The Arena
The workplace is where so many people spend the bulk of their time. The law regulates this area in different ways. There is the contractual relationship between employer and employee and then there is the responsibility on employers (and employees) to ensure that the workplace is kept safe.
The challenge is to have the good intentions of all parties translated into productive working relationships within the scheme of laws that apply to the workplace.
Should claims or disputes arise from the workplace, all parties benefit from clarity of legal positioning.
Why Civic Legal?
Employment law
Civic Legal knows that this area of law requires not only legal knowledge and experience, but also a certain level of sensitivity. That is the nature of dealing with people in the workplace, whether that be recruiting key staff or managing brewing disagreements.
When we provide our advice and representation in this area, we keep in mind the fact that the key to successful workplace relations is balancing the legal, commercial and human aspects of the situation to satisfactory outcomes.
Anthony Quahe is able to provide advice and representation that is informed by a wealth of cross-cultural awareness and experience as an employer when assisting his clients in this area.
Anthony has advised commercial and local government clients on employment law, appearing in the WA Industrial Relations Tribunal, the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Fair Work Commission. He has acted in unfair dismissal matters as advocate and has also provided strategic guidance to the local government sector in this sphere.
Work health and safety law
Our lawyers’ experience in workers’ compensation law and work health and safety law ties in well with our experience in employment law as these areas can intersect in some cases.
Our team has experience in the normal range of physiological claims but also in the emerging area of stress-related psychological injury claims. Furthermore, the team is strengthened by our capability in industrial diseases claims (asbestos-related), which adds a depth to the team that very few other firms in WA can match.
When it comes to WorkSafe investigations, we are aware of the potential for disruption that such a process can have on an organisation. We have the experience and capability to advise clients about the process, rights and obligations in the context of such investigations. We also have the experience to represent clients should the prosecution result.
The tried and tested experience of our team also gives us the capability to advise on preventative strategies to employers and their insurers, whether that be in government authorities or in commercial enterprises. Those strategies can mean a change in the design of equipment or the operational procedures of an enterprise.
“Civic Legal assisted us in a difficult employment related issue recently that was out of our depth. Anthony Quahe very quickly understood our predicament, sought the finer detail and provided us with a clear and coherent path forward. Most importantly Anthony removed any uncertainty from the process by using everyday language.”
Managing Director, Danish Patisserie
“Walcon Marine Australasia engaged Civic Legal to represent it recently with regard to a matter in the Fair Work Commission. We found the firm to be very friendly and approachable to deal with. When it came to the actual FWC process, Civic Legal worked responsively and seamlessly with us to get our legal position clearly presented. We were pleased with the outcome and that speaks well of Civic Legal. We liked the way Civic Legal showed commitment and professionalism throughout the matter and we would have no hesitation in recommending Civic Legal to other businesses.”
General Manager, Walcon Marine Australasia Pty Ltd
