Strategic Advice for Employers and Employees
Workplace disputes can quickly escalate, affecting livelihoods, reputations, and team dynamics. Whether you’re an employee who’s been unfairly treated or a business needing to manage a difficult situation lawfully, early legal advice can make all the difference.
At Enterprise Legal, we act for both employers and employees across Australia in a wide range of employment disputes. From unfair dismissal and general protections claims to bullying, pay disputes, and contract breaches, our goal is to resolve matters quickly, strategically and with minimum disruption.
We offer clear advice, a focus on practical outcomes, and fixed or capped fees wherever possible, including for representation in Fair Work proceedings, internal investigations and negotiated settlements.
General Protections Disputes
General protections claims are serious legal matters that can arise when a person alleges adverse action has been taken against them for a prohibited reason, such as exercising a workplace right, making a complaint, or taking leave.
We regularly act in general protections matters involving:
- adverse action claims (e.g. termination, demotion or refusal to promote)
- allegations of discrimination or retaliation
- disputes relating to workplace complaints or grievances
- enforcement of rights under the National Employment Standards or Modern Awards
General protections disputes don’t require an employee to be dismissed, they can arise during employment too. We represent both sides in these matters and can assist with early conciliation through the Fair Work Commission, and, where necessary, Federal Court proceedings.
Unfair Dismissal Claims
If you’ve been terminated and believe it was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, you may be eligible to bring an unfair dismissal claim, but strict timeframes apply.
We assist with:
- determining if an employee is eligible to make a claim
- preparing or responding to unfair dismissal applications
- representing clients in conciliation and hearings before the Fair Work Commission
- negotiating settlements, compensation or reinstatement where appropriate
For employers, we help ensure any dismissal process is legally sound and defend claims confidently. For employees, we assess the strength of your case and advocate for the best outcome.
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Claims
Unlawful workplace conduct, including discrimination and sexual harassment, can lead to serious legal consequences for employers and significant distress for employees. We represent clients on both sides of these sensitive matters, always with discretion and care.
Common scenarios we advise on include:
- discrimination based on age, sex, race, disability, pregnancy, religion or family responsibilities
- failure to accommodate reasonable workplace adjustments
- sexual harassment complaints involving managers, colleagues or clients
- retaliation or victimisation following a complaint
- breaches of state or federal anti-discrimination laws
- responding to complaints lodged with the AHRC or state commissions
We assist with early-stage complaint responses, internal investigations, mediation and formal legal action where needed. We also help businesses establish effective policies and processes to reduce the risk of future claims.
Other Common Employment Disputes
We also regularly act in disputes involving:
- workplace bullying and psychological injury claims
- breach of employment contracts, including restraint of trade clauses
- disputes over unpaid wages, leave, entitlements or bonuses
- contractor vs employee classification issues
- casual conversion disputes
- confidentiality and intellectual property breaches
- issues arising from internal investigations or performance processes
If you’re an employer looking to prevent disputes before they happen, we also offer support through our Employment Documentation and Business Advisory services, helping you create legally sound processes and documents from the ground up.
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Employment Dispute FAQs
Involved in a workplace dispute? Whether you’re an employer or employee, book a consultation with our experienced employment lawyers today and get clarity on your next step.
