Trauma Informed Approaches to Resolving Workplace Issues

Professional development event for VPS HR & IR Practitioners
The Industrial Relations Society of Victoria (IRSV) invites VPS HR and Industrial Relations practitioners to join an engaging panel discussion exploring trauma informed approaches to resolving workplace issues.

Workplace issues involving misconduct, performance, investigations and complaints can have a lasting impact on everyone involved. As expectations around psychologically safe workplaces continue to evolve, HR and IR professionals are increasingly expected to balance legal obligations, procedural fairness and organisational outcomes with their obligation to manage processes in a psychologically safe and trauma informed way.

This professional development event brings together senior leaders from Industrial Relations Victoria, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO) to discuss how trauma informed approaches can support safer, fairer and more effective workplace resolutions across the Victorian Public Service (VPS).

Whether you work in employee relations, industrial relations, HR, workplace investigations or people leadership, this event will provide practical insights from experts who shape policy, represent employees and advise government employers on complex workplace matters.

Event Details
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Time: 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm (AEST)
Venue: Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ticket Price: $10 (includes networking with canapés and drinks following the discussion)

Panel

Matt O’Connor
Deputy Secretary, Industrial Relations Victoria

Matt O’Connor was appointed Deputy Secretary of Industrial Relations Victoria in April 2015 and has worked within the Victorian Government since 2003.

Matt has led the development of significant workplace legislative reforms across Victoria, including labour hire licensing, long service leave, child employment, wage theft and, more recently, reforms relating to the gig economy.

He has overseen the Victorian Government’s participation in significant Fair Work Commission proceedings, advocating for increases to the National Minimum Wage and modern award rates, the introduction of paid family and domestic violence leave, and minimum wage protections within the horticulture sector. Matt has also represented the Victorian Government during consultations with the Commonwealth on major amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009.

In addition, Matt has played a central role in shaping the Victorian Government’s public sector industrial relations strategy, including the development of enduring flexible working arrangements and the ongoing review of the Victorian Public Sector Wages Policy.

Jiselle Hanna
Victorian Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)

Jiselle Hanna is the Victorian Branch Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and has been a passionate trade unionist for more than 25 years.

She has worked with Corrections Victoria over the past decade and has extensive experience advocating for workers across the Victorian Public Sector. Earlier in her career, Jiselle worked in the community legal sector with a focus on poverty law, providing legal assistance and advocacy for vulnerable members of the community.

Jiselle brings a unique employee and union perspective to workplace relations, with a strong commitment to fairness, dignity and respectful workplaces.

Laura Myer
Managing Principal Solicitor, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office

Laura Myer specialises in employment law and industrial relations, with particular expertise in complex and high-profile workplace litigation.

Before joining the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Laura worked in leading international commercial law firms across employment, industrial relations, competition and consumer law, intellectual property and regulatory litigation. She has advised and represented both major corporate organisations and Victorian Government clients.

Laura has appeared in the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Court and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. She previously worked as an Associate to the Fair Work Commission and as a Freedom of Information Officer at the Department of Justice. Laura also maintains a strong commitment to pro bono work through Justice Connect and the Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court Self Representation Service.

Dana Wintermantel
Lead Counsel, Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office

Dana Wintermantel is Lead Counsel at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and has more than 20 years’ experience advising employers on workplace relations and employment law.

Dana provides strategic advice across a broad range of employment matters, including enterprise agreement interpretation, Fair Work Act compliance, performance management, misconduct, workplace investigations, industrial disputes and termination of employment.

She has extensive experience representing clients in unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination and disability discrimination matters before the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Dana’s experience spans both private practice and government, including roles with the Department of Education and Training before joining the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.

Why Attend?
This event is designed specifically for VPS HR and Industrial Relations practitioners seeking practical insights into one of the most important and evolving areas of workplace relations.

You’ll hear perspectives from:

• Government policy and industrial relations leadership
• The union movement
• Government employment law specialists