How Citation Legal supports the professional services industry

The professional services industry is a powerhouse in Australia’s economy, with 2024 data showing that it employs over 1.07 million people across nearly 280,000 businesses. With steady growth and a diverse range of roles – from accountants and solicitors to architects and IT professionals – this sector continues to expand. However, with growth comes the challenge of navigating an evolving employment landscape, where compliance, workforce management, and legislative changes can become significant hurdles.

That’s where we step in. Our HR Advice Line, which fields over 40,000 calls annually, has become a trusted resource for businesses in this dynamic sector. Professional services organisations rely on us for guidance, with:

• 19 per cent of their calls focused on employment contracts.
• 10 per cent addressing redundancy.
• 9 per cent covering policies and procedures.
• 7 per cent related to award compliance.

These numbers speak to businesses’ confidence in our ability to tackle their most pressing workforce concerns. By offering clear, expert advice and strategic solutions, we empower professional services businesses to manage their teams effectively, meet legal requirements, and ultimately focus on driving success. Our unwavering support ensures they’re not just keeping up with change but thriving.

Here, we dive into the top five challenges business owners face in the professional services sector and share how our team of employment law experts can support you through them.

What are the most common HR pain points?

Professional services firms in Australia face several HR hurdles due to their unique structure and demands, and our experts answer hundreds of enquiries guiding our clients through them.

1. Navigating the intricacies of employment contracts

From unclear terms, breaches of confidentiality and disputes over non-compete clauses to difficulties understanding complex legal frameworks, there are many potential pain points for employers when it comes to managing employment contracts. Employment contracts are invaluable to all companies, regardless of size, and provide indispensable clarity surrounding the employment relationship. A properly drafted employment contract enables an employer to undertake effective and efficient employment relations processes where required.

2. Managing redundancy and restructuring without mistakes

Redundancies and restructuring are among the toughest decisions leaders face, especially in today’s difficult economic climate, where businesses are facing obstacles such as high inflation, rising staff costs, and supply chain disruptions. Managing these issues requires clear, practical guidance to ensure compliance at every step and effective communication from leadership. That’s where we step in, providing the expert support businesses need to make these critical decisions with confidence and care.

3. Creating and implementing effective, water-tight HR policies and procedures

Well-structured HR policies are essential for ensuring compliance with legal requirements, fostering consistency across teams, and promoting employee satisfaction. So, it’s no surprise that professional services businesses often grapple with unique challenges when it comes to creating and implementing bespoke workplace policies. Whether it’s simplifying intricate employment laws or tackling sector-specific problems, our expertise in creating workplace policies ensures clarity, compliance, and a positive environment where your employees can thrive.

4. Ensuring compliance with modern awards and enterprise agreements

Award compliance is a critical task for businesses in the professional services industry, and managing intricate pay structures, and staying on top of legislative changes, can be overwhelming. The risk of costly compliance errors or reputational damage only adds to the pressure. Our deep understanding of award compliance ensures we can provide you with clear advice when it comes to determining appropriate award classification for your staff, so you can protect your business’s reputation, minimise risks, and streamline your HR operations with confidence.

5. Employer termination

Our HR Advice Line receives an average of five calls per week regarding employer termination, so it’s no surprise that it’s made the list of pressing issues for Australian professional services businesses. The challenges in this area are intricate, from avoiding legal risks and meeting compliance requirements to ensuring fair and consistent processes. Without a thorough approach and expert support, businesses walk a tricky road to ensure the termination process is lawful and fair. Navigating this process without clear guidance leaves your business vulnerable to costly errors and strained relationships.

The complexity of Australian employment law, including award compliance, workplace policies, and legislative changes, can be overwhelming, especially for smaller businesses without dedicated HR teams. With the passing of several significant pieces of legislation, including the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act, Closing Loopholes Act 2023 and 2024, and Respect@Work laws, businesses have a lot to stay ahead of when it comes to workplace compliance.

Our mission is to keep clients well-informed about legislative changes, empowering them to respond confidently and promptly. Partnering with our team of employment law experts ensures access to invaluable guidance and support every step of the way.

From workplace disputes and litigation, enterprise bargaining, legislative compliance, and independent contracting to restructuring and employment contracts and policies, Citation Legal has the full spectrum of workplace law services for businesses.

If any of this information has raised questions about your workplace compliance or you’ve got another matter you need assistance with, please reach out to the Citation Legal team for a confidential discussion today.