The annual announcement by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) regarding the annual Minimum Wage Review has just been handed down. Let’s not hold you in suspense…. This year, the FWC determined that both Modern Awards and the National Minimum Wage would be increased by 3.5% effective from 1 July 2025. In reaching this decision, the […]
From January 1, 2025, Australia implemented new criminal wages theft legislation under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023. The legislation makes it a crime to intentionally underpay an employee. Even though most employers are committed to doing the right thing, these changes mirror the government's zero-tolerance policy towards deliberate exploitation of wages—and […]
Burnout isn’t just something that happens in big corporates or high-pressure industries — it’s becoming increasingly common in small and mid-sized businesses too. When you’re running lean and everyone’s wearing multiple hats, it’s easy for stress to build up and for burnout to go unnoticed. As business owners and leaders, it’s critical to recognise the […]
Retirement might feel like a distant concept when you're knee-deep in work priorities and still paying school fees, but for a growing part of your workforce, it’s right around the corner. And here’s the thing: it’s a big transition for both the employee and your business. Handled well, supporting employees towards retirement can strengthen your […]
Recent Victorian Supreme Court decisions have significantly broadened the scope of portable long service leave (PLSL) obligations in the state - impacting employers across a wide range of industries: you may now be required to contribute to a portable leave scheme, even if you’re not traditionally considered part of the construction sector. What is portable […]
Employee turnover is an inevitable aspect of business operations, but when key talent departs, the repercussions extend far beyond just filling a vacancy. The departure of experienced employees can result in the loss of valuable knowledge and experience along with disruption to team dynamics. Then there are the costs associated with recruiting and training replacements […]
For those of you who have had the pleasure of living with a teenager, you will have encountered weaponised incompetence. You may not have known you were being manipulated at the time, but make no mistake, you have a lived experience with this behaviour. So what is weaponised incompetence? What is weaponised incompetence? Sometimes also referred to as strategic incompetence, it occurs when an individual deliberately feigns inability or lack […]
At HR Staff n’ Stuff, we’re always talking about policies. Why? Because they are there to protect your business just as much as your employees. They set the tone for what is the expected standard of behaviour in the workplace. The recent case of Oz 22 Painting being fined $90,000 for failing to prevent workplace […]
As leaders, we often focus on ensuring business continuity, maintaining productivity, and supporting our teams in visible, tangible ways. But what about the unseen struggles that impact our employees beneath the surface? The aftermath of natural disasters, such as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the subsequent flooding, damage to homes and the loss of life, leaves […]
As a team of HR Consultants, we’ve seen many businesses face the frustrating and damaging situation where an employee, on their last day, deletes critical work files before leaving. These files are intellectual property belonging to the business, and their loss can have serious consequences, from operational setbacks to legal and compliance risks. Why do […]
