Employment law covers a broad range of complex legal issues affected by layers of common law and statute across state and federal jurisdictions.

These legal issues begin in business set up or acquisition stage, with transmission of business, recruitment of new employees, establishing suitable contracts, and complying with awards and National Employment Standards – establishing the employment relationship.

These issues then include managing the employment relationship with appropriate policies and procedures to set standards of employee performance and conduct, having appropriate human resource management guides and templates, and having proper processes to ensure against problem behaviour such as bullying and discrimination, to deal with grievance, dispute resolution, managing ill and injured employees, and dealing with disciplinary and poor performance issues. That is not to mention the modern essentials of social media awareness and protecting sensitive business information.

When you find yourself in a work-related dispute in Perth, you want to ensure that you seek advice, services and representation from the most professional and experienced workplace lawyers in the area.

What to Look for

The employment law firm you want should provide responsive, efficient and supportive services and strategic advice based on a proven track record of providing successful outcomes. They should be well regarded in the legal profession, by HR practitioners, and across a variety of other industries.

Like many people today, you will likely begin looking for a workplace lawyer on the internet. Keep in mind that you need to put in some effort to find a quality employment lawyer, rather than clicking on the first one in your area. Read up on law firms and read lawyer bios and blogs.

How long have they been practising? What do they specialise in? How well do they present themselves as an organisation on their website? Have they won any awards or received powerful testimonials? Third party recommendations are generally the best indicator of a good quality employment law firm.

You can ask questions and assess their personality traits. You want someone who is knowledgeable but empathetic and trustworthy.

MDC Legal

MDC Legal is a Perth based employment and workplace law firm. Our lawyers are unique and have acted for a range of clients on "both sides of the fence". We have worked with small and large employers as well as individual senior executives and employees. This diverse client base has given us a broad and holisitc understanding of workplace and employment law issues.

Our employment lawyers have also worked in a variety of settings from boutique practices to national and international law firms and state, federal, and community bodies.

Our services for employers and employees include:

  • Interpreting, negotiating and drafting employment contracts
  • Drafting restraints of trade clauses
  • Performance management and misconduct investigations
  • Terminations, unfair dismissals and adverse action
  • Business restructuring and redundancies
  • Dealing with discrimination and bullying
  • Dispute resolution and advocacy
  • Industrial relations
  • A unique employment law user subscription including a customisable employee handbook and management guide.

MDC Legal also provides pro bono or special fee services to not for profit organisations and vulnerable individuals who can't afford legal expenses and would otherwise have no access to legal services.

Our employment firm has received national recognition for our services, including:

  • Finalist of the Employment Specialist Firm of the Year at the 2015 and 2016 Australian Law Awards
  • Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards for Workplace Relations and Employment Team of the Year in 2015
  • Ranked by the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Editions of Doyle's Law Guide as a leading Employment and Workplace Relations law firm.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.