Employment Relations
Conference

W Hotel, Brisbane

Friday, 21 August 2026

About the Conference

McCullough Robertson’s Employment Relations Conference brings together legal, human resources and other professionals to explore the key issues shaping Queensland’s employment and industrial relations landscape under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

In a year where change continues to accelerate across legislation, case law and workforce expectations, this conference will take a practical look at the issues that matter most to employers. From shifting compliance requirements to balancing worker wellbeing, our focus is on what you need to know to mitigate risk for your organisation and how to act on it.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

“This event is always so good. The content is current & highly relevant. The speakers are well informed, easy to listen to and you can identify actions that can be taken.”

2025 CONFERENCE ATTENDEE

Venue and travel

The conference will be held at W Hotel in the Brisbane CBD.

Address: 87 North Quay, Great Room, Brisbane QLD 4000
Public transport: The hotel is located along the riverfront side, with the closest train station being Central Station or Roma Street Station. Several bus routes also service North Quay and nearby streets.
Taxi / rideshare: Taxi and rideshare drop-off is available directly at the hotel entrance on North Quay, just a 20-minute drive from Brisbane Airport via AirportLink Tunnel.

Parking

On-site valet parking is available for visitors. Limited spaces are available so we recommend arriving early. Additional parking is available in nearby CBD locations, including public car parks on North Quay, Roma Street, and surrounding streets within walking distance of the hotel.

Meet your speakers

Conference Agenda

8.30am

Arrival / Registration

9.00am

Welcome and conference opening

9.10am

IR on the Frontline

A fast-paced update on the IR issues shaping workplace strategy now, from multi-employer bargaining and wage outcomes to working-from-home arrangements, disputes, and the gender-based undervaluation review of awards. We’ll focus on what employers need to know, what risks are emerging and what practical steps HR, legal and IR teams should be considering — with a quick-fire “Simpsons or court decision?” quiz along the way.

9.50am

Unfair dismissal and general protections update

Legal and practical takeaways in dealing with claims – taken from the recent state of play

10.35am

Stretch break

10.40am

Psychosocial safety: when investigations become hazards – risk assessments for complex cases

The Fair Work Commission expects procedural fairness, detailed and precise allegations and solid evidence – that takes time. WHS regulators expect quick and non-disruptive disciplinary and performance processes – it minimises risk to psychological health. So, what do employers do?

11.00am

Morning Tea

11.30am

Strategies for managing ill and injured workers

Demystifying the challenges that arise when employees are unwell or absent due to medical conditions including our suggestions around strategies for medical evidence.

12.10pm

Panel session: Ready or Not: The forces redefining work

Ellen Fanning will moderate a discussion about the future of work involving specialist guest speakers: Dr Cathy See (Gravitas Leadership), Brad Hayes (Federal Secretary IEUA) and Samantha Carlton (GM People Operations, Virgin Australia).

12.50pm

Panel Q&A

1.00pm

Lunch

1.45pm

Generative slop

Employment relations issues are being significantly impacted by AI generated sloppy, long and legalistic content. How do HR practitioners respond when managing performance, resolving grievances and de-escalating chat-bots?

2.25pm

Workshop on letters to employees – with the benefit of hindsight

A practical workshop of examples of decision letters – designed for audience participation and improving drafting skills

2.50pm

Same Issues, Different Desks

An interactive polling session highlighting common issues and challenges, and capturing honest views on what you deal with on a day-to-day basis

3.00pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm

Dealing with highly motivated self-represented individuals

Self-represented individuals can turn a straightforward matter into an expensive, complex dispute. We’ll share the strategies we use to manage claims and cover your obligations to courts/tribunals.

3.55pm

Sleeping giants awakened

Discrimination, sexual harassment and psychosocial safety: how a recent New Zealand case may impact the way officers deal with these issues.

4.10pm

Q&A and Wrap up

4.30pm - 6.00pm

Drinks and canapés

FAQs

When will the program be released?

The full program will be sent directly to all ticket holders via email once it is confirmed, so you’ll have everything you need well in advance to plan your attendance.

What’s included in my ticket?

Your ticket includes access to all sessions, with catering throughout the day (lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks). You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to connect with others, with dedicated time for networking, conversation, and informal discussions.

Can I update ticket details later when I confirm who is attending from my organisation?

If you need to update any of your registration details (such as attendee name, organisation, dietary requirements, or contact information), you can do so directly through Humanitix:

Open your Humanitix confirmation email
Click “Manage my booking”
Follow the prompts to edit your ticket details

If you can’t locate your confirmation email, you can resend it via Humanitix using the email address you registered with.

What is your refund policy?

We understand plans can change. If you need to cancel your ticket, full ticket refunds are available up to 30 days prior to the event. Please note that booking fees charged by Humanitix are non refundable.

To request a refund or manage your booking, please use the “Manage my booking” link in your Humanitix confirmation email.

Will session materials or recordings be shared after the event?

Yes — session materials will be made available to all attendees and sent directly via email following the event.

Can I pay by bank transfer?

Yes, bank transfer payments can be arranged by request. We can issue an invoice for your ticket purchase. Please contact Eilish Dodd using the enquiry details below to organise this.

Will I need my Humanitix ticket on the conference day?

No, you won’t need to present your ticket, simply provide your name at registration. Name badges are printed in advance using the ticket details provided, so please ensure your information is up to date before the conference by managing your booking through Humanitix.

Enquiries

For assistance with bookings, or for any general enquiries on the Employment Relations Conference, please reach out to Natasha Wallis.