DP O’Keefe Macquarie Law is a legal office in Dubbo NSW Australia.
Dan O’Keefe is an experienced solicitor, accredited business law specialist, mediator and notary public.
Providing practical, cost-effective & confidential advice.
Come to us for a high level of service in a friendly & personal manner.
Law full news items
We are open & propose to remain open & available as much as possible
Some of the legal services we provide are essential. For instance, sales and purchases still need to go ahead.
We will adopt recommended health protocols. Please telephone or email us first if you have any concerns.
Working from home? What about some guidelines?
Email policies are likely to already be in place however just a few things to think about when developing a working-from-home policy, include:-
- The security of client files & business documents. If paper documents, how will they be transported and stored at home?
- The use of screen locking, logins & passwords. For instance, should logins & passwords be saved on the home computer?
- Maintainence of privacy & confidentiality. How will loud conversations be kept private? Will documents be printed out at home and how will documents at home be thrown out?
- Work safety must still be kept in mind. Be aware of ergonomics in the home office and wellbeing while working at home. For instance, how to debrief after a stressful telephone work call at home?
- Video conferencing policies. Online there are many examples of guidelines for video conferencing, particularly, from universities and other organisations that have been using it for many years. Many guidelines recommend good practices as well as good etiquette. Some internet video providers can record the conference. Has this been agreed to by the participants?
- Insurance coverage for personnel and business property taken home.
This is all the more complicated by most homes not having facilities for mum , dad and students all working from home.
Landlords & tenants - Now is the time to start talking
With the closure of many shop fronts, how will the tenants pay their rent and the landlords meet their mortgage payments? Is it better for tenants to get out of the lease now? Is it better to have a tenant in occupation ready to reopen rather than vacant premises that have to be relet?
Rent can be varied by agreement but most leases do not allow rent to abate unless the premises are destroyed. Leases for a fixed term usually cannot be ended early without penalty. Sometimes a party can be excused from a contractual obligation because of frustration but this is a complicated legal principle and difficult to establish.
Corona virus/Covid-19 health protocols
We space out our appointments and do not have large numbers of people gathering in our office. Be assured that we have always maintained healthy cough, sneeze and hand hygiene practices.
If you are concerned about going out or coming into our office you may of course telephone or email us. We can also use Facetime or Skype video if you would prefer.
We will continue to support local businesses as much as possible in what will be difficult times ahead for many businesses.
(See WHO Healthy hand washing diagram)
(ABC Radio health news & Coronavirus updates ABC News)
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