges and complexities that can arise during a period of change within a workplace. Our employment lawyers can apply their knowledge to resolve these complexities and deliver a positive outcome including:
- assistance with business restructures and redundancies
- preparing compliance consultation/termination letters and release documents
- liaising with and/or engagement of outplacement providers
- management of employee matters arising out of sale and purchase of business, mergers and acquisitions
- outsourcing/insourcing
- compliance with workplace law and employment contract obligations
- eliminating/reducing the risk of a claim including before the Fair Work Commission
Send our team an enquiry today
If you would like to know more about how we help our clients to succeed and why companies across Australia in many different industries choose to work with us, all you need to do is contact us without obligation and we will explain why we are able to offer the best value legal advice you will ever receive and the tailored assistance we can provide.
Testimonials
“We have been utilising the services of Matthews Folbigg, through Stewart Gough, for a number of years now and have valued their professional service and commercial approach to the challenging legal matters we have been faced with, especially in the Industrial Relations area. Thank you Stewart for the work you do for us.”
Amanda Honan,
Chief Operating Officer, Honan Insurance
“Sandvik Australia‘s relationship with Matthews Folbigg is best described as a mature one. Our most recent dealings have been with the firm’s Workplace Relations division. As is synonymous with Matthews Folbigg, the service provided has been prompt, sound and effective. The lawyers at Matthews Folbigg understand the difficulties employers face with the practical application of employment law in the workplace”
Maria Avery,
Human Resources Operations Manager, Sandvik Australia Pty Ltd
“Dear Stewart, Having now used your Employment Law services for some years, I would like to take this opportunity to say to yourself and Matthews Folbigg, thank you. The work that you have done has been excellent in quality and delivery. Your availability to me as a client has been first rate. The outcomes you have delivered have been excellent. Many thanks David Wilson.”
David Wilson,
Managing Director, Sydney In-Home Child Care Pty Ltd
“People management is one of the most challenging components of a business. Keeping up to date with it has become a specialist area. Outsourcing our HR department to Matthews Follbigg has been one of the best decisions we have made. I can rely on them to get it right.
Brad Race,
Managing Director, Race Dental Laboratories
“It gives me great pleasure to write this testimonial for Stewart Gough and his firm Matthews Folbigg Lawyers.
I rely heavily on Stewart Gough and his staff for my legal services. Our company’s legal needs are diverse, ranging from employment law, contract law, conveyancing and various other commercial matters. Stewart and his team have been extremely professional and reliable. I feel I am always made aware of the options available to me so that I can make informed decisions.
Our business requires our legal matters to be dealt with as soon as practical, in order to not disrupt the flow of business operations. A legal firm that is readily available to take our calls when we ring and work to deadlines is important to us. Stewart has always made himself available and I can say with confidence that the service provided has been excellent.
The most important thing I like about Stewart and his team is that they treat us in a respectful way – I feel like a valued client. I continue to recommend Matthews Folbigg to my friends and colleagues.”
Daniel Zammit,
Managing Director, Scientific Group of Companies
More Workplace & Employment Law Information
- 457 Visa
- Adverse Action Claim
- Adverse Action Claim Dismissed
- Anti-Bullying Order Dismissed
- Breaching the Work Health and Safety Act
- Bully Manager Banned From Workplace
- Bullying and Harassment
- Bullying Appeal Win for Employee
- Company Directors Personally Liable for Breaches of the Fair Work Act
- Consultation – Essential for a ‘Genuine Redundancy’
- Defending Sexual Harassment Claim
- Difference between a volunteer and an employee
- Disciplining Employees
- Discrimination in the Workplace
- Dismissal of Employees Whilst on Leave
- Employee Dismissed For Social Media Post?
- Employee Fined for Failing to Give Notice
- Employer’s Investigations into sexual harassment
- Employers warned to avoid adverse action
- Employment Law – New Employer Liable in Confidential Information Case
- Employment Law – Ambiguous Enterprise Agreement Win
- Employment Law – Contractor Ordered to Return Files
- Employment Law – Dismissal for pornographic emails
- Employment Law – Dismissal of employee for pornographic emails
- Employment Law – Dismissal of Injured Worker Not Discriminatory
- Employment Law – Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Employment Law – Drug Testing
- Employment Law – Ex-Director Restrained by Intellectual Property
- Employment Law – Former Manager Ordered to Hand Over Electronic Files
- Employment Law – Loss of Mutual Trust Causes Resignation
- Employment Law – Medical Certificates
- Employment Law – Out-of-Hours Misconduct Dismissal Too Harsh
- Employment Law – Payroll Company Liable for Client’s Award Breach
- Employment Law – Protecting Company Connections
- Employment Law – Rates for Owner-Drivers
- Employment Law – Recommendations for Employment Entitlements
- Employment Law – Redundancy and Job Swaps
- Employment Law – Unenforceable Restraints
- Employment Law – Workplace Investigation Documents
- Employment Law: Compensation for Unfairly Sacked Truckie
- Fair Work Commission – Employee not Subcontractor
- Fair Work Commission – Employer Restrained
- Fair Work Commission – Stop Bullying Order Rejected
- Fair Work Commission: High Earner Can Pursue an Unfair Dismissal Claim
- Fair Work Commission: Re-Determination of Safety Dismissal
- For Employers: Acting on Allegations of Employee Misconduct
- Gender Segregation And its Impact on Women’s Equality
- Guidelines for employers on floods, fire, cyclones and other emergencies
- HR Manager and Director Liable for Sham Contracting
- Investigation Procedural Deficiencies
- Know What Bullying Is
- Misuse of Confidential Information – Evidence Relied Upon After The Fact
- New Work Health and Safety Laws
- Penalty Rates Decision
- Policies to Protect Employers
- Pregnant Employee Unfairly Dismissed
- Psychiatric & Psychological Injury
- Restraint injunction granted against law firm partners
- Returning to Work After Childbirth
- Secret recording of an employee
- Sexually Harassed at Work
- Unfair Dismissal and Mental Illness
- Unfair Dismissal Eligibility Affected by High Income Threshold
- Workload too Onerous?
- Workplace Bullying
- Workplace Law – Redundancies Not Genuine
- Workplace Law – Record-Keeping Warning
