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Let’s clear up one of the biggest workplace myths: HR is not your friend. And that’s not because they’re bad people or secretly plotting against you — it’s because their job  isn’t what many employees think it is. Here’s the nudge you need to rethink how you engage with HR and protect your career. 1. HR Works for the Business; Not the Employees HR’s primary responsibility is risk management. That means: • Protecting the company from legal issues • Managing compliance • Ensuri

In Australia, employers can  ask you to work overtime, but only if the request is reasonable . If it’s not? You can legally refuse. The Fair Work Act (s. 62) sets out specific factors that decide whether overtime is reasonable or unreasonable . ✅ When overtime IS unreasonable An overtime request becomes unreasonable  when any of the following apply: 1. You’re already working excessive hours If your regular hours + the extra overtime push you into unsafe or unmanageable territ

Many employees reach the point where they must decide: take your long service leave  (i.e., take the time off) or accept a payout  of your accrued long service leave when employment ends. The decision isn’t just about time off versus cash — it also affects accrual of benefits (including superannuation), continuity of service, and how the law treats you. This article breaks down key considerations, especially how leave and super accrue (or don’t) in each scenario, and how the

Understanding your rights could change the power dynamic at work. In Australian workplaces, knowledge is power — and nowhere is that truer than when it comes to Fair Work laws. These laws, set out by the Fair Work Act 2009 , exist to protect employees from exploitation, ensure fair pay and conditions, and hold employers accountable for ethical and legal conduct. But not every boss is eager for their team to know these rules — and that’s often where mistreatment begins. 1. Whe

In every workplace, things go wrong, equipment breaks, emails get mis-sent, tensions flare, or someone crosses a line. But here’s the part most people don’t talk about: not all incidents are created equal . Understanding the difference between a genuine accident and behaviour driven by malicious intent is the backbone of a fair, safe and psychologically healthy workplace. And yet, many employees don’t know how these situations are assessed… and many managers get it wrong. Let

When you drop your child off at daycare, you’re putting an enormous amount of trust in the people running that centre. And while Australia does  have systems to screen and monitor childcare workers, the truth is… it hasn’t always been as tight or consistent as parents assume. Right now, the way we track criminal history in the early childhood sector is a patchwork, improving, but still full of gaps. Here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes, and how new reforms are aimi

Unlimited PTO sounds like the dream, right? Take what you need, when you need it. No tracking. No limits. A workplace paradise. But behind the shiny HR branding, there are some very real ethical concerns employers don’t always disclose. Here’s what’s actually going on beneath the surface. 1. 💰  Employers Avoid Paying Out Leave Balances In Australia, annual leave is a protected entitlement . When you quit or are terminated, your employer must pay out  your unused leave balanc

What employers cannot ask and why Australian employers must comply with Fair Work , privacy laws , and state/territory anti-discrimination legislation . That means any question that has no legitimate job-related purpose AND touches on a protected attribute or personal privacy is off-limits. ❌  1. Questions About Protected Attributes Under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, employers cannot ask questions that reveal or pressure a candidate to reveal protected characte

There’s a trend making noise on LinkedIn: women switching their gender to “male” and suddenly getting massive spikes in reach . We’re talking 300–400% jumps in views. Wild, right? But here’s the real story behind the headlines. What’s Actually Going On A few women ran the experiment. They changed their listed gender… and boom, big engagement jumps. LinkedIn says gender isn’t  used in the algorithm. So why the boost? Theories: • Tone shift:  Some switched to more direct, “masc

Companies love an exit interview. A neat little meeting at the end, a final HR box ticked, and apparently a chance to “learn” why someone is walking out the door. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if the first time you’re asking about culture is when someone is quitting… you’re already too late. 1. People Don’t Tell the Full Truth on Their Way Out By the time an employee resigns, the psychological contract is broken. Many won’t burn bridges. They’ll soften, sugarcoat or sta

If you’ve ever wondered why some people thrive in buzzing open-plan offices while others prefer hiding behind noise-cancelling headphones, it’s not random, it’s personality. And no, not the horoscope kind. We’re talking introverts , extroverts  and the often misunderstood middle child: the “otrovert”  (a casual word people use, but the real psychology term is ambivert ). Understanding which one you are isn’t just self-awareness. It’s a career strategy. Here’s how each persona

1. Always say yes — never skip the opportunity Saying “No, I think that’s everything”  can come across as disinterest. Even one thoughtful question shows curiosity, preparation, and engagement with the role and company. 2. Ask questions that show insight, not just curiosity Instead of generic questions like “What’s the company culture like?” , go deeper. For example: “How does your team define success in this role over the first six months?” “What does collaboration look like

Over recent years, there has been a notable movement of people departing traditional corporate 9-to-5 roles in favour of freelance or self-employed ways of working. According to research from Upwork, for example, 38 % of the U.S. workforce (about 64 million Americans) did freelance work in 2023.   Among those, younger workers are especially likely to choose freelancing: more than half of Gen Z professionals surveyed reported freelancing, compared to lower shares of older gene

In a landmark move, Australia has passed new legislation, known as Baby Priya’s Law , ensuring parents who experience the tragedy of stillbirth or early infant death are protected from having their paid parental leave cancelled. The amendment to the Fair Work Act 2009  closes a painful gap in Australia’s workplace laws, bringing compassion, dignity, and fairness to grieving parents who were previously at risk of losing vital financial and emotional support during one of life’

Starting 1 July 2026 , Australian employers will be required to pay superannuation contributions on payday , rather than quarterly. The reform — known as “Payday Super”  — is designed to make super contributions more timely, transparent, and fair for workers across the country. Why the Change? Under current laws, employers can wait up to three months before transferring superannuation to employees’ funds. This lag has led to billions in unpaid or delayed super payments, leavi

When it comes to job interviews, your outfit does more than just make you look good, it speaks volumes about your professionalism, confidence, and understanding of the role. While skills and experience are what ultimately land you the job, the way you present yourself can influence how you’re perceived long before you even say hello. Here’s why dressing for the job you’re interviewing for truly matters: 1. First Impressions Are Powerful It takes only a few seconds for someone

Landing a job offer can feel exciting, but before you say “yes,” it’s worth asking: What’s the culture really like? Workplace culture can make or break your job satisfaction. A company might have great pay or perks, but if the environment doesn’t align with your values or working style, you could quickly find yourself disengaged or burnt out. Here’s how to read between the lines and spot the real culture before you commit. 1. Look beyond the job a d Job ads often use buzzword

Australia’s workplace laws have undergone major reform over the past two years, and one of the most significant updates is the new rules around fixed-term employment contracts . These rules, introduced under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 , came into effect on 6 December 2023 and they continue to shape how employers and employees approach short-term work in 2025. 🔒  Why the change? The aim of these reforms is to provide more job secur

1. Reconnect with your “why.” Remind yourself why you chose your path in the first place. Your purpose is more stable than the ups and downs of progress. 2. Focus on small, controllable steps. Anxiety often comes from trying to predict the future. Instead, set one clear, manageable goal for the day, like updating your resume, networking with one person, or refining a skill. 3. Celebrate small wins. Success isn’t always a promotion or a title. Acknowledge progress, learning so

Australia’s Fair Work Commission is reviewing the long-standing system of junior pay rates and the potential changes could reshape how workers under 21 are paid. For many young Australians, that’s big news. Whether you’re a student in your first job or an employer managing a youth workforce, understanding how pay differs between age groups and why is essential. What Are “Junior Rates”? Under Australia’s national workplace system, anyone under 21 years old  is classified as a