Last week I wrote about getting employees to take ownership in the workplace and defined the difference between accountability,…

We have all seen signs in stores and at service counters alerting customers they will not be served if they are talking on their mobile phone. We all know there is an etiquette associated with the use of mobile phones, but did you know the use of these devices could also be causing conflict in the workplace and potentially harming your career?

I have conducted a number of mediations in which discussion has moved to…

When we are young, we learn things like manners, social cues and social values and incorporate them into our daily actions to the point that we don’t even think about them. How useful would it be to have a collaboration and influencing framework, a tool to improve your social awareness to the point…

Are you getting sick of the job hunting process? Feel like your applications are getting you nowhere? Then it may be your writing skills that need some tweaking. Proofreading and editing is vital when you write a resume, but many job seekers just don't do it. Here's some tips to make it easier and quicker to polish up your writing.…

Operational worksites have undergone dramatic change in the last 25 years, creating teams of strangers working around the clock with only fleeting encounters with their colleagues. Where progress has created new opportunities for productivity and efficiency, the age old challenge of engaging a team has become more important than ever.

Many managers with remote work forces are often wishing their teams the best for the working day ahead as they walk out the door, or talking about a…

The abolishment of the Visa 457 program earlier this year is definitely the biggest political decision that will have impact on Australian HR in a long time. In case you haven't heard, Prime Minister Turnbull announced the abolishment of the program in April, replacing it with the Temporary Skill Shortage visa. It goes without saying that the decision caused uproar from both…

Over the last six months we have seen a significant rise in General Protections claims made against employers, with business owners and managers needing to defend themselves and their company against claims of sham arrangements, adverse action and discrimination. Many of these claims are being made even while employees are involved in a show cause or performance management process.

To help you protect your employment brand and mitigate risk and liability, here is what you need to know…

With increased competition, accelerated change and more immediate demands from customers, you need a highly engaged team at the top of their game. By taking the time to develop your staff and carve out career pathways you build a stronger, smarter, more loyal organisation that is better equipped to handle the tasks, challenges and changes ahead.

Still not convinced that employee development is a worthwhile investment in your business right now? Here are four reasons developing your…

If you’re an introverted manager, chances are that you will occasionally find your preference for introversion is challenged by your role as a people leader. That’s not to say that introverts don’t make good managers or leaders. It just means that sometimes there’s a need to take on extroverted behaviour in order to be effective.

To clarify. That doesn’t mean you have to ‘be’ an extrovert, just that it helps to take on extroverted behaviours.

A…

The plight of trolley collectors has been a focus of the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) for many years, and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission before that.

In 2011, the FWO shifted its focus to the end users of the trolley collecting supply chain – big supermarkets. The FWO raised its supply chain concerns with Coles noting that Coles’…

The internet and email are essential tools for most businesses. Email makes correspondence and transactions simple and efficient, but it is also easy to send the wrong email to the wrong recipient!

Employer provided IT, internet and email services are prone to abuse and misuse by employees, sometimes deliberately and other times not. To guard against…

In our last instalment of our three part blog series we will focus on the most extreme form of enforcement under the Model Work Health and Safety Act, prosecutions.  

Prosecutions can only be brought by certain parties as set out under section 230 of the Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model WHS Act).  If the Court finds that obligations…

In part one of our three part series we discussed improvement and prohibition notices under the Model Work Health and Safety Act.  In this second part we will focus on enforceable (or WHS) undertakings. 

An enforceable undertaking is an agreement between an organisation and…

The value of the Federal Penalty Unit is set to increase by approximately 15% from 1 July 2017.

In an employment context, this means that employers can be fined up to $63,000 per breach of the Fair Work Act, whilst individuals (such as directors, managers and others found to be “accessories”) can be personally fined up to $12,600 per breach.

Last financial year the Fair Work Ombudsman ran extensive audit campaigns in a number of industries. Of the businesses audited,…

I recently wrote about the importance of treating your candidates as customers, however now that a candidate has been offered a role it's critical to ensure that you get their induction into your business spot on.  How do you ensure that when your new team member arrives for their first day you get it right?

This is a make or break it day and it is critical to a successful start into your business.  If you do not get your recruitment and induction right, you might find yourself with a…

There's a strong link between employees who take ownership, having a culture of accountability, and having a high trust workplace in high-performance workplaces. These elements must be embedded into the value and culture of a company in order to see the benefits.

This is post one of a three-piece series on building a culture of ownership, accountability, and trust in the workplace.…

Just as a meeting agenda keeps a meeting on track, a mediation meeting framework ensures that all important steps are covered and important discussion items are raised and addressed. This framework can provide structure and confidence for a less experienced mediator.

One of the most important tips I can offer you is not to rush the workplace mediation meeting. It is a common error to rush the meeting and this…

I’ve always loved the Beatles. As I explored in ‘Bringing out the greatness in others’ the variety of their music was extraordinary. For me, it’s their quirky songs that stand out; none more so than ‘The Fool on the Hill’ – a song about a scarecrow.

Day after…

While corporate uniforms can serve to create a polished and unified look for a brand, this is not their only benefit. Uniforms and dress codes are also one of our top tips for increasing productivity within the workplace. So, how can matching polos or coordinated blazers change corporate culture?

Professionalism

Research shows that what an individual is wearing, dictates their thought patterns and mood. When an employee dresses in uniform, subtle social and…

As a manager or people leader, you have several conversations with team members each day. These will often have a coaching or advisory element to them. Some may even be about performance management. And some conversations may in the form of emails or written…