Hello and welcome to Episode 279 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode we’re talking about workplace relations changes and what’s on the horizon.

Recently HRM Online shared an article where they interviewed the Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Amanda Rishworth, on what we can expect and what’s on the Governments agenda when it comes to Industrial Relations law changes over the next few years.

You can read the full article here: https://www.hrmonline.com.au/organisational-enablement/new-workplace-relations-minister-governments-upcoming-agenda

Today we look at what we know is changing, what we don’t yet know, and what you need to do to be prepared.

I also shared that the best way to ensure you are up to date with all the changes is to get support, which we can offer you through People Powered HR - This simple membership gives you everything you need to handle HR the right way. From compliant plug and play resources to expert answers, you’ll have the tools and support to make smart people decisions - and finally feel in control.

You can see all the details and join us here: https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/pphr

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 278 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Happy new financial year – how is the middle of the year feeling for you?

I for one am feeling tired, cold and a little bit over it all – and I’m getting the same vibes from my clients – both in terms of how they are feeling, and how their teams are feeling.

So today we’re talking about the mid year motivation slump.

We’re going to start by looking at why motivation wanes at this time of year. Then we’ll get into why it’s important to give your team a motivation boost right now and why a mid year reset is a great idea then I’m going to share 3 mid year motivation boosters that will help you and your team.

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 277 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Today we are joined by Kate Russell from The Huddle for a discussion on dealing with conflict in the workplace.

Kate is the Founder of The Huddle—a business built on deep listening, emotional safety, and the belief that conflict can be transformative, not destructive.

She’s not a lawyer, nor does she have a master’s degree in conflict resolution. Kate does have over 30 years of lived, professional experience navigating some of the most emotionally complex and high-stakes environments you can imagine—from child support and family services to workplace conflict and leadership breakdowns.

Kate has worked with people in crisis, in silence, in fury, in heartbreak—and she has walked beside them without flinching. Not to fix them. But to hear them. To reflect them. To help them find their way back to themselves and each other.

Kate created The Huddle for leaders and teams who are ready to have real conversations—the kind that heal fractures, build trust, and reshape culture from the inside out.

Her approach blends conflict transformation, trauma-informed practice, emotional intelligence, and good old-fashioned human decency. She is noy here to tell people what to do. She is here to help them listen better, lead better, and live better—at work and beyond.

If you’d like to connect with Kate her website is: https://www.thehuddle.net.au/

Or connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conflictcoachandteambuilder/

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion inside our free Facebook Group – The People Powered Business Community. Click here to join us.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 276 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

This week we are looking at your critical end of financial year compliance updates.

We start by taking a look at what happens on the 1st July 2025 including the National Minimum Wage increasing by 3.5% to $24.95 per hour or $948 per week. in addition the Modern Award minimum rates increasing by 3.5% from the first pay period on or after 1 July.

This is the time to be checking those Individual Flexibility Agreements and Annualised Wage Agreements to ensure you’re still passing the better off overall test.

Finally we have the Super Guarantee increasing to 12% on 1 July as well.

Then we look at some of the key changes you may have missed in the last 1-2 years including wage theft criminalisation which came into effect 1 January 2025, the changes to the definition of Casual Employment and the new casual conversion pathway. Of course there is the ongoing contractor debate – but do your contractors meet the new definition? We touch on the Respect at Work Act and your positive duty obligations and of course the right to disconnect.

We sum up by looking at what’s coming in terms of further changes. This includes the final piece of the right to disconnect laws, the current Gender Undervaluation decisions, the likely ban in non compete clauses and what else might be in store.

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 275 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

This week we have a brief but important technical update for you after the Fair Work Commission announced its decision around the National Minimum Wage increase effective 1 July.

This year we have a 3.5% wage increase being applied to the National Minimum Wage and all Modern Award Minimum Wages effective 1 July 2025.

But really, in the scheme of the changes happening in the Industrial Relations legal landscape over the last 2 years, this isn’t the biggest change we need to ensure we’re across.

We have yet another increase to Superannuation on the 1st July 2025, and of course the final implementation phase of the Right to Disconnect laws in August 2025.

This is on top of the last 12 months significant changes to the casual employment definition, the new pathway for casual conversion and the constantly murky area of employees v’s contractors conundrum – all of which employers are still struggling to grapple with.

The reality is, as an employer it is our responsibility to proactively keep up with these changes, so if you’re not across them, now is the time to get support and ensure your business is not at risk.

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 274 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are talking about probationary periods. What they are, why so many businesses get it so wrong in using them effectively and how to leverage them better.

Legally, the concept of probation isn’t defined in the Fair Work Act. What matters instead is the “minimum employment period”, which is 12 months for businesses with fewer than 15 employees or 6 months for businesses with 15 or more employees.

During this period, employees can’t make an unfair dismissal claim — which is why it’s often confused with “probation.”

BUT — if you don’t manage this properly — you can still face general protections claims, adverse action issues, and more. The employment contract wording is critical to protect you here.

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion inside our free Facebook Group – The People Powered Business Community. Click here to join us.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 273 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are joined by special guest Dr Shae Wissell from Re:Think Dyslexia.

Dr. Shae Wissell is a thought leader, researcher, and internationally recognised advocate for adults with dyslexia and neurodivergence. A certified practicing speech pathologist, she holds a Master of Public Health and Health Administration and a Doctor of Public Health.

With extensive experience in health, not-for-profit, and social enterprise sectors, Shae directs re:think dyslexia and founded the chair of the Dear Dyslexic Foundation, leveraging her lived experience and diverse expertise to provide coaching, advocacy, and workforce solutions.

Her research focuses on the lived experiences of Australian adults with dyslexia, examining social inequalities in healthcare, education, employment, relationships, and mental health. A published author and presenter, Shae’s work has been research has been recognised locally and internationally. Shae recently published her second book based on her research and lived experiences Dyslexia: Insights into the hidden disability In and Out of the Workplace.

As a coach, Shae empowers dyslexic individuals and entrepreneurs to achieve their goals through empathetic and impactful coaching. She also advises workplaces on creating inclusive environments and shaping policies and training programs to maximise the potential of neurodiverse employees.

If you’d like to connect with Shar, you can find her website here:

https://rethinkdyslexia.com.au/

Or connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shae-marie-wissell-b95aaa31/

To contact their helpline call: 1800 13 63 27

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion inside our free Facebook Group – The People Powered Business Community. Click here to join us.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 272 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are getting a little technical and unpacking a recent announcement and decision from the Fair Work Commission in relation to the Gender Undervaluation Review.

In this episode we will look at what’s changing – for sure, what is on the table to change, when will we know more and what’s coming next?

What we know is changing, for sure is the minimum pay rates for Pharmacists, including Pharmacy Interns, covered under the Pharmacy Award. They are getting a 14.1% pay rise, in 3 phases, starting 30 June 2025!

Also on the table are a number of provisional recommendations relating to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award, the Children’s Services Award and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Controlled Health Services Award.

These provisional recommendations include changes to classification structures, simplifying of awards and significant minimum wage increases.

So, when will we know for sure about these provisional changes? The Fair Work Commission is currently planning to list conferences with interested parties – so we will know more in the coming months.

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion inside our free Facebook Group – The People Powered Business Community. Click here to join us.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia