What Does an Employment Lawyer Actually Do in Melbourne?

Employment lawyers aren’t just there for when you’ve been sacked—though yeah, that’s definitely part of it. They handle all the workplace mess that comes up when bosses and employees can’t sort things out themselves. Here’s what employment law in Melbourne actually deals with, minus the confusing legal speak.

Unfair Dismissal Claims

Got fired, and it doesn’t sit right? Maybe they didn’t follow the process, maybe the reason was rubbish, maybe they just wanted you gone. Employment lawyers work out if what happened was actually legal or if your boss has overstepped. There are real protections here, not just what your manager reckons is fair.

Discrimination at Work

Missed out on a role because you’re a woman over 40? Getting harassed about your religion or who you’re dating? Nobody’s going to admit they discriminated against you, which is why proving it’s a nightmare. That’s where lawyers come in—they know what evidence matters.

Reading Contracts Before You Sign

Those employment contracts with restraint clauses and non-compete bits? They can absolutely come back to bite you. What seems fine when you’re excited about a new job can trap you later. Having someone check it over before you sign saves massive headaches down the track.

Redundancy That Doesn’t Add Up

“We’re making your role redundant” sometimes just means “we want you gone but don’t want to say why.” Lawyers check if it’s genuine, if you’ve been paid your entitlements properly, and whether they’ve actually followed the rules instead of just making it up as they go.

Bullying and Harassment

Boss tears strips off you in front of everyone regularly? Colleague won’t stop with the creepy comments? There’s supposed to be protections, but actually getting something done about it is hard. Lawyers help document it all properly and push for real action instead of HR sweeping it away.

Chasing Money You’re Owed

Super payments mysteriously not happening? Holiday pay vanished? Over time you definitely worked. Employers sometimes gamble on staff not noticing or not bothering to chase it. Similar to how a medical defence lawyer in QLD fights for healthcare professionals, employment lawyers go after what you’re actually owed.

Awards and Enterprise Agreements

Your award or enterprise agreement decides your actual entitlements, but understanding that document is like reading another language. Are you even on the right one? Getting paid what you should? Lawyers translate it into something that makes sense.

Workplace problems are stressful enough without adding legal confusion on top. Employment law in Melbourne covers everything from dodgy contracts to full-blown disputes, and having someone who actually knows this stuff can be the difference between getting nowhere and getting what you deserve.