The NSW Industrial Relations Commission’s new bullying, harassment and victimisation jurisdiction – legal and other challenges in the era of Ai slop claims

IN PERSON / LIVESTREAM

There have been significant changes to the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW) in the last 12 months - including significant changes to the victimisation provisions from 3 July 2025; new bullying and harassment provisions from 13 October 2025 and most recently from 1 July 2026, new ‘relevant conduct’ provisions for workers compensation claims involving primary psychological injuries alleged to be caused by bullying, excessive work demands, sexual harassment, or racial harassment. 

Employers now face new legal compliance obligations and practical challenges to prove substantial and operative reasons for management decisions; reasonable management action carried out in a reasonable way; and all reasonable steps taken to prevent employee’s or agent from doing unlawful acts. 

These practical challenges will be compounded by employees being spurred on by the lure of new monetary compensatory and other forms of relief; or being tempted by the ‘sycophantic tendencies’ of generative Ai to ‘prioritise user approval over truth’ and weaponise the provisions against unsuspecting employers.

 

Presenters

• Darren Gardner - Head of Workplace Law & Culture

• Giuliana Quibell - Associate, Workplace Law & Culture

 

Details

Thursday 6 August 2026

On-line or at Bartier Perry - Level 25, 161 Castlereagh Street Sydney

8.15am: Registration & light breakfast (in‑person attendees)

8.30am: Presentation commences (with livestream)

9.30am: Livestream concludes

 

RSVP

By 30 July. Book here