News
’Social media and Employment Law’ at annual law conference
24th Aug 2016
The ramifications of employers taking legal action against staff for using social media will be a highlight of the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) annual ACT Conference this week.
Her Honour Judge Margaret Sidis, District Court of NSW (Ret) will also speak at the conference giving her perspective about the future of the ACT Supreme Court.
The conference is being held at ANU Commons, Acton, on Friday 26 August from 8.30am and will examine legal issues ranging from the regulation of doctors and complaints, to the Health Services Commissioner and AHPRA, through to a comprehensive ACT Criminal Law update.
ALA ACT President Richard Faulks said that all media are welcome to attend the ACT State Conference. More than 50 local lawyers and other legal professionals have already registered to attend this event.
Mr Faulks said the conference boasted an exceptional program, headlined by the keynote presentation by Judge Margaret Sidis.
“The ACT Supreme Court has seen some welcome developments, including the recent appointment of a new judge, and the commencement of the building of new court facility,” Mr Faulks said.
“However there is always room for further improvement, and Judge Sidis will draw on her vast legal experience to explore what lies ahead for the ACT Supreme Court, and what changes may be in store for us..”
Mr Faulks said another conference highlight would be Maurice Blackburn associate Alana Heffernan speaking on the topic of ‘Employment Law - Sued in 140 Characters Or Less – Social Media And Employment’.
“The increasing utilisation of social media by employees in all fields has opened up new opportunities and new vulnerabilities in the workplace,” Mr Faulks said.
“The booming popularity of social media has led to a growing number of cases of employers taking legal action against staff for what they deem as inappropriate, or even illegal, use of these channels,” Mr Faulks said.
“Ms Heffernan will examine the legal ramifications of this trend as well as the effects it may have on the future of Australian workplace culture.”
Other conference highlights will include:
- Regulation of Doctors; Ruth Townsend, ANU College of Law
- Pitfalls and Slipups – A Practical Guide To Trip and Fall Cases in The ACT; Steve Whybrow, Blackburn Chambers
- Advances in The Diagnosis and Understanding of Musculoskeletal Injury; James Miller, Physiotherapist, Capital Clinic Physiotherapy
- Developments in Criminal Law; Katrina Musgrove, Blackburn Chambers
The conference is being attended by plaintiff and defendant lawyers as well as representatives of various regulators and insurers.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance is a national, non-profit association that promotes justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.
The full conference program can be found here: http://www.lawyersalliance.com.au/documents/item/656
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