This practical webinar provides employers with a clear roadmap for navigating the complex legal landscape of workplace discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment. Across expert-led sessions, participants will gain insights into key legislative frameworks, recent court decisions shaping 2026, and best-practice strategies for early intervention, complaint management, and organisational risk mitigation. You will leave equipped with actionable knowledge to prevent and respond to workplace misconduct, minimise risk and foster a safer, more compliant work environment

Presenters

Andrew Wilson, Barrister, State Chambers
Andrew maintains a broad practice that focuses on the principal areas of commercial law, employment law, and criminal and regulatory law. Andrew brings with him over 25 years’ experience across law, government and industrial relations. He was called to the Bar in 2020 after having been admitted as a solicitor in 2007, and having worked in industrial relations since 1997. As a solicitor he worked in both private and government practice, and as an advisor to the Attorney General of New South Wales. Andrew’s commercial practice spans disputes relating to general commercial matters, building and construction, consumer law, technology, commercial equity, and corporations law and insolvency. His employment practice includes both the individual and collective aspects of employment law, as well as work health and safety. Andrew’s criminal and regulatory practice extends to advising and appearing in matters relating to general crime, professional discipline, firearms and occupational licencing, working with children matters, and heavy vehicle prosecutions. Since being called to the Bar, Andrew has appeared in a wide range of matters on behalf of ASX-listed companies, small and medium sized enterprises, individuals, insolvency practitioners, not-for-profit entities and trade unions. He primarily appears in the Supreme, District and Local Courts of New South Wales, Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Fair Work Commission and the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). His experience also extends to appearing led in matters in the New South Wales Court of Appeal and the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal. Andrew is valued for his technical proficiency and highly developed interpersonal skills. He holds a Master of Laws, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Commerce. Andrew is a member of various professional associations. In addition to his litigation and advisory practice, he acts as a Mediator in commercial and employment disputes.

Elizabeth Aitken, Partner, National Head of Workplace Relations & Safety, SLF Lawyers
Liz is experienced in commercial, employment, IR and workplace safety law. She handles the full range of employment-related claims, including unfair dismissal, adverse action, discrimination, workplace bullying, sexual harassment and underpayment, and advises on all workforce management issues including management of sick, injured and underperforming workers, workplace investigations, the application of industrial instruments such as modern awards and enterprise agreements, transfers of business, restraints of trade, work health and safety, workers compensation and sham contracting. She routinely prepares contracts to regulate employment, independent contracting and other labour arrangements. Liz is active in industrial relations and industry groups, including as an Executive Committee Member of the Law Institute of Victoria's Workplace Relations Section since 2013. She regularly facilitates staff training workshops and presents at professional conferences. In November 2015, Liz was named 'Young Gun of the Year' at the Australian Women in Law Awards in recognition of her professional achievements. In 2018, she became the youngest person promoted to partnership within Australian firms participating in the Australian Financial Review annual legal partnership survey.

Chris McArdle, Principal, McArdle Legal
Chris McArdle is one of approximately forty lawyers in New South Wales accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in Employment and Industrial Law. Chris has been in legal practice since 1988 and prior to that, served as a Commissioner of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales. Chris acts for corporate and individual clients with a philosophy of preventing problems and increasing corporate efficiency. Chris has achieved a number of breakthroughs in the anti-discrimination, employment contracts and Registration of Agreements Jurisdictions. Chris is a regular presenter of seminar papers and has published several articles in both mainstream press and specialist journals.

Storm Carnie, Practice Leader – Integrity and Compliance, Worklogic
Storm has built a solid reputation specialising in Workplace Investigations across many different businesses and industries. With her background in human resources, Storm understands the challenges that are often faced by our clients when allegations of misconduct, workplace conflict, or organisational culture misalignments arise. When facilitating the resolution of conflict and enquiring into perceptions of culture, her priority is to ensure all parties have the opportunity to participate fully and feel heard in order to achieve the best outcomes.