A recent article circulating in HR news highlights the pitfalls of inadequate workplace training. The story centred on a company that believed it had taken the necessary steps to protect itself but faced unexpected consequences when Fair Work Australia ruled against it. What happened? An employer terminated an employee for what it deemed “totally unacceptable” […]
By David Brown, General Manager In our previous blog on the benefits technology has brought to managing disciplinary processes, we discussed not only how things had changed in recent years, but also what had not changed including, as a reminder: The right of employees to a fair process including: notice of meetings the right to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Despite high-profile cases and an ongoing push in Australia for policies and training aimed at decreasing cases of employee misconduct, cases continue to pile up in the courts and the media. What Constitutes Employee Misconduct? You will often see in an HR policy or an employment contract quite a few examples of what could amount […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Big milestone – you have your first few permanent or casual employees and work is starting to get done. You’re no longer doing BD, programming, marketing, secretarial work, accounts and being the ‘chief bottle washer’ – phew! But hey… that also means that you’re the boss and with this role comes legal obligations– some with significant ramifications […]
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 […]
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 […]
I though that you might like a change from me, so I have asked a WH&S expert from our team to write this blog. In 2021 – 169 people died due to work-related traumatic injuries. Australia’s Lost-time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) paints an unsettling work health and safety scenario – one week or more was […]