Workplace

Consumer and retail businesses rely on workforces that are often customer-facing, operationally complex and subject to evolving workplace regulation. Whether supporting store networks, digital platforms, logistics operations or franchised models, workforce settings must be carefully structured to support scale, operational efficiency and brand reputation.

Employment strategy in this sector is closely connected to customer experience, brand reputation and operational efficiency. Payroll settings, rostering models, enterprise agreements and contractor arrangements must be structured to support scale while remaining compliant with evolving workplace obligations.

We provide integrated employment, regulatory and dispute resolution advice tailored to the operational realities of consumer-facing businesses.

We advise on:

Wage compliance, award interpretation and payroll audits
Underpayment risk assessments and remediation programs
Enterprise bargaining and industrial negotiations
Union engagement and industrial disputes
Workplace investigations and regulator engagement
WHS and psychosocial risk management
Workforce restructures and transformation programs
Technology-enabled workplace monitoring and surveillance compliance

By combining employment law expertise with regulatory and disputes capability, we help clients build workforce models that are compliant, sustainable and aligned with long-term growth.

Experience

PENDING The Reject Shop

We acted for The Reject Shop Limited (TRS) in a class action proceeding filed in the Federal Court of Australia, Fair Work Division. In addition to allegations of wage underpayments, the claim included allegations related to record keeping relating to overtime worked by those captured by the class definition. The matter has raised complex considerations around the application of relevant Enterprise Agreements within the framework of the Fair Work Act and relevant General Retail Industry Award.

International Beauty Company (L'Oreal)

Advising an international beauty company in an extremely sensitive whistleblowing investigation concerning a pattern of long running systemic bullying by a senior executive; the necessary information was obtained while protecting the identity of the whistleblowers such that findings could be made and the client could confidently act on the advice to terminate employment of the respondent without adverse media publicity or ongoing risks to safe safety and wellbeing.

PENDING Major Retail Client – Fair Work Class Action Defence (Lovisa)

Advising on a significant workforce compliance class action involving alleged underpayments, overtime, break entitlements and record-keeping breaches affecting more than 10,000 employees over six years, while continuing to support the client on broader employment compliance and workforce management issues as proceedings progress.

TK Maxx

Advised TK Maxx on its employment arrangements and post-employment obligations owed by employees.

Major National Food Retailer (Woolworths)

Advised on significant workforce matters, including employee claims and employment risks arising from a major strategic investment in a leading Australian food service supplier. Conducted a comprehensive review of enterprise agreement and award compliance, contractor and casual workforce arrangements, and logistics-related WHS obligations.

Afterpay

Advised Afterpay on the employment implications of its acquisition by Block, covering consultation obligations, workforce consolidation, transfer of business issues, and senior executive terminations.

Aldi

Provided advice to Aldi in relation to communicable diseases and risks in relation to public safety in retail and warehousing facilities including in relation to food safety regulations.