Janice is highly regarded in her field and brings a depth to the team at KWS that our clients celebrate. Janice is a dispute resolution specialist, and workplace grievance investigator and deeply experienced in relevant areas of HR. Janice recently left the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and is now a valued member of our team.
Commissioner, Industrial Relations Commission of NSW
2 February 1998 – 31 December 2008
Conciliated thousands of unfair dismissal claims and disputes between unions and employers.
Arbitrated cases including unfair dismissal claims and disputes involving issues such as award allowances and redundancy issues.
Sat as a member of Full Benches to determine salaries and conditions of employment for teachers, psychologists, health care workers, child care workers and many others.
- Heard appeals against decisions of other Commissioners, as a member of various Full Benches.
- Determined costs applications.
- Made, varied, reviewed and rescinded awards .
- Approved enterprise agreements.
Interests and areas of special expertise
- dispute resolution
- local government
- Aboriginal employment
- complaints handling
- utilities industry
- regional and country work
- negotiating
- education
- dealing with difficult people
- workplace strategies
- health
- management issues
- arbitration
- welfare
- bullying/harassment
- mediation
- administration telephone mediation
- facilitation
- senior executive conflict avoidance
Academic qualifications Master of Dispute Resolution (Hons), University of Technology, Sydney
- NSW Bar Association Prize for Dispute Resolution, 1997
- Graduate Certificate in Industrial Relations, Charles Sturt University
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney
- Teaching Certificate, Sydney Teachers College
Previous employment Acting Executive Director, Catholic Commission for Employment Relations
- Promoted from Industrial Officer and Senior Industrial Officer roles
- Developed policy for Church employment
- Advised client members
- Represented the Church before NSW and Australian Industrial Relations Commissions
- Provided professional development seminars to client members
Member, Senior Management Team and Head, Department of Community Welfare, Marrickville Council
- Developed policy at senior management level
- Represented Council at community meetings
- Recruited, placed and provided oversight and development to employees
- Liaised with government agencies and community organisations
- Carried budget responsibility for nine child care facilities and two aged care facilities and other services within the Community Welfare Department, including over 70 staff
Careers Adviser and Teacher, various schools
- Teacher, Years 7 to 12 – Mathematics, Commerce, Business and Office Skills
- Curriculum development
- Work experience placement and oversight
- Co-ordinator of Years 7 and 8 students – pastoral role
- Chair, writing group, policy document on complaints handling for practising mediators. Stage 1 of this document was endorsed by the National Mediation Accreditation Committee Inc
- Chair, writing group, on behalf of the Australian Dispute Resolution Association Inc for a submission to hold the National Mediation Conference in Sydney in 2010.
- Co-wrote submissions to Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Tribunal on behalf of fellow Commissioners, 2008.
Appointments and professional organisations
- Executive, Australian Dispute Resolution Association Inc, 2006-current
- Education Committee, Industrial Relations Commission, 1999-2008
- Council of Australasian Tribunals, NSW Chapter Inc, 2005-current
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW, 1995-current
- NSW Child Protection Council, 1996-1997
Occasional lecturer
- Faculty of Law, University of Technology, Sydney
- Faculty of Building and Construction, University of Technology, Sydney
- Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales
- Diploma of OHS, Sydney Institute of TAFE
Guest speaker
- Australian Dispute Resolution Association Inc seminars
- St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney senior management forums
- Leanna Street Consulting client conferences
- United Services Union delegates forum
- Mid North Coast Group of Councils
- Sydney Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- The Pharmacy Guild
- Service Industry Advisory Group
- Westpac Women in Technology
Accreditation
- Accredited Mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System President, Australian Dispute Resolution Association Inc
- Member, National Mediation Accreditation Committee, a committee of NADRAC
