Maria Crabb

Senior Associate

Maria completed a Bachelor of Laws in English and Spanish Law at the University of Kent in Canterbury obtaining a First Class Honours degree.  She was admitted to practice in the UK in September 2006, and in December 2010 in Australia.

Prior to joining she worked in employment law firms both in Sydney and London providing industrial relations advice to employers and employees.

Maria has advised a wide range of clients in various industries, both in Australia and internationally, including airlines, charities, food and retail outlets, including drafting employment contracts, workplace policies and procedures.

In particular, Maria had advised a range of corporate clients and executives with regards to their workplace issues including:

• defending unfair dismissal claims, including representation at conciliations and providing advice on settlement;
• defending adverse action claims, including advice on how to minimise exposure to such claims;
• responding to investigations commenced by the Fair Work Ombudsman;
• advising on all aspects of discrimination claims including bullying and harassment;
• the entitlement to commission and discretionary bonuses;
• providing advice about the validity of restraint of trade clauses;
• assisting employers with their internal grievance and disciplinary procedures, including advice about performance management and termination; and
• advising on redundancy situations, including the payment of entitlements.

Large-scale projects including drafting and implementing a redundancy policy for a leading commercial agent.  This included advice on the consultation procedures required to retrench 15% of their workforce.

Maria has also conducted training and presentations for large food and retail clients with regards to their obligation in relation to grievance and disciplinary procedures. This included providing information on the importance of carrying out adequate investigations to reduce the risk of unfair dismissal and discrimination claims.

In her spare time Maria enjoys discovering new restaurants and travelling.

Maria joined People + Culture Strategies in March 2011.

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Testimonial for Maria Crabb

“Maria is one of the best legal professionals I have had work for me. She is highly detailed, thorough, has humour and is very personable. She is also pragmatic and conscious about costs to her clients. I would recommend her to any HR professional who requires HR legal services.”

Daniella Zucchetto, HR professional