Workplace Relations
Workplace relations involves managing the often-competing aspirations of individuals within the workplace.
Practice lead: Victoria Comino
We can help with:
At Rigby Cooke, we begin by asking you what outcome you are seeking. We then assess and advise on the feasibility of that outcome. We will discuss the available options that support your business goals and work towards achieving a result that aligns as closely as possible to your desired outcome.
We are able to do this successfully because we take an integrated approach to all the relevant workplace functions and areas. We understand the end-to-end processes that impact workplace relations and possess a broad and deep expertise in these matters.
We also appreciate the emotive and sensitive nature of these issues. Our team brings real-world experience to every engagement, helping us connect with you and your business to support sound decision-making.
Clients trust us to provide accurate advice and responsive service across all aspects of their workplace relations needs — in a cost-effective manner.
Expertise and recognition
The expertise of our Workplace Relations team spans the full spectrum of workplace relations, encompassing a wide range of legal, operational, and interpersonal elements that govern the relationship between employers and employees, as well as health and safety.
Our Workplace Relations practice and individual team members are consistently recognised year-on-year as market leaders in various independent legal industry guides, including Doyle’s Employment Guides and The Best Lawyers in Australia™. In 2025, our Workplace Relations practice was acknowledged in the Leading Employment Law Firms (Employer Representation) – Victoria, 2025.
Employment law
Many aspects of business operations are subject to employment laws, and it is essential for businesses to get the details right to avoid negative impact on their operations.
Rigby Cooke’s Workplace Relations team has extensive experience assisting employers with the wide range of employment-related issues that can arise.
We will also work with you to determine the most appropriate and cost-efficient methods of communication — whether it be by phone, in-person meetings, or email — enabling you to resolve your workplace issues quickly and efficiently.
We can help you with:
- drafting, negotiating, interpreting and advising on individual employment contracts, contractor/consultancy agreements, and enterprise agreements
- drafting, interpreting and advising on company policies and procedures
- terms and conditions, remuneration and benefits issues
- auditing employee/industrial relations practices and procedures aimed at assisting employers to implement appropriate systems for effective workplace outcomes
- terminations, grievance issues and disciplinary processes
- planning, designing, providing HR advice and assisting with work arrangements, organisational change and restructures
- company restructures, mergers/acquisitions and transmission of business issues
- interpreting employment legislation such as the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
- conducting litigation such as unfair dismissal, general protections and breach of contract claims
- legal due diligence in sales/acquisitions and drafting relevant terms and conditions in business sale agreements
Industrial relations
The industrial relations landscape is complex. When an organisation plans to implement major changes or faces an industrial dispute, it’s crucial to have responsive, experienced legal advisers who can advise you through the whole process.
Rigby Cooke’s legal team takes the time to understand your business and develop a deep appreciation of your unique circumstances. This enables us to provide clear, practical and timely advice on your options and risks — along with well-considered recommendations.
We can help you with:
- implementing effective industrial relations strategies for achieving major workplace change, including those arising from restructures, mergers/acquisitions and outsourcing
- advice when industrial action is threatened or occurring
- negotiating with unions regarding industrial disputes, enterprise agreements and restructures/redundancies/terminations
- advising and appearing before industrial tribunals and courts
Enterprise bargaining
Enterprise bargaining is a vital component of business operations in many industries, but entering negotiations on behalf of an organisation can be a daunting task for employers.
Rigby Cooke provides expert support throughout the enterprise bargaining process, helping you achieve your productivity and improvement goals while meeting your obligations to employees.
We work closely with your team to gain a thorough understanding of your business, strategy and unique issues. With experience across all workplace relations — including roles in unions, human resources, and employer associations — our team offers valuable insights from every angle of the negotiation.
We also pride ourselves on delivering responsive service, because we understand that timely advice is critical when you are in the midst of enterprise bargaining.
We can help you with:
- developing enterprise bargaining strategies for employers when negotiating enterprise agreements with employees and/or unions
- interpreting awards and enterprise agreements
- training for your team on the legal and practical elements of enterprise bargaining
Discrimination, harassment and bullying
Issues such as discrimination, harassment and bullying can be highly disruptive to a workplace and must be managed with both sensitivity and effectiveness.
Rigby Cooke offers expert advice when these issues arise. We can also assist with independent investigations and represent you in proceedings related to these matters.
Thanks to our deep industry knowledge and experience, we are also well-positioned to provide strategic guidance that helps you prevent legal issues before they occur.
We can help you with:
- providing workplace training on unlawful discrimination, harassment and bullying
- developing and implementing equal opportunity policies and procedures
- advising on workplace investigations, grievance handling and dispute resolution
- providing strategic advice to assist in minimising legal risks and exposures, increasing productivity, and reducing staff turnover
- advising and appearing before tribunals and courts
Workplace health and safety
The safety of your workers is more than just a compliance requirement — it’s an investment in your business’s productivity. A safe workplace reduces costs related to compliance, absenteeism, and return-to-work processes, while also protecting your brand and reputation.
Rigby Cooke provides advice on workplace health and safety (WH&S), also known as occupational health and safety (OH&S), and can arrange audits to ensure you meet all statutory obligations.
We can also arrange for in-house training for your staff on WHS matters, helping to build a culture of safety and compliance across your organisation.
We can help you with:
- advising on WH&S compliance, risk management, and WH&S audits
- advising and assisting in defending WH&S prosecutions
- advising on statutory obligations under Commonwealth and state WH&S legislation and assisting to manage statutory investigations
- developing WH&S policies and procedures
Training and workshops
Rigby Cooke’s Workplace Relations team empowers your internal teams by delivering in-house training and workshops on a wide range of workplace relations topics — including workplace investigations, workplace health and safety, industrial relations, enterprise bargaining, discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Our team’s diverse experience across large law firms, human resources practices, employer associations, and unions allows us to offer a comprehensive and practical approach to workplace relations challenges.
Each training session covers both legal and practical aspects of the topic, ensuring your people are equipped to apply what they learn in real-world situations.