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 | 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 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 | Jul 12, 2025 | HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Offers and Packages, Small Business HR, workplace policies and procedures
Why Every Small Business Needs Comprehensive Employee Policies and Procedures Does the phrase “human resources policies and procedures” make you groan? If you’ve been focused on growing your business, you might feel you haven’t had time to create formal...
by Paulette | Jun 17, 2025 | Building A Workforce, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Small business, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation, Workplace Articles
Determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor can be tricky for small business owners. Making the right call is crucial – it affects pay, superannuation, leave, taxes, and legal obligations. Simply calling someone a contractor or having...
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 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 19, 2025 | Employee Termination Procedure, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Managing And Terminating, Managing Employee Terminations, Performance Management, Small Business HR
Dismissal is a last resort in a small business. If done hastily or without fairness, firing someone can backfire, leading to an unfair dismissal claim and a costly payout. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) requires employers to have both a valid reason and a fair process...
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...
by Paulette | Apr 25, 2025 | 12 Basics of HR, Employment Relations, Fair Work Ombudsman News, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Managing And Terminating, Offers and Packages, Small business, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation, Unfair Dismissal Claims, Workplace Articles
by Paulette | Apr 21, 2025 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Offers and Packages, Small business, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation, Workplace Articles
Accurate employment record-keeping has always been a legal necessity—but in 2025, it’s firmly in the spotlight. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has launched a nationwide blitz, targeting businesses that fall short of their record-keeping obligations. For small business...
by Paulette | Jan 28, 2025 | Employment Relations, HR Consultant, HR Expert, HR Solutions, Human Resource, Informational Snip bits, Offers and Packages, Small business, Small Business HR, Topics of Conversation, Workplace Articles
In many small businesses, the founder’s passion and drive form the organisation’s backbone. However, this close involvement can sometimes become a double-edged sword, particularly when the business owner exhibits toxic behaviours that undermine the team and...
by Paulette | Jan 20, 2025 | HR Consultant, Human Resource, Recruitment, Small business, Small Business HR
Recruitment and Selection Part 3: Crunch Time: Interviewing and Choosing Interviewing candidates can be stressful for both you and the interviewee. The key to success for both of you is good preparation. You need to have: Interview questions written down and copied...
