Employment Lawyers Brisbane
Aitken Whyte Lawyers are accomplished employment lawyers that Brisbane businesses and employees can rely on for practical, strategic, and timely legal advice.
Our experienced team provides professional legal services across all areas of employment and industrial law. We help clients resolve workplace disputes, protect their rights, and achieve the best possible outcome.
If you need assistance with employment contracts, unfair dismissal claims, discrimination, redundancy, or representation before the Fair Work Commission, our Brisbane city law firm is here to help.
We’re committed to providing you with reliable, cost-effective advice applicable to your situation. Please contact us today to arrange a consultation.
Do You Need an Employee or Employer Lawyer?
It doesn’t matter if you’re an employer protecting your business or an employee seeking to enforce your employee rights. Our employment law firm represents both sides of employment disputes.
Thanks to our extensive experience in employment law, we provide sensible and strategic advice to all our clients.
For Employers
We assist employers with:
- Employment contracts, executive agreements, and workplace policies
- Managing disciplinary processes, workplace investigations, and employee misconduct
- Advice on redundancy, termination of employment, and employee transfer arrangements
- Representation before the Fair Work Commission, tribunal, or court
- General protections, adverse action, discrimination law, and workplace bullying claims
- Protecting confidential information, restraint of trade clauses, and business interests
- Legal advice aimed at minimising risk and supporting future business growth
For Employees
We help employees with:
- Unfair dismissal claims and unlawful termination
- General protections applications and adverse action matters
- Recovering unpaid wages, leave, superannuation, and other employment entitlements
- Discrimination, workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and other workplace disputes
- Reviewing employment contracts before signing
- Advice about redundancy, workplace obligations, and career transitions
- Employee representation throughout the legal process before the Fair Work Commission and other jurisdictions
What is Employment and Industrial Law?
In Australia, various federal and state legislation govern employment law, and industrial law covers the relationship between employers and employees. This includes:
- Recruitment
- Employment contracts
- Workplace rights
- Dismissal
- Discrimination
- Wages
- Leave
- Redundancy
- Workplace health and safety
- Industrial relations
By receiving professional legal services from an experienced employment law firm, you can stay up-to-date with any amendments made to these laws.
What Our Clients Say
Recent Changes to Employment Law
Employment law is complex. So, both employers and employees should understand legislation centred around the Australian workplace. Our lawyers regularly advise clients on new workplace obligations and how these changes may affect their rights and responsibilities, with particular regard to the following:
Right to Disconnect
Eligible employees now have a workplace right to refuse unreasonable work-related contact outside their ordinary working hours. Both employers and employees should review workplace policies and employment contracts to ensure they comply with the new requirements.
Casual Employment Changes
Recent reforms have changed the rules surrounding casual employment. This includes new pathways for eligible casual employees who are seeking permanent employment. Businesses should review their existing arrangements to remain compliant with current legislation.
Workplace Delegate Rights
Workplace delegate protections strengthen union delegates’ rights to perform their representative functions without unreasonable interference. All workplace policies must honour these obligations.
Wage Theft Criminalisation
Deliberate underpayment of wages and other employee entitlements can now command serious criminal penalties in certain circumstances. Obtaining good legal advice can help employers minimise risk. It can also assist employees to recover unpaid entitlements where appropriate.
Why Choose Aitken Whyte Employment Lawyers
With over 30 years of experience in employment law, Aitken Whyte Lawyers have achieved significant success for our clients. We are trusted by many throughout Brisbane, Brisbane City, and wider Queensland because we offer:
- Extensive experience acting for both employers and employees across a broad range of employment law matters.
- Professional legal services to help with your individual situation.
- Proven representation before the Fair Work Commission, tribunal, and court.
- Practical, commercially focused advice that aims to resolve disputes as early as possible.
When Should You Speak to an Employment Lawyer?
You should consider obtaining legal advice if:
- you are an employer wanting to ensure your business complies with workplace law;
- you need representation before a tribunal, court, or the Fair Work Commission;
- an employee has made allegations of adverse action, discrimination, bullying, or other employment disputes;
- you have been dismissed from your job and believe you may have grounds for unfair dismissal;
- you require advice regarding employment contracts, workplace policies, or restraint of trade obligations;
- you are experiencing workplace bullying, sexual harassment, or discrimination;
- you simply want reliable advice before a workplace issue becomes more complex.
How We Can Help
Our employment lawyers provide a comprehensive range of legal professional services across all areas of industrial and employment law. This includes the following:
Unfair Dismissal
If you believe your employment has ended unfairly, or you are an employer responding to an unfair dismissal application, we will give you the right advice and represent you throughout the process.
Our lawyers regularly assist with unfair dismissal claims before the Fair Work Commission. We represent employers and employees in unfair dismissal proceedings and submit unfair dismissal applications on employees’ behalf.
General Protections and Adverse Action
General protections claims can arise when an employee believes an adverse action has been taken because they exercised a workplace right or engaged in protected activity. These matters are often complex, which is why it is particularly important to talk to our employment lawyers Brisbane team.
We assist with representation for employers and employees in general protections claims made before the Fair Work Commission, a tribunal, or court.
Redundancy
A genuine redundancy must comply with the requirements of employment law. We advise both employers and employees on restructuring and consultation obligations, redundancy payments, redeployment, and the legal risks associated with ending employment.
Workplace Investigations and Misconduct
Workplace investigations should be conducted fairly, confidentially, and, most importantly, in accordance with procedural fairness.
We can assist with managing employee terminations, including summary dismissals, disputes arising from termination of employment, and workplace misconduct investigations.
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Every employee has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.
We represent employees who have experienced workplace bullying and harassment and employers for whom an employee has brought a bullying or harassment complaint.
Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment allegations require careful handling to protect both the individuals and organisations. Our team provides confidential advice, representation, and practical guidance throughout these sensitive matters. This includes disputes relating to sexual harassment in the workplace and representation throughout investigations and legal proceedings.
Discrimination
Australian discrimination law protects workers from unlawful treatment based on protected attributes. If you have experienced discrimination, or your business is responding to a complaint, our lawyers can advise you on your rights, obligations, and available options in relation to:
Employment Contracts and Restraints
Well-prepared employment contracts protect both employers and employees and reduce uncertainty. We draft, review, negotiate, and advise on employment agreements across a wide range of industries.
Recovering Unpaid Wages, Leave and Super
Employees are entitled to receive the wages and benefits they have earned. Should you believe your employment entitlements have not been paid correctly, we can advise you on and assist with the most appropriate course of action. We also assist employers in resolving entitlement disputes before matters escalate.
Consultation and Fees
We believe everyone should have access to quality legal advice, and that it should begin with an honest conversation. From your first contact with our firm, we will take the time to understand your workplace issue. Then we will explain the legal process and outline the options available to you.
During your consultation, we will:
- Talk through the background of your matter.
- Explain the relevant employment law issues affecting your situation.
- Advise you on the strengths and potential challenges of your case.
- Discuss the most practical strategy to achieve your objectives.
- Provide a transparent estimate of likely costs before significant work begins.
Meet Our Lawyers
Robert Aitken
Robert Casalegno
Craig Bartley
Related Articles
Employment Law
From 1 January 2025, intentionally underpaying wages or entitlements has become a criminal offence, carrying significantly increased penalties for both
From 26 August 2024, a ‘right to disconnect’ clause has been added to all awards. This change was introduced by
The Fair Work Commission has recently amended the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act) concerning workplace delegate rights, effective
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to make an unfair dismissal claim?
Your eligibility will depend on several factors, including how long you were employed, the size of your employer’s operation, and whether you are protected by the Fair Work Act. We can quickly assess your circumstances and advise whether an unfair dismissal claim may be appropriate.
Is there a time limit for unfair dismissal claims?
In most cases, an unfair dismissal application must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of your dismissal taking effect. This deadline is strictly enforced, so you should obtain legal advice as soon as possible.
What is the difference between unfair dismissal and a general protections claim?
An unfair dismissal claim focuses on whether your dismissal was harsh, unjust, or unreasonable. A general protections claim usually involves allegations that adverse action was taken because you exercised a workplace right or possessed a protected attribute.
Call Aitken Whyte Lawyers for solutions and results, for expert and experienced advice to represent you at this important time or, if you want to learn more about our services in Queensland. For Brisbane and surrounding areas including Ipswich, Redlands, Logan, Redcliffe and Caboolture call 07 3063 6000 or email us.
Office Location and Contact Details
Brisbane
Aitken Whyte Lawyers Brisbane
2/414 Upper Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Ph: 07 3063 6000
Fax: 07 3211 9311
E: enquiries@awbrisbanelawyers.com.au
