8 Real Problems Employment Lawyers Tackle Every Week

Think employment law is just about hiring and firing? It’s much more involved than that. Employment lawyers work behind the scenes on issues that affect workplaces every single day. From boardroom negotiations to employee grievances, their work touches every corner of business life.

Here’s a closer look at the kinds of situations employment lawyers regularly step into, and why their role is more essential than most people realise.

Contract Disputes That Get Messy Fast

Contracts are meant to set the rules, but they often end up as battlegrounds. Whether it’s an employee claiming a breach of contract or an employer dealing with someone who hasn’t delivered on their end, these disagreements can spiral quickly.

Employment lawyers Canberra spend a lot of time interpreting the fine print. That includes everything from how notice periods are handled to questions around commissions, confidentiality, or restraint of trade clauses.

What looks like a simple disagreement can lead to litigation, so resolving these issues early and clearly matters more than most businesses think.

Unfair Dismissal Claims

One of the most common reasons people get legal advice about their job is when they’re let go. However, not all terminations are unlawful, and not every complaint is held under scrutiny.

Employment lawyers help determine whether the dismissal was fair, and if not, what the appropriate response is. This might involve helping someone make a formal claim or supporting an employer through the legal steps to show they followed due process.

There’s a balance to strike between protecting people’s rights and recognising the employer’s need to make decisions for the business. That’s where legal support becomes essential.

Handling Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Workplace complaints involving bullying or harassment need a careful hand. These issues are rarely black and white, and they often involve people in positions of power.

Lawyers help ensure any investigation is handled properly. They give advice on what actions should be taken, what policies apply, and whether the employer could be legally responsible if things were ignored or mishandled.

Even when the claims don’t end up in court, the damage to culture, morale, and trust can be significant if things aren’t addressed early.

Managing Redundancies and Restructures

When companies downsize or shift direction, legal support becomes crucial. Redundancies are lawful only if they follow a fair and genuine process. That means more than handing someone a termination letter.

Lawyers are often brought in to guide how redundancies are selected, how staff are consulted, and what entitlements are owed. They also check whether a role is genuinely no longer required or whether the decision could be challenged.

Getting this wrong can lead to claims, costs, and reputational fallout.

Breach of Confidentiality and Post-Employment Issues

Leaving a job doesn’t always mean leaving quietly. Sometimes, ex-employees take sensitive information or attempt to poach clients or colleagues.

When this happens, employment lawyers step in to assess whether post-employment obligations have been breached. This can include reviewing what was in the original contract and how the information has been used.

On the employer side, it’s about protecting the business. On the employee side, it’s making sure they’re not unfairly restricted from earning a living.

Discrimination Complaints in the Workplace

Discrimination can take many forms, and not all of them are obvious. Whether it’s someone overlooked for a promotion or treated differently because of a protected attribute, legal support helps clarify what’s lawful and what’s not.

Lawyers assess the evidence, determine whether the complaint has legal merit, and advise on next steps. They also help employers identify blind spots in their systems and processes before a complaint ever gets made.

The goal is to make workplaces safer and more inclusive, while still respecting the legal boundaries of what’s reasonable.

Employment Issues During Business Sales

When a business changes hands, employees don’t always know what to expect. Will their job still exist? Will they keep the same conditions?

Employment lawyers work through the details of what needs to happen when ownership shifts. They help figure out which contracts carry over, how entitlements are preserved, and what new obligations apply to the buyer.

It’s not just a transaction on paper: it affects real people and livelihoods, and the legal transition needs to reflect that.

Enterprise Agreements and Union Negotiations

For companies that operate under enterprise agreements, getting legal advice isn’t optional. These agreements set the rules on pay, conditions, hours, and more.

Employment lawyers help draft and negotiate these documents, often alongside union representatives. They also interpret what the agreement means in practice and advise on what can or can’t be enforced.

When negotiations stall or disputes arise, having legal backing makes a big difference. It’s about reaching fair terms without creating long-term division.

More Than Just Legal Advice

Each of these scenarios shows that employment law is about more than paperwork. It’s about people. It’s about trust, fairness, and accountability, whether that’s between a worker and their boss or across an entire organisation.

Most of the time, things run smoothly. But when they don’t, these are the kinds of problems that show up fast, escalate quickly, and can’t be handled without the right legal experience.

Employment lawyers are there to protect, guide, and resolve. Not just to fight battles when things fall apart, but to make sure they’re avoided in the first place.