Joanna Betteridge's Legal Experience and Qualifications

Qualifications Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (major in psychology) - Melbourne University Master of Laws - Melbourne University, completed 2001, focussing on labour relations law Admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor April 1985 Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law (1993 - 2004) Accredited Mediator registered under the Mediation Act 1997 (ACT) (Accreditation by LEADR) AICD Company Directors Course Diploma

Experience

• More than 20 years in private legal practice;

• July 1993 to July 2004 Partner at Maddocks, Lawyers;

• Commenced specialised legal consultancy/legal practice in 2004;

• Director of BBW Mediations, a mediation business jointly conducted with Lisa Bradley, HR Consultant and Gavin Wright, Financial Planner;

• Lecturer for Monash University in its Law Faculty, post graduate level.  Joanna is lecturing in 2011 in the Law of Workforce Management and Occupational Health and Safety Law.  In 2010 Joanna lectured in OHS Law and Discrimination Law and Human Rights at Work.

Memberships

• Advisory Panel for the Monash University Law Faculty Master of Laws coursework program specialising in Workplace and Employment Law

• Board Vice-Chair and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Melbourne Citymission

• Board member of TEAR Australia and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

• Board member and Chair of Audit Committee of Austin Health (2003 - 2011)

• Australian Labour Law Association

• Industrial Relations Society of Victoria (IRSV)

• LEADR – Association of Dispute Resolvers

• Law Institute of Victoria

• Graduate member, Australian Institute of Company Directors

• Committee of Management of Mucopolysaccharide & Related Diseases Society Aust Ltd

Areas Of Legal Expertise

• Employment and independent contractor agreements including advising senior executives;

• Performance management issues;

• Bullying and harassment claims;

• Workplace Investigations and grievance hearings;

• Discrimination and sexual harassment claims;

• Termination of employment 

• Occupational health and safety including advice, training, defence of prosecutions and reviews;

• Workplace injury claims, including managing work related and non work related injury issues in an employment and discrimination context;

• Mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Examples of Relevant Experience

• Drafted tailored OHS and HR policies and protocols, contracts, correspondence, reports;

• Advised companies and organisations on workforce management including engagement, performance management, termination, discrimination and sexual harassment, unfair dismissal and breach of contract claims;

• Conducted workplace investigations and grievance hearings into claims such as bullying and harassment complaints, misconduct and serious misconduct issues;

• Represented companies in unfair dismissal applications, sexual harassment, discrimination claims and OHS prosecutions

• Advised managers about their individual OHS liability;

• Reviewed applicable regulations and codes of practice/compliance codes;

• Conducted training sessions with large or tailored groups including information sessions on legal obligations, compliance and practical workshops;

• Extensive lecturing experience with Monash University;

• Advised companies on managing injured employees and those on WorkCover and premium issues;

• Advised senior executives on contract terms and conditions, negotiations and strategy in pre-employment discussions and in relation to the termination of contracts.

Seminars Delivered on Topics Including:

• Negotiating the Executive Contract

• Personal Criminal Liability for Workplace Safety

• Advice, Guidelines and Enforceable Undertakings

• OHS Changes and Challenges

• Is Working from Home the Way to Go?  The Legal Perspective

• OHS Inspection Issues including the privilege against self incrimination

• Disaster Planning - Your Legal Obligations under the OHS Legislation

• Restraint of Trade and Confidentiality Obligations re Termination of Senior Executives

• Managing the Risk of Smoking in the Workplace

• Employees v Contractors – the Stumbling Blocks

• Cost Effectively Managing Difficult Long Term Claimants

• Guidance Note on the Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work

• Rehabilitation or Termination

• Navigating the WorkCover Maze

• Fitness to Work

• Safety as a Defence to Discrimination

• The competing legal obligations on employers in dealing with injured employees

• Workplace Surveillance.