Our Approach
Most people call us at one of the worst moments of their working life. You may have just been dismissed, handed a show cause letter, told your role is gone, or realised you have been underpaid for years. You want to know three things quickly: where you stand, what your options are, and how long you have to act.
That is where we start. Every matter begins with a conversation with a lawyer who does this work every day, for employees and employers across Western Australia. From there we review your documents, tell you plainly what we think, and, if you want us to act, carry the matter through negotiation, the Fair Work Commission or the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC), and the final settlement.
Many employment claims have very short time limits. An unfair dismissal or general protections dismissal claim must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. If you are in the WA state system, an unfair dismissal claim must be referred to the WAIRC within 28 days. Call us early, even if you are not sure you have a claim.
How a Matter Usually Runs
Every matter is different, but most follow the same stages. Each practice area page below explains what happens at each stage for that kind of problem, and what you get from us along the way.
- A first discussion. You tell us what happened. We identify the claims that might be open to you, which system covers you (national or WA state), and the deadline that applies.
- Reviewing your documents. Your contract, letters, payslips, emails and notes. The documents usually decide what is possible.
- Advice on your options. What you could do, what each path involves, the risks, and what you need to do by when.
- Negotiating. Many matters are resolved by a letter from us and a negotiation with the employer, without a claim ever being filed.
- The Commission or the court. Where a claim is needed, we prepare and lodge it, and represent you at conciliation and beyond.
- Settlement and the deed. Most resolutions are recorded in a deed of settlement and release. We draft or review it so it says what was agreed and protects you.
For Employees
- Facing Dismissal: Show Cause Letters, Allegations and Performance Management
- Unfair Dismissal
- General Protections
- Redundancy
- Negotiated Exits and Deeds of Release
- Underpayments and Unpaid Entitlements
- Employment Contract Disputes
- Restraint of Trade
- Discrimination
- Bullying and Sexual Harassment
For Employers
We also act for businesses: advising before a decision is made, and defending claims once they are lodged. See Employers: Advice and Defending Claims.
What Clients Tell Us Matters
- Speed. We tell you the deadline in the first conversation and work to it.
- A straight answer. If we do not think a claim is worth pursuing, we will say so, and explain why.
- Someone in your corner. Dealing with an employer's HR team or lawyers alone is hard. We take on that correspondence so you do not have to.
- Local knowledge. We are a Perth firm. We know the Fair Work Commission, the WAIRC, and the way WA employers and their advisers approach these disputes.
Our lawyers have been recognised as Leading Employment Lawyers in Western Australia in the Doyle's Guide. Meet them on Our People.
Talk to Us
Call us on (08) 9470 2777 or contact us online for a free and confidential initial discussion about your rights. Tell us what has happened and, if you have one, the date your employment ended. We will tell you where you stand and what to do next.