Lander & Rogers partners with Queensland University of Technology to offer workplace law elective

• Collaboratively taught Workplace Law unit offered to QUT undergraduate law students
• Refreshed elective offering comes as Australian employers adjust to new obligations following a raft of sweeping legal reforms

Lander & Rogers has teamed up with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to deliver a refreshed workplace law elective offered by QUT to its undergraduate law students. It is the first time in several years that workplace law has been taught in the undergraduate curriculum.

Commencing in Semester 1 2024, the elective introduces students to the core principles of Australia's industrial relations, workplace relations, discrimination, and safety laws and how they apply in a business setting. Teaching is delivered by QUT Professor of Law, Amanda Kennedy; and members of the Lander & Rogers Brisbane Workplace Relations & Safety team, who helped design the unit.

"The coursework covers pure employment work such as engagement and conditions of employment; industrial relations aspects, including enterprise bargaining and navigating industrial action; workplace safety, and employers' obligations in relation to discrimination and harassment," said Lander & Rogers partner Vince Rogers. "It's designed to give students a modern, practical and strategic overview of the legal and regulatory issues concerning Australian workplaces today."

Students have embraced the opportunity to learn about Australia's employment landscape, with over 300 students enrolling in the unit.

"It's an incredibly interesting time for students to be introduced to key concepts in workplace law," said Lander & Rogers partner Shannon Chapman. "In the last few years Australia has implemented some of the most significant changes to its industrial relations laws in recent history. We've also seen massive shifts in how we address harassment and discrimination, including the introduction of a positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act and a comprehensive review of anti-discrimination legislation in Queensland. Employers are also adjusting to new obligations in relation to modern slavery, whistleblowing, gender equality reporting and migration. These changes touch on many aspects of our daily lives, which make them a fascinating area of study."

Professor Kennedy noted that the new elective reflects QUT's approach of partnering with industry to equip students with real-world skills in their chosen field. "Understanding the laws that govern workplaces is beneficial for students wanting to go into private practice, or take on in-house legal roles," said Professor Kennedy. "We're delighted to be collaborating with Lander & Rogers to share these timely insights with the next generation of lawyers."

Lander & Rogers also partners with QUT's School of Law to deliver legal innovation clinics, 12-week programs in which law students collaborate with Lander & Rogers' lawyers and tech experts to gain hands-on experience with legal technology. Students take part in workshops, gain insights from industry-leading speakers, and develop reporting, client-ready apps and chatbots in response to real-world legal issues.