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Stephen Trew

Managing Partner - Sydney

Areas of Expertise

Workplace Relations & Safety

Contact Stephen

+61 2 8083 0439 stephen.trew@holdingredlich.com Connect

Expertise

Stephen has significant experience in all aspects of workplace relations and safety. He provides a wide range of strategic advice and protects clients' interests in all applicable Courts and Tribunals.

Experience

Stephen's experience includes:

  • advising on all termination of employment issues and procedures, including in respect of senior executives on questions concerning options, bonus entitlements, directorships and shareholdings
  • acting for employers in disputes and dismissal proceedings in Fair Work Commission
  • acting in proceedings to enforce restraint of trade and confidentiality obligations as well as defending bonus and other breach of employment contract claims
  • advising and acting for employers in respect of General Protections proceedings as well as complaints of unlawful termination and unlawful discrimination
  • working with parties prior to and following the sale of businesses to address relevant employment issues, including those that arise where there is a transfer of business
  • providing strategic advice on governance obligations in the workplace and safety content, including for Boards and senior management
  • assisting and acting in investigations and prosecutions involving WorkSafe, Comcare and the Fair Work Ombudsman
  • drafting employment contracts of all types, drafting specialised workplace policies and advising on the implementation of effective standardised engagement and induction processes
  • providing strategic advice and assistance on managing the variety of issues arising throughout the life cycle of employment. 

Stephen Trew has been named for a number of years in various guides. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia guide as a leading lawyer for Labour and Employment Law since 2017. Stephen is also listed in the latest Who’s Who Legal: Australia directory for Labour, Employment & Benefits.

Publications

08 August 2023 - Knowledge

Understanding employment contracts: Employer’s discretion on bonus payments (Part 1)

#Workplace Relations & Safety

In this new series on employment contracts, we highlight standard clauses which regularly end up the subject of dispute, why these disputes arise and how they can be avoided. In this first instalment, we explore standard clauses and an employer’s right to exercise discretion over bonus payments.

25 July 2023 - Knowledge

Employers beware – zero tolerance policy does not automatically warrant dismissal

#Workplace Relations & Safety

Three recent cases highlight important questions employers should consider before terminating an employee for breaching a zero tolerance alcohol and drug policy to avoid potential claims of unfair dismissal.

13 July 2023 - Knowledge

NSW Government Bulletin: The mandatory criteria in unfair dismissal applications

#Government, #Workplace Relations & Safety

A recent case highlights the need to ensure the FWC addresses all the mandatory criteria in its decision-making process and provides relevant lessons for employers to consider when dealing with dismissals.

05 July 2023 - Knowledge

Enforcing restraints of trade: Tips for employers

#Workplace Relations & Safety

In a recent judgment, the Federal Court highlights a number of practical tips for employers to consider when enforcing restraints of trade and key considerations for an employee ‘exit’ process.

27 April 2023 - Knowledge

Consultation commences on further reforms to Fair Work laws

#Workplace Relations & Safety

The Federal Government has opened a fresh round of consultation on proposed reforms addressing discrimination, wage theft, ‘Same Job, Same Pay’ and ‘employee-like’ forms of work.

05 October 2022 - Knowledge

Further Respect@Work changes introduced to parliament

#Workplace Relations & Safety

The federal government has introduced a new bill to parliament to implement a further seven recommendations from the Respect@Work Report, significantly, a positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment.

27 July 2022 - Knowledge

How the implied term of ‘good faith’ can apply in employment contracts

#Workplace Relations & Safety

An employer who directed an employee to tell a lie was in breach of the implied term of good faith, although the breach was insufficient to amount to a repudiation.

23 March 2022 - Knowledge

Spilling the beans: Waiver of privilege for your investigation reports

#Workplace Relations & Safety

A recent Federal Court decision has provided a helpful reminder that a document may start out as being subject to a claim for legal professional privilege, but this can be waived by subsequent conduct and ‘spilling the beans’.

16 February 2022 - Knowledge

NSW Government Bulletin

#Government, #Workplace Relations & Safety

A recent case before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal demonstrates the risks of unlawful age discrimination and the need for an employer to treat each job applicant with respect.

Upcoming Seminars

18 Oct 23 - Canberra

Privacy and the APS

With the recent major data breaches and increased public focus on privacy, ensuring privacy compliance is of great importance for everyone working in the Australian Public Sector (APS). This seminar will provide you with an overview of the reform proposals arising from the Privacy Act Review and their implications for the APS. Join Canberra partner Elizabeth Carroll and associate Lachlan Speak as they explore the proposed reforms with a focus on those affecting the responsibilities of Australian Government entities and APS employees.

Register now

19 Oct 23 - Brisbane

Playing fair: Is the construction industry ready for the new unfair contract terms regime?

The changes to the unfair contract terms regime are fast-approaching. From 9 November 2023, Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022 (Cth) will significantly expand the number of contracts entered into in the building and construction industry that are subject to the regime.

Register now

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