by Paulette | Sep 14, 2026 | HR Solutions, Small Business HR
I have had four conversations in the last fortnight that started almost the same way. Different industries, different-sized teams, same opening line: “I think I might have to let someone go.” And in every one of them, what came next was not a plan. It was...
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 12, 2026 | HR Musings, HR Solutions
AI in HR: A Helpful Tool, Not a Replacement for People By Paulette McCormack | Fresh HR Insights I’ve been thinking a lot about artificial intelligence lately, and not in the “the robots are coming for our jobs” way that fills the headlines. The question that...
by Paulette | Jun 8, 2026 | HR Solutions, Small Business HR
AI Might Change HR – But It Won’t Replace Human Connection Written by Paulette McCormack, CAHRI — 20+ years in HR, founder of Fresh HR Insights, lecturer/Tutor inER/HR at Griffith University. Over the past year, I’ve had countless conversations with...
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 admin2022 | May 25, 2026 | Absenteeism in Your Business, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Small business, Small Business HR, Unfair Dismissal Claims
When They Don’t Show Up: Managing Employee Absence in 2026 Your most reliable employee hasn’t turned up. No call. No text. No explanation. What do you do next? Managing employee absence – If you’ve ever sat at your desk watching the clock tick...
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 admin2022 | May 14, 2026 | Employing People, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Offers and Packages, Small Business HR, workplace policies and procedures
Workplace Policies and Procedures: Why Your Small Business Can’t Afford to Wing It in 2026 (and Why ChatGPT Won’t Save You) Most small business owners don’t think about workplace policies and procedures until something goes wrong. It’s the...
by Paulette | May 11, 2026 | HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Managing And Terminating, Step by Steps
Right now, a lot of small business owners are having very hard conversations. Rising costs. Slower sales. Tighter margins. Sometimes the numbers just don’t add up anymore, and a decision has to be made about the team’s size. Redundancy is one of the most...
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 23, 2026 | HR Solutions, New Laws New Risks, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation, Workplace health and Safety
28 April is fast approaching—and with it, a growing focus on one of the most critical workplace risks today: psychosocial harm. Regulators across Australia are increasing scrutiny on how organisations manage hazards such as: High job demands Poor role clarity...
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 | HR Expert, HR Solutions, Informational Snip bits, Small Business HR, Virtual HR
Employee engagement remains one of the most critical drivers of business success, but in 2026, the concept has evolved far beyond traditional office-based practices. With hybrid work models now the norm, organisations must rethink how they foster connection,...
