HR Articles
Resources and updates for businesses
Stress Leave After a Performance Talk: What Owners Can Do
BACKED INTO A CORNER SERIES | No. 2 The Certificate That Arrives the Day After a Performance Talk When you raise performance and stress leave follows: what the Fair Work Act...
Individual Flexibility Arrangement : A $1.4M Lesson for SMEs
The Individual Flexibility Agreement That Cost $1.4 Million I'll admit my first reaction to this one was a quiet "that's a big organisation; it's not one of my clients". Then I...
When One Employee Runs Your Business: What You Can Do
BACKED INTO A CORNER SERIES | No. 1 The One Who Runs the Place When your most experienced employee decides the rules are optional, and you feel like the Fair Work Act is on...
Can I Just Reduce Their Hours? The Honest Answer for Small Business Owners
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...
Psychosocial Hazards: What Every Small Business Must Know
A Policy in a Folder Doesn't Cut It Anymore Prepared for Paulette McCormack, Fresh HR Insights | 21 September 2026A Policy in a Folder Doesn't Cut It Anymore A client asked me...
Reducing Staff Costs: What to Do Before You Cut
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...
Non-Compete Clauses Are Being Banned, Are You Ready?
Small business owner reviewing an employment contract ahead of Australia’s non-compete clause ban
When Business Gets Tough, Keeping Your Team Together | Fresh HR Insights
Payday Super Has Landed, and Most Small Businesses Are Not Ready
Payday Super Has Landed, and Most Small Businesses Are Not Ready If you employ people in Australia, three significant workplace changes took effect from 1 July 2026, and the one...
Performance Management When Stress Leave Is a Risk
“I Need to start Performance Management — But I'm Worried They'll Go Off With Stress” A small business guide to performance managing fairly when you're worried about a stress...
Long-Term Sick Leave & Return to Work: Employer FAQ
Long-Term Sick Leave and Return to Work: Your Questions Answered What a 2026 Fair Work decision means for small and medium businesses One of the situations we get asked about...
The Five Culture Moves I’d Make First in a Small Business
ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE | FRESH HR INSIGHTS The Five Culture Moves I'd Make First in a Small Business And an honest word on why none of them works overnight By Paulette...
