Employment & Workplace Lawyers Sydney | Employer Lawyer
PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS
Workplace issues can be complex, time-sensitive and stressful. When you need clear guidance, you want an employment law firm that understands the law and the realities of modern workplaces.
Vocare Law specialises in supporting employers and employees across Sydney with practical guidance and steady support for workplace issues. Their approach to law is deeply values-based. Their values-based approach means they prioritise fairness, integrity and respect in every interaction, ensuring clients feel understood, supported and guided toward ethical, sustainable outcomes. When problems feel overwhelming, our role is to bring clarity and direction, so you can move forward with confidence.
We marry legal expertise with our genuine care for the people and organisations we serve. Whether you are an employer managing a sensitive matter or an employee trying to understand your rights during a stressful time, you can rely on us to guide you respectfully and honestly.
Common Workplace & Employment Issues in Sydney
We regularly help Sydney clients with:
- Termination disputes
- Industrial relations concerns
- Contractual misunderstandings
- Workplace rights issues
- Discrimination
- Sexual harassment
- Workplace bullying
- Work health and safety issues
- Workplace relations
- Complex relationship concerns between staff
- Labour and workforce management concerns
Our team also provides clear guidance on discrimination law, ensuring both employers and employees understand their rights and obligations. Our experience in New South Wales labour and employment law allows us to correctly handle your straightforward issues as well as long-term complex situations with the upmost care.
Employment Law Services for Sydney Employers
For employers, workplace issues with employees arise unexpectedly. A complaint, performance concern or allegation of misconduct can seriously affect staff, your business operations and the organisational reputation. Our workplace lawyers support Sydney employers with practical advice that helps you act lawfully, reduce risk and protect your organisation.
To help you understand the best course of action, we provide clear guidance that reduces uncertainty and ensures every step you take is lawful and well supported.
When concerns arise, a workplace investigation may be necessary to determine what happened and what should occur next. But investigations are not just fact-finding exercises. They require fairness, discretion and careful planning.
We help employers design and conduct investigations that respect everyone involved. This includes preparing the investigation plan, guiding you through procedural fairness, assisting with interviews and support person arrangements, assessing evidence and preparing clear, fair findings.
A well-run investigation helps maintain trust, reduces risk and ensures the process is transparent and lawful.
Misconduct issues can be unsettling. Allegations may involve behavioural misconduct, breaches of company policy or inappropriate conduct that affects the broader team. Employers often worry about managing communication respectfully while still acting decisively.
We help you assess the nature of the concern, plan next steps and communicate with involved workers in a calm, structured way. You receive clear legal guidance that supports fairness and ensures your decisions comply with your responsibilities.
Performance issues rarely resolve themselves. They need careful communication, realistic expectations and documentation that shows a fair and transparent process.
We support employers by helping them shape performance improvement plans, prepare for discussions, handle capability issues, document conversations and follow best practice processes. When handled well, performance management can lead to improvement, clarity and restored working relationships.
Conflict in the workplace can strain relationships and affect productivity. Complaints may involve bullying, harassment, work health concerns or interpersonal disputes. These situations often feel emotional and complex, especially when senior staff or long-term employees are involved.
We help employers respond calmly and lawfully. This includes reviewing the complaint, planning a response, facilitating conversations where appropriate and advising on Fair Work Act obligations. Our goal is to protect both the organisation and the wellbeing of your people.
Clear documents create strong foundations. Many workplace disputes can be avoided with well-drafted contracts, policies and procedures that leave little room for misunderstanding.
We assist employers with drafting and reviewing employment and executive contracts, contractor arrangements, post-employment restraints, and workplace policies. Our goal is to ensure your documents are easy to understand, up to date and compliant with industrial relations requirements in New South Wales.
We do our best to help employers understand their contractual obligations so they can manage risk with confidence.
Ending employment is never easy. Even when necessary, it must be handled with sensitivity and legal compliance.
We guide employers through each step, from initial planning to consultation, meetings, documentation, entitlements and final decisions. Whether the matter involves redundancy, performance issues or serious misconduct, we help you follow best practice and act with fairness.
Employers may require representation in unfair dismissal claims, general protections matters, harassment applications, bullying disputes or other Fair Work Commission processes.
We provide strategic advice, prepare documents, represent you in conferences and hearings and help you approach the issue with clarity and confidence.
Vocare Law has accredited mediators in-house who support organisations through structured, respectful resolution processes. When conflict arises between employees, teams or managers, mediation can help rebuild trust, improve communication and prevent disputes from escalating into employment litigation.
Our mediators create a safe environment where each person can express their concerns and work toward a practical, forward-focused agreement. This approach helps protect relationships, reduce risks and restore healthy working dynamics.
Employment Law Services for Sydney Employees
Workplace issues can affect your finances, wellbeing and future career. When something goes wrong, it is common to feel unsure about your rights or nervous about speaking up. You do not have to face it alone.
We support employees across Sydney with clear legal guidance, respectful communication and a values-based approach that supports your dignity and wellbeing.
If you believe your dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable, we can help you understand your rights as a former employee and determine whether you have grounds to make a claim. We walk you through eligibility, strict time limits, evidence, negotiation options and Fair Work Commission processes.
Our focus is on helping you reach a fair and timely resolution, so you can move forward.
Your workplace rights matter. If your employer took adverse action against you because you raised a concern, made a complaint or exercised a workplace right, you may have a general protection claim.
We assist employees with identifying breaches, preparing claims, negotiating fair outcomes and understanding the legal process from start to finish.
Bullying, harassment and sexual harassment can seriously affect your health and safety. These issues often take a toll emotionally before any legal process even begins.
We provide a calm, step-by-step process to help you navigate internal complaint options, Fair Work Commission processes, work health considerations, documentation and related matters such as workers’ compensation. You receive clear support during what can be a very difficult time.
Contracts can be filled with terms that affect your rights and responsibilities in ways you may not realise. We review contracts, executive agreements, changes to duties, restraint clauses, pay and entitlements and post-employment obligations. You receive clear explanations so you can make informed decisions.
A redundancy can be lawful or unlawful. The difference affects your entitlements and your rights.
We help you assess whether the redundancy is genuine, whether the consultation was handled properly and whether your employer has respected your rights. If you have concerns about unfair treatment or errors in your final pay, we can guide you through your options.
If you have been offered a settlement or deed, it is important to understand the implications. We review, explain and negotiate agreements so you are protected and supported.
Where appropriate, we assist employees participating in workplace mediation. Our accredited mediators work with you to create a balanced process where everyone is heard and supported. Mediation can often resolve issues faster and with less stress than formal dispute pathways.
How Our Employment Lawyers Work With Sydney Clients
There is a story behind every workplace issue. Our job, as your advocate and lawyer, is to try to understand the story and then, guide you through the legal process with clarity and care to both protect you and ensure a fair outcome.
Clear explanation of your employment law issue
We take time to understand your situation and outline your options.
Strategic advice tailored to your needs
Our approach focuses on risk, fairness and best practice.
Support throughout the process
We help you navigate documentation, communication and meetings.
Respectful, values-based guidance
We support clients with care and integrity in every matter.
Why Clients Choose Our Sydney Employment Law Team
When something goes wrong at work, you want answers and support. You will also likely want someone who listens to all the contextual information too. Our job is to list, then we explain your options in clear, simple terms, so you understand exactly where you stand, and what to do next. We avoid jargon, our job is to provide grounded, clear and practical advice.
Workplace law is complicated and sometimes confronting. Our team regularly assists with complex employment issues, disputes, industrial relations concerns, termination processes and Fair Work Commission matters. We have proven experience to help you navigate whatever issue has arisen, whether it’s straightforward or layered with risk.
In general, we work with employers and well as employees, which means we see the different layers to different cases. That goes in your favour as we understand the competing pressures, rights and responsibilities of all involved to help us navigate a positive path forward. This balance helps us provide advice that’s thoughtful, well-informed, and fair, leading to the best outcome for both parties.
Values shape every aspect of our practice. Respect, fairness and integrity aren’t slogans, they are the standards that guide how we listen to clients, how we advocate, and how we resolve workplace issues. They influence the tone of our conversations, the clarity of our advice and the outcomes we seek. Many people come to Vocare Law because they want an employment law team that understands the human story behind the legal matter.
Understanding Your Rights Under the Fair Work Act
The Fair Work Act 2009 sets out the rights and responsibilities of most Australian workers and employers. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing the National Employment Standards
- Following Modern Award requirements
- Ensuring fair consultation processes
- Managing disputes lawfully
- Respecting workplace rights
Both employers and employees benefit from understanding how the Act affects issues such as employment termination, redundancy, entitlements and performance management.
What to Do if You Receive a Performance Concern
Employees should:
- Request clarity on concerns
- Ask for examples
- Seek a support person for meetings
- Keep records
- Seek legal advice if the process seems unfair
Employers should:
- Provide clear expectations
- Document discussions
- Offer reasonable timeframes
- Follow best practice guidelines
A well-managed process reduces conflict and helps both parties understand what is required.
FAQs
We help clients understand their rights, manage workplace issues, resolve disputes and navigate the Fair Work Commission.
Yes. We advise businesses, organisations, managers, senior executives and workers across Sydney.
Yes. We regularly advise clients dealing with urgent concerns, including investigations, conflict, bullying, termination and industrial disputes.
We have offices offering legal services in Sydney and Brisbane.
Immediately. Many workplace issues have strict deadlines, especially unfair dismissal and general protections claims.
A redundancy is genuine when an employer no longer requires a role due to operational changes, has consulted with the employee and has considered equitable redeployment options. If these steps are not followed, the redundancy may be unlawful, giving the employee access to unfair dismissal or general protections pathways.
Bullying involves repeated unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to health and safety. Harassment, including sexual harassment, occurs when unwanted conduct makes a person feel intimidated, humiliated or unsafe. Understanding these definitions helps both employers and employees know when to take action and what steps may follow.
Advice You Can Trust
We offer customised professional legal services tailored to meet our clients’ needs. Our values are service, care and excellence. Our people are our strength. We nurture them by creating a healthy team environment which encourages them to make positive contributions in delivering our legal services. Our communities are missions focused. We exercise our generosity by making contributions at a local, national and international level.
