Those who can work from home must continue to do so continues to be the directive of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Ballarat law firm Lacey and Co. The Integrity Group is encouraging all businesses to adopt safer workplace practices as they adjust to the new work order.
The team is collaborating with whistleblower app Whispli to deliver free webinars.
Their aim is to help businesses create a culture of safety within workplaces during a period of dramatic change.
Employers have to be responding appropriately. That has been and continues to be tough.
- Elizabeth Lacey, Lacey and Co principal
Ms Lacey said she wanted all workplaces to be both physically and psychologically safe.
"We want to see CEOs and boards just as aware of and savvy about the human, reputational and fiscal risks of failing to address sexual misconduct, discrimination or bullying as they are about a back injury or the loss of a limb," she said.
The first webinar held on May 28 provided information on employers' legal obligations in respect to employees' mental health and well-being and how to act on concerns.
Future webinars will address concerns on bringing people back into the workplace, continuing flexible working arrangements, why working from home may not be successful for some and actioning concerns raised by employees.
Ms Lacey said it was important for workplaces to set up ethical requirements and systems that ensured employees concerns were listened to and auctioned, whether staff were physically at work or working from home.
"We love the possibility that comes from organisations seeing what it is like to be more flexible and we really look forward to unpacking what makes that work and highlighting some of the reasons why it might not have been as successful as you might have hoped," she said.
"Apart from COVID-19, we will look at what are the factors that will help you ensure you have the basics right so flexibility can be an ongoing thing."
Ms Lacey said it had been difficult for many workplaces to ensure employee well-being and appropriate support while they were working at home, particularly with the risk of family violence.
"Employers have to be responding appropriately. That has been and continues to be tough," she said.
"Mental health related issues that have arisen out of isolation, loneliness, a lack of structure and a lack of routine is another issue. All of those things can trigger increases in mental health issues for employees and employers."
Premier Andrews has indicated working from home directives will be one of the last restrictions to be eased.
Follow Lacey and Co on Facebook to be notified of and join future webinars.
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