Caroline O'Connor

As an experienced lawyer in employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety, Caroline O’Connor is adept at managing the legal, commercial, and reputational risks that accompany investigations into sensitive workplace matters. Prior to joining Q Workplace Solutions in 2024, Caroline spent more than a decade advising large private and not-for-profit companies – primarily in the mining, gas, health and education sectors – on complex and often high-profile workplace matters involving allegations of discrimination, adverse action, unfair dismissal and sexual harassment. Earlier in her career, Caroline was an Associate to a Member of the Fair Work Commission and in-house solicitor at the Fair Work Ombudsman. This broad-ranging experience has seen Caroline successfully act for both employers and employees across a wide range of matters. Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn.

Five golden lessons for workplace investigators: Learnings from recent Commission decisions

Best Practice Templates For Your Next Investigation / By

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Recent decisions by Australia’s national Fair Work Commission (FWC) and state-based Tribunals and Commissions highlight five fundamental practices that investigators need to get right to conduct effective workplace investigations. 1| It goes without saying, procedural fairness is paramount and includes: acting quickly progressing investigations promptly holding separate witness interviews presenting clearly drafted allegations […]

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Road sign saying 'common sense' next exit

Case note: Common sense trumps policy awareness, but procedural fairness trumps them both

How To Conduct An Effective Investigation / By

In the matter of St Marys Rugby League Club Ltd – [2024] FWC 246 (30 January 2024) The findings and observations published in a recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision offer a timely reminder for legal, HR and HSE advisors, and workplace investigators of the importance of procedural fairness and the need for common sense

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