Introduction Purpose of the guide Many businesses at some stage require additional resources to supplement their workforce and often the best and most flexible option is to hire an independent contractor to fill a short-term requirement such as IT services, additional clerical, or administrative roles or for additional manpower to manage peak periods. The three main reasons businesses seek to …

Introduction In today’s fast-paced world with technological advancements, communication and a global business environment, there is increased pressure on people in general and especially on those trying to manage their personal and business lives to maintain a balance and stay on top of what can be very difficult and trying circumstances. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicates 45 per cent …

Introduction In today’s world, the mode and speed of changes in technology and communication have altered traditional habits and behaviours in a manner that will only increase in intensity and methodology.  These changes have fundamentally altered the way that people, in general, communicate in both their private lives and in the workplace. The difficulty for employers is that the pace …

Change Management Many cases of workplace change, or restructuring are derailed or ineffective, though they may start with the best of intentions and are put in place due to necessary operational or financial imperatives. One of the key factors for this outcome is lack of communication at the employee level where the changes are introduced.  This makes effective implementation of …

Introduction There have been some dramatic changes in the industrial relations legislation and compliance issues that have affected businesses in Australia since 2007.  A brief history of these changes commenced in 2007 when the then Prime Minister John Howard introduced changes to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) (WR Act). These amendments named ‘Work Choices’ came into effect on 27 …

Introduction Surviving the current business environment in Australia is a complex combination of having a sound business with a sustainable place in the market and the staff and structures which maximise profits and minimise costs. What is often lost in this equation is the value of employee involvement and outcomes and how best to maximise this to make the most …

Handling Workplace Grievances and Disputes One of the most common forms of disruption at the workplace is when a grievance or dispute occurs which disrupts the normal flow of work and affects relationships between staff and management.  Workplaces are microcosms of society in general and despite the best efforts of any organisation, there is a myriad of trigger points that …