An inevitable fact of a growing business is that at some point it will undergo an organizational restructure. These will undoubtedly affect employees across all levels of the company. Employers should be ready to appropriately manage and communicate these changes to employees.

Changes to duties…

HR professionals inhabit a unique environment with a unique set of challenges – they are expected to balance compliance, business interests and employee interests all at once. The most difficult position a HR professional can find themself in is being asked to carry out a business decision by a superior that conflicts with their obligations to ensure compliance with workplace laws, including the protections…

It’s a new financial year, and there is a stack of important HR legislation updates and changes to pay entitlements that you need to get your head around. To make sure you’re totally up-to-date with the changes that were brought in on 1 July, here’s a wrap-up of six of the most important things you need to know.   HR legislation…

Most workplaces have an appearance and dress code policy which commonly requires employees to wear a particular uniform or have a certain standard of appearance.

Increasingly, workplaces have dropped or relaxed dress code policies which previously required that professional business attire would be worn at all times in the office.…

Are Corporate Uniforms tax deductible? The answer is a little more complex than you might imagine.

 Compulsory Uniform

 The Australian Government allows people to claim the cost of corporate uniforms which are deemed ‘compulsory and necessary’. But, what does this mean? Compulsory uniforms must tick at least some the following boxes:

•  Distinctive to the company (i.e includes a logo or brand colours).
•  Not part…

As a leader or manager you are in a position where you have more impact than most. While your intention will always be for that impact to be positive, sometimes it’s affected by factors you may not be aware of. Your reputation for example.

If you have a reputation for being strong or principled, then chances are your words and your directions will have more impact than someone with a reputation for not walking the talk. Where there’s a misalignment, problems will arise. They may be…

It’s that time of year when many of us head off overseas. Different country, different culture and different currency. I’ve recently returned from my native Britain. Fancying myself as something of a global traveler, I like to keep a bit of local currency in my wallet. (Not quite Jason Bourne, but it feels a bit ‘international’). When I arrived in London, I pulled out a five…

The difference between an entrepreneur and a jobseeker lies in their respective mindsets. While the entrepreneur will focus on improving his skills, the jobseeker is a perfectionist focusing on improving his weaknesses. An entrepreneur is ready to take the risk of an uncertain future but the jobseeker prefers stability and security. The go-getter attitude of an entrepreneur is what makes him drastically different from an employee. He is not afraid to experiment and he will not hesitate to…

Breaking the news about redundancies will never be an easy or enjoyable process, but with forward planning and a respectful and compassionate approach you can avoid adding to the distress of the affected employees and avoid long-lasting and potentially damaging impact to your organisation. 

Be strategic

Approaching the conversation with a clear…

When is a work related event not a work related event and when do the rules of the workplace apply? The rights and obligations of employers and employees can be blurred at times.

A function held on work premises, for example, can at times be a private event and outside the scope of an employer’s obligations. And a private off site event can also at times be considered work related if an employer has directed an employee to be…

When faced with issues of workplace misconduct or complaints or grievances employers have a duty of care to respond in a manner that ensures a safe working environment. – Read more about the duty of care

Generally when you receive a complaint you have 3 choices;

1. Outsource to an external investigator (See what the FWC had to say about outsourcing investigations…

In a recent decision of the Fair Work Commission (FWC), a nurse has been reinstated following her termination in circumstances where covert video surveillance was the 'sole foundation' of allegations against her. The FWC also found that her employer's human resources department acted incorrectly and inappropriately in the circumstances surrounding her dismissal.

FACTS OF THE CASE

Ms…

This is a parable taken from early Buddhist, Hindu and Jain texts…

Word got to a group of blind men that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the village.  Having no clue about its shape or form, one said: "We must inspect and get to know it by touch.  Of this we are capable". When they found it they touched, caressed and groped so that they could each share their findings.  "This being is like a thick snake" when the trunk was touched. For another, it was…

When AWPTI conducts an investigation we provide all the documentation including letters of allegation to our clients however I am often asked “Should we provide some sort of letter or email with the allegations?”

The answer is always YES.

Why: Recently I published an article about allegation letters, procedural fairness and why it is essential……

When considering dismissing an employee for serious misconduct, employers must bare in mind the following;

1. Does the alleged behaviour that resulted in dismissal reach the threshold of serious misconduct
2. Have you conducted an investigation – do you have the evidence to support the decision to terminate?
3. Does the punishment fit the crime?

More details of another case there the issue of the punishment fitting the crime was considered by the FWC – …

In light of the  XL Express Pty Ltd decision at the Fair Work Commission, I think it’s time to review Summary Dismissal. (More about XL Express here – http://awpti.com.au/unfair-dismissal-serious-misconduct-workplace-investigation/

Summary dismissal is dismissal without notice. It does not require advance notice to the…

Carer’s leave was introduced as an employee entitlement in the Australian workplace as part of the Fair Work Act. Under Section 97 of the Act:

An employee may take paid personal/carer's leave if the leave is taken:

(a) because the employee is not fit for work because of a personal illness, or personal injury, affecting the employee; or

(b) to provide care or support…

Classroom training can seem like a real treat. Especially when we consider that more than 3 quarters of people haven’t attended a course in the last two years. But if they’re not attending courses (even if they like them), then how are they developing themselves? If they are like you and I …

You are being limited by the experience of the people around you.  Many Leadership teams fall into the Thinking Trap of Experience because they believe that once a subject or idea is discussed and debated by the team it is sufficient to make a good decision.  Sadly, most Leadership teams are lacking the necessary diversity to fully consider the complexities of the…