menu_open Columnists
Paul O'Halloran

Paul O'Halloran

The Age

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

When I worked at a suburban Woolworths I saw outrageous theft. The store managers would tackle thieves to the ground in the car park.

friday 10

WA Today

Paul O'Halloran

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

When I worked at a suburban Woolworths I saw outrageous theft. The store managers would tackle thieves to the ground in the car park.

friday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul O'Halloran

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

When I worked at a suburban Woolworths I saw outrageous theft. The store managers would tackle thieves to the ground in the car park.

friday 10

The Age

Paul O'Halloran

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

Coles sacked a worker for grabbing a shoplifter. As a lawyer, here’s why it was the right call

When I worked at a suburban Woolworths I saw outrageous theft. The store managers would tackle thieves to the ground in the car park.

friday 10

Brisbane Times

Paul O'Halloran

Swans scandal is cultural lesson for business from the CEO down

Cultures change when leaders make decisions that certain conduct is incompatible with membership of the organisation – and back those decisions with...

21.08.2026 40

Financial Review

Paul O’halloran

Victoria’s unworkable WFH laws could go national

The bill’s reach will not stop at the border. For national employers, a Victorian employee’s statutory entitlement will quickly become a reference...

12.08.2026 50

Financial Review

Paul O’halloran

I have 14 upcoming AI slop trials. Genuine deterrents are only answer

Employers are stuck in a system being gamed by tools that produce plausible-sounding nonsense and a legal framework that offers almost no...

05.08.2026 50

Financial Review

Paul O’halloran

Albanese’s ‘shag’ Kylie remark would get him fired in most workplaces

The prime minister’s conduct in a professional setting would very likely constitute sexual harassment and the aggrieved person could demand an...

06.07.2026 60

Financial Review

Paul O'Halloran

Victoria’s work-from-home laws are a farce. They will collapse at the first legal challenge

Despite the alarm generated among business owners, it’s likely these changes will have very little practical impact, and may never take effect at all.

20.06.2026 50

The Age

Paul O'Halloran

Office gossip is now against the law. (But you didn’t hear that from me)

There has been a shift in workplace culture, away from resilience and towards heightened sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. Acts of...

18.11.2025 60

WA Today

Paul O'Halloran

Office gossip is now against the law. (But you didn’t hear that from me)

There has been a shift in workplace culture, away from resilience and towards heightened sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. Acts of...

18.11.2025 70

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul O'Halloran

Office gossip is now against the law. (But you didn’t hear that from me)

There has been a shift in workplace culture, away from resilience and towards heightened sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. Acts of...

18.11.2025 50

The Age

Paul O'Halloran

Office gossip is now against the law. (But you didn’t hear that from me)

There has been a shift in workplace culture, away from resilience and towards heightened sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics. Acts of...

18.11.2025 70

Brisbane Times

Paul O'Halloran

The snooping boss, the exec assistant’s secret OnlyFans business and our right to sneak a break

I’ve seen time theft including employees doing home renovations on the clock and another streaming pornography daily (even during work Zoom calls).  

21.09.2025 60

WA Today

Paul O'Halloran

The snooping boss, the exec assistant’s secret OnlyFans business and our right to sneak a break

I’ve seen time theft including employees doing home renovations on the clock and another streaming pornography daily (even during work Zoom calls).  

21.09.2025 50

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul O'Halloran

The snooping boss, the exec assistant’s secret OnlyFans business and our right to sneak a break

I’ve seen time theft including employees doing home renovations on the clock and another streaming pornography daily (even during work Zoom calls).  

21.09.2025 70

The Age

Paul O'Halloran

The snooping boss, the exec assistant’s secret OnlyFans business and our right to sneak a break

I’ve seen time theft including employees doing home renovations on the clock and another streaming pornography daily (even during work Zoom calls).  

21.09.2025 60

Brisbane Times

Paul O'Halloran

Workers are sacked for homophobia at work. So should AFL players

The Rankine incident highlights the disparity between how such conduct is treated on the football field as opposed to within non-sporting...

22.08.2025 40

Financial Review

Paul O'Halloran