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Joanne Leveridge

Joanne Leveridge

She/herSpecial Counsel
About

Joanne is a workplace relations practitioner with over 15 years' of experience assisting clients manage all aspect of the employment relationship, industrial relations issues and workplace health and safety.

Joanne is experienced across a broad range of workplace issues including workplace accidents and fatalities, dispute resolution, legislative and award compliance, managing disciplinary processes, contract preparation, enterprise bargaining and investigations.

Her in-house experience has enabled Joanne to provide practical commercial solutions for clients. She has also had hands on experience implementing advice internally which she regularly shares with clients.

Joanne is often asked to present at seminars and conferences and is a well-regarded speaker on workplace issues.

Areas of FocusEmployment
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of AustraliaBarrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising clients on workplace fatalities, including as a member of the investigation team, liaising with inspectors, unions and other officials, advising on legal professional privilege, legal rights and responsibilities and the powers of various inspectors and preparing investigation reports.
  • Negotiating an enterprise agreement with the workforce directly after the acquisition of a new business, including approval of the agreement with the Fair Work Commission.
  • Resolving industrial relations issues raised by the three maritime unions (including manning, performance issues and interpretation of enterprise agreements) and managing union inspections and right of entry.
  • Conducting workplace investigations into allegations of discrimination, bullying and misconduct against senior members of staff and advising clients on how best to manage these claims.
  • Defending claims for unfair dismissal, adverse action and discrimination before the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Circuit Court, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the WA Equal Opportunity Commission.
  • Leading the development and execution of the Human Resources Industrial Relations Plan for an oil and gas project, including engaging with and coaching leaders to support the management of all human resources and industrial relations matters for the project.
  • Managing the annual performance review process and providing coaching and guidance to leaders to develop the performance of their team including managing poor performance and disciplinary issues.
  • Acting for employers in applying for various orders in the Fair Work Commission to stop unlawful industrial action, ensuring a return to work by employees and opposing applications by various unions for orders for protected action ballots.
Education
  • Murdoch University, Bachelor of Laws, LLB, (Hons), 2004
  • Murdoch University, Bachelor of Commerce (major in Management), 2004

Seminars

  • Joanne has presented various legal and practical seminars on a wide range of employment issues.
  • Joanne has also delivered specific training programs dealing with equal opportunity, bullying and harassment.
  • Joanne has conducted full day workplace training on topics such as:
    • Performance Management, Disciplinary Action and Termination
    • Recruiting and Engaging Staff
    • Managing Ill and Injured Workers
    • Effective Workplace Investigations
    • Managing a Major Safety Incident

Prior Experience

In-house experience:
  • Resolving industrial relations issues raised by the three maritime unions (including manning, performance issues and interpretation of enterprise agreements) and managing union inspections and right of entry.
  • Leading the development and execution of the Human Resources Industrial Relations Plan for an oil and gas project, including engaging with and coaching leaders to support the management of all human resources and industrial relations matters for the project, including managing the annual performance review process and providing coaching and guidance to leaders to develop the performance of their team including managing poor performance and disciplinary issues.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Law Society of Western Australia

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