As Australia emerges from the pandemic, many businesses are navigating the transition of their employees back to the office. One of the central themes in this shift is the growing demand for flexibility in how, where, and when work is performed. The Australian workforce, like much of the world, grew accustomed during the pandemic to […]
Expert Warns Ignorance Can Lead to Hefty Fines Unprepared employers can face big fines for non-compliance with new ‘Right to Disconnect’ laws that apply from Monday, August 26, according to one of Australia’s leading employment experts. Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Employee Matters, warns that every business in the nation with 15 or more staff […]
Crucial Employee Management Tips For Small Businesses On a recent episode of Small Business Banter, Natasha Hawker and Michael Kerr discuss pivotal strategies for small business owners aiming to optimise employee management and drive growth. This insightful conversation delves into the transformative impact of exceptional HR practices, navigating today’s employment landscape, and essential considerations when […]
How Aussie teens are stepping up and entering the workforce to help contribute to the household, as cost-of-living pressures mount Consequences In a recent interview on Channel 7 Sunrise Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Employee Matters, discussed teenagers entering the workforce to support spiralling family budgets. The cost of living crisis is not going anywhere […]
By David Brown, General Manager Outsourcing some or all of your HR functions makes sense for any growing organisations, and often can make sense for smaller businesses too. What outsourcing looks like, when you should consider it and how you choose the best service for your needs are the kinds of questions that ‘persuade’ many […]
As many of you will have seen in the media earlier in the year, the ‘Right to Disconnect’ was a hot topic. Doing a deal with the Greens and Crossbench, the Labor government introduced this new right into the second part of their Closing Loopholes industrial relations legislation which was passed in February. Yes, this […]
Fair Work have announced a 3.75% Minimum Wage Increase – Here is all you need to know. As usual at this time of year, the Fair Work Commission has made its ruling on increases to the minimum wage and all other Award pay rates. The increase applies to anyone who is paid minimum award wages […]
Newcastle GP says unnecessary appointments for medical certificates are wasting doctors’ time. Natasha Hawker was interviewed on ABC Radio Newcastle to discuss a recent topic where a Newcastle GP, Dr. Max Mollenkopf, advocates for employers to stop requiring medical certificates for employees to take time off work. Dr. Mollenkopf argues that these requirements take valuable […]
In the face of current economic challenges, it’s critical that business owners and people leaders invest in their employees and their people management. Watch this online session to learn how taking an employee-centred approach to your budget is vital to surviving & thriving in FY25, including: How to restructure – not fracture – your business […]
Why have Human Resources Policies? How many times have you heard (or said), ‘we need less red tape’, ‘it’s bureaucracy gone mad’ or some similar phrase to capture just how rule bound we are in business or in society as a whole? There is no doubt that at times, we all feel the frustration of […]
Legal Consequences Unveiled: Employer’s Contact with Sick Leave Employee Leads to Compensation Order In a recent interview on Sunrise Channel 7, Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Employee Matters, delved into the implications of a compensation order issued to an Australian employer. This employer was directed to pay 10 months’ backpay and ongoing workers’ compensation to […]
Where does Australia rank in terms of Paid Parental Leave? It is fair to say that when it comes to Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Australia was late to the party. Before the first scheme was introduced in 2011, Australia was one of only 2 OECD countries who did not have such a scheme. Even now, […]
Employees in Australia could soon double their annual leave at half pay under new ACTU proposal Employee Matters’ Managing Director, Natasha Hawker, is back on Sunrise, the Channel 7 Breakfast show, to discuss a new initiative regarding annual leave entitlements. A proposal by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) could allow many Australian workers […]
Natasha Hawker, Founder and Managing Director of Employee Matters, was recently quoted in a Yahoo Finance article by Lollie Barr titled ‘Entitled’ young Aussies ditch one major Boomer rule – and I like it. Hawker discusses the significant shift in leadership traits among Gen Z, emphasising their advocacy for flexibility, empathy, and a focus on […]
By David Brown, General Manager Gone are the days when Human Resources (HR) was seen as the soft, fluffy administrative area designed specifically to carry out each and every manager’s wishes. As business has become more complex, the workforce more diverse and demanding and the regulatory environment more complex, human resources has been recognised as […]
In a recent episode of Small Biz Matters, Natasha Hawker discussed the impact of Australia’s new Industrial Relations (IR) landscape on small businesses. Challenges Faced by Small Businesses Small businesses are struggling with the new legislation changes, often unaware or prioritising survival over compliance. Natasha stresses the need for proactive steps despite the challenges. Key […]
Over the past four years, the work landscape has undergone a transformative journey, reshaping how we approach our professional lives. As the world adapts to new norms, some business owners are signaling a return to full-time office work, challenging the prevailing momentum favoring hybrid setups. This shift coincides with Australia’s recent enactment of the Right […]
In this article, we’re delving into a topic that might make some business leaders break into a cold sweat – employee terminations. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This is your go-to guide for understanding the ins and outs of employee exits. Grab a comfy seat, and let’s jump right in! The Basics Terminations […]
Performance counselling is a valuable tool used to ensure that employees perform work in a manner consistent their job description and the organisation’s values, which in turn helps boost productivity and the smooth running of the organisation. Performance counselling, also referred to as employee performance management, is often used to address issues such as the […]
Introduced to Parliament in March 2023, the Fair Work Amendment ‘Right to Disconnect’ Bill 2023 aims to prevent employers from contacting employees outside of their designated working hours. This legislation would relieve employees from the obligation to read or respond to work-related communications beyond their work hours. In a brief interview on Sunrise, Natasha Hawker […]
Natasha Hawker was a guest on Channel 7’s Sunrise programme today to discuss annual leave. Currently the norm and indeed minimum requirement for full time employees is four weeks of Annual Leave. Some large corporates such as IKEA and Bunnings are moving to provide five weeks. What are the pros and cons and what negative […]
The impact of COVID-19 extended the concept of workplaces, with government restrictions during lockdown mandating working from home. This has paved the way for new forms of working, and the rising prevalence of hybrid workplace models has changed how employers manage their employees. One example of how employers have adapted to hybrid and remote work […]
In any thriving organisation, maintaining high standards of conduct and behaviour is crucial for maintaining order, fostering employee growth, and safeguarding the interests of the organisation. A well-crafted Code of Conduct and a clear Misconduct and Disciplinary Action policy not only sets clear expectations but also ensures fairness and consistency in addressing issues related to […]
As organisations grow, change, and face new challenges, there will be instances where someone’s role is no longer needed. If the person in this role cannot be moved elsewhere in the business, it may be time to let them go at which time a business case for redundancy is required. This article provides employers who […]
This webinar, hosted by Employee Matters founder Natasha Hawker, addresses the ER Legislation Changes rolled out across Australia in 2022, 2023 and throughout 2024. The changes affect all businesses and are mandatory to implement. Topics covered in the webinar include: Respect@Work Bargaining Orders Family and Domestic Violence Leave Discrimination Pay Secrecy Flexible Work Enterprise Bargaining […]
Wage underpayments are a pressing concern for both employees and employers. Not only can they lead to legal consequences, but they also undermine trust and morale within a team. To help you navigate this complex issue, Natasha Hawker, recently joined Craig Zonca and Loretta Ryan on ABC Radio’s Brisbane Breakfast to discuss a crucial topic: […]
New legislation means Australian companies can no longer include pay secrecy clauses in their employment contracts. A ban on pay secrecy clauses means that employees are free to discuss their salaries with others if they choose to, marking a pivotal stride towards greater transparency. In light of this legislative change, what do HR professionals need […]
Payroll is evolving into a powerful tool for boosting your organisation’s Employee Experience (EX) and Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Rather than being laborious and risk-prone, your payroll processes & systems could instead be boosting employee attraction, engagement and retention. In this webinar, Joel Smith (Affinity Payroll) and Natasha Hawker (Employee Matters) share insights and practical […]
Are you aware of the updates to the Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave entitlements? We’re here to guide you through it all! Given the range and complexity of some of these changes, expert advice and guidance may be required. Use this link to book a free session with us to discuss how Employee Matters […]
A new trend is emerging in the wake of the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting and other workplace movements. It promises to relieve stress, reduce employee burnout and still deliver quality work. Known as Bare Minimum Monday, the trend’s creator Marisa Jo Mayes explained in a TikTok video that after spending Sundays mapping out her week […]
From 6 March, 2023, the The Fair Work Act will prohibit sexual harassment in connection with work, which includes the workplace. You might be thinking:, “isn’t this already prohibited? It is in our business …” and so maybe nothing much has to change? The changes in Fair Work and the implementation of all fifty five […]
Listen to Natasha Hawker’s answer as Bec & Soda of SA FM Adelaide ask: Is it right or wrong to lie on your CV or resume?
In this post-COVID era, latest statistics suggest that two in five Australians aged 16-85 years (43.7% or 8.6 million people) had experienced symptoms of a mental disorder at some time in their life and one in five Australian adults experience a mental illness every year. This could be anxiety, depression, substance abuse, anorexia and in […]
The mentality of working with an employer for 30 plus years and receiving a gold watch upon retirement are long gone. It is safe to say that most Generation Z and Millennials would be foreign to this mentality. According to October 2021 data from career site CareerBuilder, Gen Z workers spend an average of two […]
With a talent shortage looming around the world, and potential hires becoming more demanding about what they expect from a future employer, the pressure is on HR to not only attract the right people through enticing job advertising, but to also ensure the interview process is as thorough as possible. For complete HRD article, please […]
An end-of-year party is the perfect way to celebrate success and reward your staff. Natasha Hawker, managing director of HR consultancy Employee Matters, points out it may also be a rare opportunity for your team to interact in person. “Work these days is more flexible and remote and there can be long periods of time […]
New rules relating to paying casual employees overtime have come into effect from 20 November 2020. If you have a casual employee covered by a Modern Award, please read on. Free download pdf user manual for stamina aeropilates xp615 home gym winstrol oral stanozolol 50 50mg 100 pills mister olympia 2016 results complete musculation […]
Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Employee Matters, joins Craig West to share her views on the future of work post-COVID-19, why she thinks Jobkeeper is a ‘game-changing’ opportunity that many businesses are missing out on, and how business owners can take advantage of the current ‘downtime’ to improve their business systems, efficiencies and value. Natasha […]
As we contemplate the employment landscape and the seismic shifts that have occurred over the past months, it is somewhat sobering to review the headlines and consider what this means beyond the labour market turbulence of the past weeks, as the dust begins to settle. With news of massive job losses, widespread stand downs and […]
COVID 19 RESPONSE In response to the COVID-19 crisis and to assist with the implementation of the #JobKeeper scheme, the Australian Government yesterday passed temporary amendments to the Fair Work Act. The focus of attention has been on the Job Keeper payment, introducing wage subsidies which Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter said are “temporary but […]
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and, in particular to support some of the hardest hit industries, the Fair Work Commission has approved temporary changes to the Clerks, Hospitality and Restaurant Awards. This follows joint applications for these changes made by employer groups and unions. The welcome changes allow employers flexibility in applying a temporary […]
Stand Downs: A Business Survival Tool, But Tread Carefully The COVID-19 pandemic was a rollercoaster for businesses worldwide, forcing many to navigate uncharted territory. Among the tough decisions employers faced, the concept of “stand downs” emerged as a potential lifeline. But what exactly is a stand down, and when can it be used legally and […]
There’s no doubt that advances in technology are changing the way we work. SEEK research reveals that while 2 in 3 (64%) Australians believe their job will exist in 10 years’ time, more than half (56%) believe they’ll need to learn new skills as a result of technological advances. So, how can you equip your […]
In the wake of the global shift towards remote work, businesses worldwide have undergone a significant transformation in their work culture. While the benefits of working from home are plentiful, it is crucial to address the health and safety aspects associated with this new mode of operation. In this blog post, we will explore and […]
As you know at Employee Matters our vision is ‘Achieving Business Success Through Your People’. In these testing and uncertain times, more than ever, you need to ensure you have a business full of Employee Assets who can help drive your business forward and free you up to work on ensuring the sustainability of your […]
It has been a busy year already for employers to manage changes in workplace regulations and events impacting business. New Annualised Hours rules for some Awards, more proposals by the government to deal with underpayments and Wage Theft and the impact of the bushfires and currently of COVID-19. But the pace does not let up […]
Important advice for business owners regarding the coronavirus crisis. Natasha Hawker explains the steps that you can take to best manage your business and team members during this emergency. If you would like some assistance with preparing a crisis management plan, please contact us – we’re here to help. Book a Free Discovery Session […]
Do you pay your employees an “all up amount” annualised salary? For some awards there are significant changes on the way in 2020. Is your business ready? As part of the four yearly review of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission handed down a decision impacting annualised wage (salary) provision changes for certain Awards. When […]
The Coalition wins the election and Labor’s argument that the reduction in penalty rates, for some sectors is unfair, does not resonate with the voters. Does this represent the end of the Coalition’s 12-year industrial relations hangover from ‘Work Choices’ as we are about to embark on a new wave of pro-business IR reform? Put […]
Natasha Hawker and Caroline De Kimpe of New Horizon Coaching talk about building employee assets – not liabilities In this podcast episode you will learn: The 9-step employee asset model Why employee relations and HR best practice are so important. The short- and long-term consequences of a broken employee relations and HR practice. The key […]
You’re a growing business offering a competitive package with flexible working conditions and all the latest benefits, but you still find those good people, who really make a difference, hard to find. So where are they? Well, there’s no simple answer to this question, but one area that can offer some insight is the significant […]
Employers have a ‘duty of care’ and the latest stats are suggesting that one in four Australian employees between the age of 16-85 have a mental health condition. This could be anxiety, depression, substance abuse, anorexia and in more serious cases this can lead to suicide. We have recently given 8 of our team members […]
We are incredibly proud of our Founder, Natasha Hawker, who is now an accredited Mentor at Mentored with Mark Bouris. You can either book Natasha as your own Mentor, or just ask a question on the site which Natasha will be happy to answer for you – click Here. If you’re struggling with employee engagement […]
By Catherine Williams A study by travel website Expedia of more than 11,000 people found Australian workers take less annual leave than their entitlements allow them, with the average using only 14 of 20 paid days available. One-in-six Australians failed to take a single day of leave in 2018. This year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, […]
Most Startups begin with and are driven by Big Dreams with a sweeping vision and lots of risk for failure thrown in for good measure. The statistics are confronting, more than 60% of businesses fail within the first 3 years. The reason for this is that it’s tough, really tough. Cash flow is a constant […]
Changes to Victoria Long Service Leave-effective November 1st There will be substantial changes to long service leave in Victoria due to the New Long Service Act 2018 coming into effect on 1st of November and it’s important for Victoria businesses to be ready (and businesses based outside Victoria, but that have employees working within Victoria). […]
Natasha Hawker talks with Sarah McDonald on ABC Radio in this interview which aired Friday, 19 October 2018. Listen in here
Recently, a client shared with me something that was happening with one of her valued team members that just seemed so unfair and my client was at a loss as to how she could help. Her employee had recently lost her mother to a heart attack, after three weeks on life-support and she was commuting […]
Have you ever fired off an inappropriate joke to a colleague via email? Or maybe you’ve watched something you shouldn’t have when you were meant to be working? Be careful, because your work computer and everything on it is not as private as you may think. Natasha Hawker was consulted for this ABC News article, […]
By Morgan Howard In the media lately, we hear A LOT about bullying and harassment cases; disturbing accounts of incidents and events that have happened to people within their workplaces and employers that have had to pay large fines as a consequence of these events, often occurring without their direct knowledge. At Employee Matters, […]
Advisers don’t start a financial planning business purely to take on and manage employees. But growth often requires more people, so how do you master the hiring, managing and firing of staff within your business? Enter Natasha Hawker (@NatashaHawker) of Employee Matters (www.employeematters.com.au). The proof that Natasha is a HR guru is seen in the […]
Poor leadership can, and will, increase employee turnover – and the associated costs involved with re-hiring, re-training and bringing employees back up to the required level of productivity, can vary from 50% to 150% of their annual salary. Have I got your attention? Click Here for complete article
Businesses in Australia are becoming subject to an increasing focus on incidents of wage theft. The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act of 2017 has introduced significantly higher penalties for a range of contraventions. Fines of up to $630,000 for a company and $126,000 for an individual now apply in relation to matters that […]
Does this Impact Your Business? The Fair Work Commission has handed down its annual wage review decision delivering a 3.5% increase to both the national minimum wage and the minimum wage for all Modern Awards. The increases will come into effect from 1 July 2018. The Detail Today’s decision increases the national minimum wage by 3.5%. The new national […]
What happens when you take a client out for a business lunch? You win more work, writes Natasha Hawker. My career started in Banking & Finance in the late 80’s, when “greed was good”. Trading halted for a 90 minutes lunch and the traders vanished to the pub to mingle with clients and drink 3 […]
Natasha and Jeremy of Business Legal Lifecycle chatted about all things HR and the genesis of Employee Matters, the business. Listen in and view Here
By Natasha Hawker Why are Australian businesses not reaching their potential when it comes to productivity? Currently we are lagging behind other OECD countries and our position is not improving. We are behind US, UK, Brazil and France, to name just a few. “Productivity is the real value of output produced by a unit […]
By Kate Renton, Employee Expert The Fair Work Ombudsman has begun to audit 1000 businesses across Australia, as part of a new campaign to make sure employers have the basics right in their workplaces. Your business could be one of their targets. The Workplace Basics campaign will see Fair Work Inspectors assist businesses with […]
By Kate Renton Facebook and LinkedIn are out – Snapchat and Instagram are in. And I’m not talking about where to post your latest selfies, I’m talking about the social media channels you’ll need to use for recruitment if you are trying to attract Gen Z. Here are the 8 most important things to consider […]
Back in April 2017, the Government announced that they would be replacing the Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 visa with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from March 2018. Since the announcement there has been over 200 occupations removed from the occupation lists used for skilled migration visas, including the 457 and 407 (training) […]
You may have seen our Managing Director, Natasha Hawker was interviewed for an ABC Online article last week on the businesses who are hiring only non-smokers. As you may expect, the comments on this article picked up views from both ends of the spectrum and the article itself was picked up as a talking […]
So you’ve been doing this small business thing for a while now. You’ve got the logo, some employees and the business is streaming in… but forming a company identity is still sitting at the bottom of your pile of to do’s. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Creating a company identity can seem overwhelming – as […]
Anyone in business today knows the importance of a high-performing employee. They can help you get the job done, bring in more sales, help others in the office, and can even brighten your working day. These types of employees are golden tickets in the business world, and should be treasured accordingly. But this post isn’t […]
Natasha Hawker works well with deadlines. It was what prompted her to have three children in three years, become a yacht skipper before a holiday and play squash two to three times per week. It also enables her to juggle the different demands that come with being a mother, wife and joint owner with her […]
By Sandra Rajendra, Employee Expert Can I Hire Someone for Free? Sure! You don’t have to pay someone in some instances if they are doing an internship, on work experience, on trial or a vocational placement (formal work experience as part of a course). Someone may agree to enter into an unpaid arrangement if they […]
My guest this week is the incredibly talented Natasha Hawker, director of Employee Matters. She is an author, trainer, speaker and mother of 3. Her book, From Hire to Fire and Everything In Between is a handbook for business owners of the ‘how tos’ of managing staff and even having those difficult conversations. Click […]
If you were to go and ask for a pay rise, would you know the best way to go about it? The Reserve Bank Governor says workers are in a good position to talk to bosses about a pay rise because of low unemployment rates. So how should you do it? HR specialist Natasha […]
Natasha Hawker speaks at the FBAA Annual Conference on the Gold Coast, November 2016
I once worked for a company where the attrition rate was over 50% company-wide and the majority of new hires were not successful beyond the 6 month probationary period. Managers would regularly sit around wondering why the fantastic person they recently hired was now behaving so differently – and then they left! I was one […]
Most managers have had to do it at some point in their career but most have never been taught how and they bumble through doing the best they can. Make no mistake, it is still a ‘war for talent’ in the market and to improve the productivity levels of your business and beat your competition […]
By Stacy Gershberg, Employee Expert Have you ever walked into a shop and you couldn’t find anyone to help you? Or, if you do, they are so focused on their job that they don’t even look up at you? I am sure we can all say YES to that! It’s one of the most annoying […]
By Natasha Hawker People often ask me, if I could get one thing right around my people strategy, what would it be? Unfortunately, there is not one strategy that fixes everything. For example, I had a client that I initially went in to one day a week, to help with the HR for a period […]
One of the things that I get on “my soapbox” about is the disproportionate representation of women in the boardroom, and it was made even clearer to me this week just how deep-seated this problem is. My daughter put in her application to be formally considered for School or Vice-Captain. This was followed by two […]
Communication is key to your success. It is so vital for a successful culture and business, it’s easy enough to do but it’s a balancing act for it to be effective. Are you communicating too much? – In which case people have stopped listening. Are you not communicating enough? – In which case people […]
We recently helped a client reduce their annual leave and long service leave liability from $790k down to $200k. Now this liability was sitting on their balance sheet (looks bad to potential investors) and if a chunk of their team left suddenly, it would need to be paid out immediately. Do you have a spare […]
It’s Friday afternoon and Christine, who has a series of documented performance failures, is about to be dismissed by you. You are by no means looking forward to this awkward conversation, but can be comforted by the knowledge that you have complied with your obligations thus far — and that Christine has decided to accept […]
It’s Friday afternoon and Christine, who has a series of documented performance failures, is about to be dismissed by you. You are by no means looking forward to this awkward conversation, but can be comforted by the knowledge that you have complied with your obligations thus far — and that Christine has decided to accept […]
In this episode, I chat with Natasha Hawker about savvy human resources (HR) strategies. This is one of the areas dental practice owners and managers struggle with regularly. Natasha is an employment and HR expert and director of Employee Matters. Natasha believes small businesses are the backbone of this country and work harder than anyone […]
Recently, a client shared with me something that was happening with one of her valued team members that just seemed so unfair and my client was at a loss as to how she could help. Her employee had recently lost her mother to a heart attack, after three weeks on life-support and she was commuting […]
We recently had a new client approach us after an employee had alleged that there had been a breach of a general work protection, involving unfair dismissal, under the Fair Work Act 2009. Background The client was issued with an F8A response form by the Fair Work Commission which he was required to complete and […]
In this HerBusiness podcast interview with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, Natasha Hawker discusses how businesses that build high performing teams have increased profit, increased customer satisfaction, increased customer loyalty and an increased ability to attract employees. Natasha emphasises the importance of employees: they are a lever for your business, with the potential to make your […]
Why do some people want to desperately work for some businesses and avoid others like the plague? Mostly it can be put down to culture or the managers’ reputation. But how do you make or create a culture? Why would you bother? My thinking is that if more businesses focused on their cultural strategy, many […]
They say, and I believe, that “giving is better than receiving”. I made one of my team members cry today which made me very happy!Today, I was able to do this. I was lucky enough to win a competition for a prize of flowers, thanks to #RubyConnection – the reason I won was because I […]
An employee who often comes in late, if at all, is frequently burdened with personal “stuff” or is just not pulling their weight in the workplace… – sound familiar? Chances are you have worked with an individual who fits this description or you still have one in your business. Unreliability is a business-killer; if you […]
For most small business owners, there is stress from the moment they wake until they close their eyes at night, sometimes not for too long. If it is not cash flow issues making them toss and turn in their sleep, it is contracts being negotiated, staff being reliable, not spending enough time with their […]
At the end of last week, a client rang me – she was fed up, she had had enough and needed our help. One of her employees: Had taken excessive amounts of paid and unpaid sick leave without providing any medical certificates and then claimed he was working from home while off sick Was aggressive […]
Last month, Australian mainstream and social media lit up with reactions to suggestive comments made to a TV journalist by a well-known cricketer. What he thought was just ‘having some fun’ was interpreted by many as a blatant case of harassment, and the pressure many women feel to stay quiet and ‘just ignore it’. A […]
Last week, I met Carol at the Coles checkout. I asked her (while she was serving another customer) whether they sold cool bags. She did not respond – not because she was ignoring me – but she didn’t hear me. That was when I saw that she had a hearing aid (in fact a cochlear […]
The other day my burgeoning grey hairs sent me on a much overdue trip to the hairdresser for some TLC. As usual, I engaged in a bit of chit chat with my hairdresser, a lady in her mid-twenties. We were chatting about part-time work for teenagers as my very motivated 13 year old is already […]
It’s the worst job a boss has to do, but if you can’t do it, you probably shouldn’t be running the show. For full article click Here
So you now have your first employee or employees – congratulations! But now what? – A point to note – within the first 12 months new hires are a high risk for resignation as this is when they have limited loyalty to your business and if it is not working for them they will walk. […]
This week I had to say goodbye to a client that had been with me since the beginning and it was hard, very hard — she had been a regular source of income but it was the right thing to do. The issue was that the employee I had assigned had become too expensive for […]
If you’re a small business owner you’re probably going to end up with employees sooner or later. But managing employees is a skill most small business owners don’t possess. In her new book, Natasha Hawker shares everything you need to know, from hire to fire. Read the first chapter Here
Why don’t small businesses measure their employee costs? Largely, it is because they don’t understand the formulae to use. Then there is the time required to analyse the data and make more effective decisions using it. Employees are often a ‘means to an end’, a mystery and time consuming frustration for employers. The best way […]
The old cliché ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’ rang true for me this past week. A candidate that had performed in a contract role in the past for us (and had done an exceptional job) contacted me to say she had applied for a role that she was really interested in […]
Your business is only ever going to be as good as your employees. Whether you like it or not, you are in a war for talent, which you need to win. With the economy improving, the previous minimal rates of resignations are about to change and people with more confidence and more employability will start […]
Let’s face it, no one wants to end up in front of the Fair Work Commissioner facing lengthy and expensive legal wrangles so I wanted to put this into perspective for you by getting you to answer some questions……. For full article click Here
I was asked recently by a small business owner, “How do you get the right people on the bus?” A Mission critical question. As you would know, it’s not only about finding people with the right skills and experience for the specific role and team, it’s also about finding people who ‘fit’ culturally. To do […]
Did you know that to be considered as an ‘older worker’ in Australia you only have to be older than 50? Now that’s pretty young (admittedly that’s coming from a 40 something!) but ask someone in their 50’s, who is looking for a job, whether they are finding it difficult to be considered for roles […]
When I look back on my career, I feel very lucky for the fabulous experiences that I have had, especially twelve years at a professional services firm. In this role, I worked late, partied hard, travelled and worked all over the world and learnt an incredible amount BUT I was single, young and carefree. I was […]
If you knew what I am about to share with you, before you started your business, you would probably never have started one in Australia. It is a legal minefield, fraught with significant risk of breaching several laws and fines of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. I promise, I’m not exaggerating. Then there are […]
Most start-ups start on the ‘smell of an oily rag’. Businesses are built on blood, sweat tears and hours and hours of unpaid labour or on Mum or Dad helping you out because they love and believe in you. So how do you know when you are a ‘real’ business and it is time to […]
By our guest blogger, Danny King – Principal of Danny King Legal Each employment relationship is different, and may be subject to multiple pieces of legislation and other industrial instruments that interact with each other. Finding answers to very specific employment law questions is not always an easy task, and the laws in this area […]
Recent events in Sydney have been devastating for us all. Alongside the tragedy, fear, and remarkable resilience of the human spirit, comes the economic reality of the fall-out. When events occur that trigger emergency measures – such as acts of terrorism, extreme violence, or natural disasters – many businesses are impacted by the emergency measures […]
Optimise Business Success: Mastering Effective Employee Management Starting and successfully running a business is undeniably challenging. The sheer volume of tasks, coupled with ambitious goals and limited resources, particularly in terms of finances, can make the journey daunting. Effectively utilizing available resources is crucial, and yet, one frequently overlooked area in many small businesses is […]
We recently sent out a survey to a number of small businesses to ascertain how compliant they are around current employment legislation – and it made for stark reading. We had respondents from a wide range of industries such as travel, IT, finance, accountants, events, publishing and interior design to name just a few. The […]
Being sacked just two months into a payroll position absolutely floored a Brisbane woman. It was just like any other Monday morning when Angela Manderson walked into the office. However, she hadn’t even sat down when she was tapped on the shoulder. She was called into the bosses’ office. “I was told that I was […]
As HR practitioners know, effective and inspirational leadership is fundamental to achieving positive HR outcomes – so it’s somewhat troubling that Aussie leaders lack the ability to inspire and motivate, according to new research. Click Here for full HC Online article
Recently, FWA ruled that Home Choice had unfairly dismissed an employee who had emailed the entire company calling his MD a name (rhyming with banker!) and stating that one of his hobbies was masturbation. Pretty extreme I would say, so why couldn’t they fire him and what can we learn from this case? Culture – […]
They are standard procedure when someone leaves a business. But do they achieve anything? When one of your best employees calls it quits, it can come as a bitter blow. But if a conga line of departing staff begins to form, it might be high time to find out why. Enter the exit interview. Natasha […]
These simple steps in the article will help you ‘navigate’ the silly season and help to have all of your employees feel that they ‘matter’ to you. We have hit the ‘silly season’ and there is a very good reason that it is called just that. We typically eat, drink and party more enthusiastically than […]
I was visiting McDonalds yesterday on the behalf a client and, as I was leaving with my host, the lift opened and a women entered – average height probably in her late thirties – my host exchanged the usual type of pleasantries with her, as you do in a lift, so I assumed that she […]
Can you smell the whiff of confidence in the air now we are in teh new year Now the economy things seem to be looking up are you thinking about a merger or acquisition? Many SMEs decide one of the quickest ways to grow your business is to buy another one. There is a lot […]
Why would you ever want to do an exit interview? Just recently, a client of ours had a senior member of the team resign and we are assisting them with the replacement of this role. We have just conducted an independent exit interview with the employee leaving the role – you might ask ‘why?’ You […]
Why do you need to care about culture or about providing a great place to work? Maybe it might help to answer these questions first: Fancy increasing your revenue by 400%? What about improving your client’s customer service experience by three times? Do you want the majority of your employees to be high performers? Have […]
Are you giving your business the best shot? Maybe, but maybe not – I had a client the other day ‘interview’ a candidate and it went a bit like this: Candidate arrived – Owner seemed flustered and distracted – the interview was on the couch in front of the rest of the team…Question one (and […]
As an SME, when you get the dreaded call that one of your team is sick – what do you do? Did they actually call or was it received by text? Most small businesses run a very lean team, so having a team member off for a day – or worse still a week – […]
A couple of years back, the Federal Government announced that it was making changes to Guaranteed Superannuation Contributions – these changes will finally come into effect on 1 July 2013. What does this mean for me and my business? Compulsory superannuation contributions are made by employers of behalf of their employees. At the moment, the […]
Employment Relations can be a complex area and, let’s face it – it can be hard to keep up with all the legislation changes on top of everything else you need to stay on top of as a business owner. Here are five of the myths that I hear from business owners: I pay above […]
So what is personal leave? Sounds like secret women’s business to me. What is flexible working? Does that mean flexi-time? What is NES? Do I need to know, should I care? The answer to all these questions is yes! Back on 1/1/2010 when Fair Work Act legislation came into play so did the National Employment […]
You are growing and you have decided to bring on your first permanent employee – you feel great but, be honest, a bit nervous? When you talk to entrepreneurs, this stage of business is what terrifies them most – being someone’s boss; responsible for pay, ER legislation and recruitment and then what happens if it […]
Whilst we are celebrating International Women’s Day today I wanted to remember that good business partnerships are often founded on couples going into business together whose strengths lie in diverse, but complimentary, areas. So often we hear the catchcry “Behind every good man there is a great woman”, as if his success depends on this […]
It hurts doesn’t it? When someone in your team decides to leave you after you have invested significant time and money in them. Just think about it – there was the recruitment drive, recruitment fees, onboarding, induction, on the job training, external training and the time it took until they were a fully functional member […]
It’s the biggest secret all managers want to know – the Holy Grail if you will. How do I get more out of my employees? An extra 10% effort on their part would make the world of difference and potentially add 19% to the bottom line – but how do I organise this? Well let […]
Every business has one ‘problem’ or non-performing employee and if you don’t, I would suspect that you are probably not being completely honest with yourself. It is a competitive world and if you are going to succeed, you not only need to ‘win the war for talent’, you need to retain it. If an individual […]