Cecilia White Email & Phone Number

Parkside

Adelaide, Australia

180 Greenhill Road Parkside

I have strong technical expertise in all matters relating to workplace law, including awards, enterprise agreements, contracts, disciplinary matters, workers compensation, equal opportunity and HR policy development.My focus is to provide advice to clients that is both technically sound and commercially pragmatic, I develop strong partnerships with clients and work with those clients to manage risk and liability, ensure compliance and achieve positive outcomes for their organisation, however large or small. I strongly believe that prevention is better than the cure and that strong policies and contracts, early intervention and excellent communication are critical in ensuring effective people management.Key areas of expertise:Employment and Industrial RelationsAwards, contracts and enterprise bargainingWorkplace investigationsPolicy developmentDisciplinary and performance mattersTraining and educationWorkers compensationEquity and diversity

Key Responsibilities• Led a diverse team of conciliators, trainers, policy and project staff• Responsible for leading the development, coordination and implementation of education programs designed to increase the understanding across business and the community about equal opportunity and ensuring those programs are high quality, innovative and relevant. • Responsible for oversight, supervision and management of the Commission’s conciliation function• Consulted widely with private enterprise, government and community organisations to assist the EOC to deliver relevant and effective information, education, training and awareness raising activities• Managed all staff and resources dedicated to business and community engagement• Provided leadership support to the Commissioner• Managed the Commission’s responses to submissions and Ministerial briefingsKey Achievements• Acted for the Commissioner during periods of leave and following retirement of former Commissioner. Exercised statutory decision making powers.• Represented Commission on Disability Justice Plan Steering Committee• Developed and maintained strategic partnerships across government, community and private sector to enhance the work of the Commission in addressing areas of systemic discrimination• Led the development and implementation of new and innovative training products and services that target the changing needs of a variety of audiences, including the introduction of online equal opportunity training products• Represented the Commissioner on a number of external working groups and spoke at numerous public forums• Led the implementation of a public education strategy following the amendment of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 in 2009• Led the 2012 National Anti Racism Strategy Community Consultations for South Australia• Led the Commission’s strategic and business planning processes and led numerous complex projects to target and address systemic discrimination

Responsibilities• Provision of legal advice and representation in the areas of industrial law, equal opportunity, personal injury, governance, State and Commonwealth workers compensation, occupational health, safety and welfare, public liability and general insurance.• Involved in litigation, advisory and compliance services for a diverse client base • Provided advice on and conducted compliance audits in relation to internal policies and procedures for a range of organisations Key Achievements• Successfully litigated a range of cases in various jurisdictions• Managed complex negotiations resulting in successful resolution of legal disputes• Successfully built and maintained a diverse client base, ranging from manufacturing to local government• Provided pro bono legal advice to a range of not-for-profit community organisations

Bachelor Of Laws (Ll.B.)

Education record