Navigating the Latest Workers’ Comp Changes: What Employers Need to Know Alright, folks, it’s time to buckle up and get clued in on the recent shake-up in the world of workers’ compensation down under in Victoria. As of March 31, 2024, the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 got a makeover courtesy of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (WorkCover Scheme Modernisation) Act 2024. Now, before you start scratching your head and wondering what this means for you as an employer, let me break it down into plain English. Mental Health Claims: What’s Ch ..read more

40 hour work week – Is it possible? Australia’s 38-hour work week, mandated by the National Employment Standards (NES), sets the standard for full-time employment, balancing productivity with worker well-being. The NES states that full-time employees cannot be engaged to work more than the maximum 38 hours a week. However, many businesses often want to structure their employees to work a 40-hour work week or 8 hours per day. But is this lawful, and what are the risks? While the 38-hour work week is the standard and highly recommended for a myriad of reasons, flexibility in contracting can allo ..read more

Content Warning: This personal article written by our founder and CEO, Emily Jaksch, bravely delves into the topic of menopause and women’s health from a first-person perspective. It candidly discusses taboo subjects and shares Emily’s personal experiences. Please be aware of the sensitive nature of the content and proceed with discretion, especially if you may find discussions of menopause triggering or distressing. Around two years ago, I found myself on an unexpected and challenging journey – the rollercoaster ride of perimenopause. As my cycle became increasingly irregular, I grappled with ..read more

Landmark $1.3 million penalty for first workplace manslaughter conviction. In a decisive move highlighting the critical importance of workplace safety, a Victorian stonemasonry firm recently faced significant legal consequences under the state’s stringent workplace manslaughter regulations, leading to a massive penalty of $1.3 million. This case came about following the tragic death of an employee due to a preventable accident at a Somerton-based plant. Universal Stone and Marble, operating under LH Holding Management Pty Ltd, acknowledged its negligence in ensuring a safe working environment ..read more

Ever wondered why folks willingly put themselves through the agony of running? Yeah, I used to be one of those skeptics, happily drowning in my Netflix marathon comfort. Running? Pfft, as alien as deciphering rocket science. Fast forward a year and a gym membership later, and here I am – a Netflix dropout turned marathon dreamer. Come along for the ride as I spill the beans on how pavement pounding taught me more about leadership than any corporate seminar. My first attempts at running were comically cautious like a baby giraffe taking its first steps. Each day felt like a small victory – kind ..read more

With Christmas fast approaching (not to scare you, but only 34 sleeps to go) and for many businesses the chance to shut down and enjoy the holiday period with family and friends, it is important to make sure you have adhered to the new rules around shutdowns and annual leave directions during the holiday season. For those of you who have missed it, from 1 May this year, the rules around employees taking annual leave during a shutdown changed for a long list of Awards.  As a reminder, a shutdown is when a business temporary closes, such as during Christmas and New Year.  Over 75 Award ..read more

Have you ever had a performance review that was just awful? Well, you are not alone! Whether you are a leader forced to deliver them or an employee who is forced to endure one, most Performance Appraisal systems suck balls. And believe me, after being in the HR game for over 20 years I have seen it all and you know what, I have tried it all too, yet most processes continue to miss the mark and instead instill feelings of dread amongst the people they are meant to be serving. So why do we still keep doing this? Have we not learned from our mistakes? Surely, most leaders and business owners real ..read more

Have you ever worked with an employee that struggles with crippling self-doubt and fear when you ask them to do something new? I have, and I’m not going to lie it frustrates the hell out of me. Particularly when the employee is saying they are wanting to grow and learn new things, or stretch beyond their role but whenever you ask them to do it, they freak out. Fear of the unknown is a really common trigger for many people, so how do we help people push boundaries and learn to be more resilient? It’s a common problem in workplaces today and many leaders struggle to help young people “learn on t ..read more

In the current world of increasing labour costs, inflation and interest rate rises, we are commonly asked about how to make efficiencies within businesses. This conversation, more often than not, results in our clients seeking our advice on redundancies and the right way to do them. When approached the right way, with empathy, transparency and procedural fairness, redundancies can be a good way to drive efficiencies and cut costs. But, more often than not we see them rolled out in a rushed, unstructured approach that can cost businesses lots of $$$. So, let’s take a look at some of the most co ..read more

The 4-day workweek debate has been gaining a lot of airtime recently, with a number of Companies participating in trials around Australia. It’s a hot topic as businesses attempt to create that elusive “work-life” balance that younger generations are craving post-COVID burnout. So, what is the 4-day work week? It’s a concept commonly referred to as the 100:80:100 model. Effectively employees get 100 per cent of their pay for working 80 per cent of their previous hours in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100-per-cent productivity. YES, you read right, and whilst most employees would ju ..read more