Avoid Litigation - review performance management processes now!
With the new IR legislation cemented in stone, there has never been a more prevalent time for employers to review their performance management process to ensure protection from litigation.
With the new unfair dismissal laws that came into effect on the 1st July, employers should analyse their current system to identify any areas that may be affected by the new legislation. Many businesses have been exempt from unfair dismissal legislation for a number of years now and are likely to have out of date systems that will leave them exposed to potential legal issues.
Businesses are advised to have documentation in place for recruitment, inductions, probationary periods, performance appraisal and disciplinary procedures. The key is to ensure that performance expectations are communicated to the employees and the criteria by which they are to be measured is clearly documented and fair.
Once the expectations are clear, employers must ensure that they manage the process effectively and address poor performance through mentoring and developing their staff. If this fails to result in improvement, an employer is advised to follow a stage by stage disciplinary process to comply with The Code under the new unfair dismissal legislation.
For more information on how tHReshold can assist in updating your current performance management system call 0418 144012 or email dsmith@thresholdhr.com.au