by Paulette | Sep 28, 2026 | Employment Relations, Small Business HR
This is the question I get asked more than any other when things get tight. Usually on the phone, usually late in the day, usually phrased exactly like this: “Can I just drop her back to three days?” The honest answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes only with...
by Paulette | Aug 18, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions
Small Business HR · May 2026 When Business Gets Tough, Keeping Your Team Together Rising costs. Uncertain markets. Staff who are quietly struggling. Here’s how to lead with clarity — and protect your business while you do it. Paulette McCormack CAHRI · MAHRM · MER ·...
by Paulette | Jun 3, 2026 | Employing People, Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Small Business HR, Workplace Bullying
Addressing Workplace Bullying: How Employers Can Prevent Claims and Build a Safe Workplace Workplace bullying remains one of the most damaging — and most preventable — issues a small business can face. The good news? Employers who put the right processes in place,...
by Paulette | May 28, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Performance Management, Small Business HR
“That’s just bullying!” It’s one of the most common things we hear when an employee is unhappy about being managed. But under Australian law, there’s a clear and important line between genuine workplace bullying and a manager simply doing their job. That line is...
by Paulette | May 16, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Our Services, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation
We are living through one of the more challenging economic periods in recent memory. Interest rates, housing costs, grocery bills, fuel — it’s all adding up for your employees. And while you might be feeling the pressure on your own bottom line, it’s worth...
by Paulette | May 4, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Solutions, Informational Snip bits, Small business, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation
In today’s environment, many employees are navigating more than just the demands of their role. Rising living costs, housing uncertainty, caring responsibilities, and financial pressure are becoming part of everyday life, and they don’t switch off when someone walks...
by Paulette | Apr 30, 2026 | 12 Basics of HR, Employee Termination Procedure, Employment Relations, HR Expert, HR Solutions
How to Handle Employee Discipline the Right Way in Your Small Business Dealing with employee issues is part of running any business, but it’s rarely the part owners enjoy. Whether it’s ongoing lateness, inappropriate behaviour, or a serious breach of policy, how you...
by Paulette | Apr 28, 2026 | Employing People, Employment Relations, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Small Business HR, Step by Steps
Two recent Fair Work Commission decisions show that section 65 flexible work disputes are now being decided on two different fronts. The first is the gateway question: was there a valid written request under section 65 at all? The second is the merits question: if the...
by Paulette | Apr 20, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Informational Snip bits, Recruitment, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation
There is a noticeable shift happening in recruitment conversations right now, and small businesses are feeling it first. For years, the focus was on attracting talent through flexibility, perks and purpose. Those factors still matter. But increasingly, business...
by Paulette | Apr 10, 2026 | Employing People, Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Solutions, Informational Snip bits
In 2026, understanding annual leave is no longer just about entitlements or compliance; it’s about people. We are living in a time where the world feels heavier. Between rising cost-of-living pressures, constant exposure to global events, and ongoing uncertainty, many...
by Paulette | Apr 9, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation
In today’s always-on work culture, stepping away from your job can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. However, understanding annual leave is crucial for both employees and business owners who want to sustain long-term productivity, mental well-being, and...
by Paulette | Mar 24, 2026 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Offers and Packages, Our Services
The human resources function has always been the backbone of a successful business — but in today’s fast-moving, digitally connected world, it no longer needs to sit within four office walls. Virtual HR has evolved from a cost-saving alternative into a strategic,...
by Paulette | Jun 13, 2025 | Building A Workforce, Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Performance Improvement, Performance Management, Small business, Small Business HR, Workplace Articles
Grab a cuppa and let’s chat. The other day, I walked into an office and felt it straight away – a heavy, negative vibe hanging in the air. You know the feeling: colleagues avoiding eye contact, little huddles of whispered complaints by the coffee machine, and a...
by Paulette | May 31, 2025 | 12 Basics of HR, Employment Relations, Fair Work Ombudsman News, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Informational Snip bits, Legislation Updates, New Laws New Risks, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation
A new workplace law gives many employees the “right to disconnect” from work outside their normal hours. For small businesses (fewer than 15 employees), this change takes effect on 26 August 2025. In plain terms, your staff will have the right to ignore work-related...
by Paulette | May 29, 2025 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Small business, Small Business HR, Workplace health and Safety
Your Staff Think 60,000 Thoughts a Day—Are They Helping or Hurting Your Workplace? Did you know the average person has over 60,000 thoughts every single day? That’s about one thought per second while awake—and over 90% of those are repetitive. Even more concerning,...
by Paulette | May 1, 2025 | Employee Termination Procedure, Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Managing And Terminating, Managing Employee Terminations, payout for unfair dismissal, Small business, Small Business HR, Unfair Dismissal Claims
Avoiding Unfair Dismissal Claims: A Guide for Small Business Owners In the 2023–24 financial year, the Fair Work Commission received nearly 15,000 unfair dismissal applications—an increase of over 30% from the previous year. This upward trend highlights the importance...
