EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
An integral part of Sheridan’s practice is advising employers and insurers on their rights and obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the Fair Work regulatory framework. She has in-depth knowledge of all associated employment issues, including:
- Preparing employment contracts, policies and procedures
- Termination of employment issues including advice in relation to redundancy, performance management, workplace investigations
- Defence of unfair dismissal, general protections, and discrimination claims
- Award coverage and underpayment claims
- Right of entry and enterprise bargaining
- Workplace incidents or near miss, advice in respect of work health and safety compliance, assist employers to respond to WorkSafe notices and investigations
- Defence of WorkSafe prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
- Strategic advice in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to legislation and Modern Awards, including stand down, and eligibility for JobKeeper.
Her clients value her practical approach and ability to provide outcome-focused advice that meets commercial and strategic objectives.
After her admission to practice as a solicitor in 2003, Sheridan exclusively practised in the area of personal injuries law (workers’ compensation) for several years in the government representing the Victorian WorkCover Authority and its insurer panel, and self-insurers.
After obtaining her Masters Degree in Employment and Labour Relations Law in 2010, Sheridan’s practice has focussed on the spectrum of employment and labour relations law. In early 2012, Sheridan worked at the Fair Work Commission (then called Fair Work Australia) where she gained valuable insight into the inner workings of Australia’s workplace relations Tribunal, and compliments her technical skills.
Sheridan brings a high level of technical skill to our team, as demonstrated by her accreditation as a Workplace Relations Specialist by the Law Institute of Victoria in 2014. She brings a commercial and pragmatic approach and is not afraid to “think outside of the box” to resolve disputes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Instructing lawyer in a leading costs decision in a Fair Work Commission proceeding (unfair dismissal) delivered by the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission: Church v Eastern Health [2014] FWCFB 810
- Lead instructing lawyer in a leading Federal Court decision concerning interpretation and construction of an industrial instrument: Polan v Goulburn Valley Health [2016] FCA 440
- In 2019, successfully defended a sham contracting and general protections claim before the Federal Circuit Court of Australia: Li v KC Dental Pty Ltd & Ors [2019] FCCA 104 (the Applicant received compensation for inadequate notice of termination of engagement only)
- In 2018/2019, provided strategic advice on a publicised fatality case involving a construction company, successfully arguing the matter could be dealt with in the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court, limiting the employer’s liability exposure to a single charge.