Emma Kirkland, Author at Q Workplace Solutions

Emma Kirkland

With more than 15 years’ experience in employment law, Emma Kirkland is a seasoned workplace investigator, consultant and employment law specialist. Emma has conducted numerous investigations across the public and private sectors, involving complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, retaliation, conflicts of interest, public interest disclosures, and whistleblower complaints. Prior to joining Q Workplace Solutions, she held senior integrity roles in the Queensland Department of Education, where she gained critical knowledge of effective complaint handling, and investigations into alleged misconduct. Emma has used this knowledge and her outstanding communication, engagement and interviewing skills to conduct sensitive and complex school workplace investigations to the highest standards, demonstrating empathy, discretion, and professionalism. Connect with Emma on LinkedIn.

Case review | Enterprise Agreements, workplace investigations and investigation reports

Aurizon Operations Limited v Cameron Webb [2024] FWCFB 318 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Enterprise Agreements often stipulate how investigation and disciplinary processes should be undertaken and what information must be kept confidential. A dispute concerning whether an employee facing potential termination was entitled to a copy of the investigation report was heard by the Full Bench of […]

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The ABC of workplace investigations in schools

How To Conduct An Effective Investigation / By Emma Kirkland

KEY TAKEAWAYS Know: the relevant professional standards applicable mandatory reporting obligations Consider: consent to interview minors the need for support persons or other cultural advisors in interviews the suitability and privacy of interview locations Manage: real and perceived conflicts of interest between witnesses, the complainant and respondent confidentiality by limiting the number of witnesses interviewed

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5 Strategies To Avoid Defamation In Workplace Investigations

How To Conduct An Effective Investigation / By Emma Kirkland

Famously dubbed the ‘defamation capital of the world’1, Australia is renowned for its ubiquitous embrace of defamation law and litigation. Between 2014 and 2018, Australia had twice as many libel claims as the United Kingdom, despite having less than half the UK’s population2. Though rare, workplace investigations are not immune to the risk of defamation

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