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CommunicationEmployee RelationshipsEmployment Law

On the Radar for 2023

December 15, 2022

By Kerrie Briggs | Senior HR Consultant

We are on the home straight to Christmas, a perfect time to share what’s on the Radar for 2023.

INTRODUCTION of Family and Domestic Violence Leave

In July this year, the Federal Government introduced a bill to create a universal (meaning for all employees) entitlement to 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave (FDVL) into the National Employment Standards (NES). The new paid leave entitlement will be available to all employees from  1 February 2023. For employees of small business employers (employers with less than 15 employees), the leave will be available from 01 August 2023.

 

NO MORE pay secrecy clauses

The Government has introduced changes to pay secrecy clauses. The intent behind this change is to promote transparency and encourage gender equality in pay.

All employees now have a right to ask other employees about their rates of pay. This now constitutes a workplace right (protected by the General Protections provisions of the Fair Work Act) under the reforms. This means that employers cannot take ‘adverse action’ against an employee if they ask another employee about their pay or share their own remuneration details with others.

In June 2023 (six months after the Bill passes), it will also become an offence for an employer to enter into a contract with an employee that contains a pay secrecy clause. The penalty is up to $63,000 for an employer.

 

CHANGES to Sexual Harassment

In September this year an amendment to the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 was proposed with seven legislative changes recommended. These new changes include “a positive duty” on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, offences for having a “hostile workplace” and powers for the Human Rights Commission to investigate and issue compliance notices on business.

We anticipate seeing more refined information being released early next year and the steps that employers must take to ensure they are compliant with these new legislative changes.

 

NO END to the Hybrid Work Models

2022 has bought up challenges for many employers in relation to both managing labour shortages and the continued war for talent.  While many businesses have begun to adopt more flexible work arrangements off the back of the pandemic, these have still largely been finite arrangements.  We expect to see more around businesses investigating and adopting Hybrid working models in 2023. These may include broader work from home arrangements, compressed working week, the 4-day working model, job sharing and flexible working hours. This is a definite – Watch This Space!

 

EMPHASIS on Employee Well-being

This has been a front and centre topic and will continue to be a key focus for businesses moving into 2023.

The focus of employee wellbeing has broadened greatly over the last several years and the shift has seen employee well-being moving from a simple topic for employers – to an all-encompassing overarching embrace across all areas of the business and businesses will need to take the time to understand what this truly means. It is never a one size fits all approach and we believe conversations are key in unpacking this fundamental topic.

 

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CommunicationLeadershipWH&S

Christmas Party- Do I really have to consider safety at an offsite event?

October 24, 2022

By Kerrie Briggs | Senior HR Consultant

It is only 9 weeks until Christmas which no doubt means you are in the lead up to your festive event to close out the year.

Although these events are a great way for employees to take part in the festivities and for everyone to relax and be merry, they’re still work functions where they are organised and paid for by the employer.  Therefore, the employer must still exercise a duty of care to manage any associated health and safety risks that may arise.

I know, I know, I can hear the sighs already… “Here come the fun police!!”

Having fun is important but it is also important to keep in mind that work endorsed parties, even away from the normal work location are still considered a work event and obligations do exist for staff and Directors around workplace health and safety.

The expectation surrounding staff behaviour and conduct does not change at a work function. Workplace harassment, bullying and even violence are serious issues and losing inhibitions after a little too much cheer is no excuse.

Outlined below, are considerations that may assist you to ensure you have a fun end of year event, while avoiding issues that can potentially have serious consequences if neglected.

 

  1. Assess the risk

 This comes in two steps:

    • Ahead of the Christmas party consider documenting a WHS risk assessment that identifies all foreseeable health and safety hazards and their defined control/s. This would include an inspection of the site prior to the event.
      • During a site inspection ensure that you speak to management at the venue to ensure Responsible Service of Alcohol and establish your own expectations of overly intoxicated people not being served anymore alcohol.
      • Nominate a contact person/people for the venue to be able to contact to advise them of an intoxicated person or incident.
    • Review you HR policies and procedures. Well-written policies and procedures set the ground rules and company’s expectations on appropriate behaviour. This can be a good reminder prior to the Christmas party and if there happens to be an incident, the company will be better prepared. It also assists to remind staff of general expectations.

 

  1. Alcohol free event

Alcohol is not an obligatory requirement at any event.

Consider your team and your past experiences having end of year parties. Do you have any concerns about serving alcohol at a work event. If you have any concerns at all, consider having an event without alcohol. Perhaps a family event in a park is something that you feel more comfortable with for your business and your team.

 

  1. Start and finish times

Clearly set out defined start and finish times for the event and ensure that these are stated on the invitation.

Shut down the bar at the finish time and stop paying for any alcohol, even at an after event.

 

  1. How will employees travel?

Consider how employees will travel to and from the event? This can be as simple as encouraging employees to plan their travel ahead of time.

Choose a venue that does not place the employee in a difficult situation to get home, otherwise assist with transport options for employees.

You may have obligations with your workers compensation insurance for employees travelling to and from work, which will likely include the end of year function.

 

  1. Set expectations

An aptly worded email ahead of the Christmas Party reiterating the business’ expectations around appropriate standards of conduct and responsible drinking may serve as a timely reminder to employees that workplace policies still apply during these events and as such any misconduct will be dealt with accordingly.

Accompany this email with any relevant policies as noted above.

 

  1. Manage misconduct and complaints fairly

Even with the best planning, and all measures followed, incidents still happen.

Where alcohol is involved, behaviours are often affected but this does not release the business of their obligations to investigate and respond to complaints/ allegations. Be sure to hear any issues that arrive and respond with procedural fairness.

Be mindful that you may need to take action at the event immediately. Waiting to the New Year to handle a complaint may or may not be the correct course of action.

I know, the end of year party is supposed to be a fun and memorable event!  Implementing these safety measures will ensure that it is memorable for the right reasons.  After all, we all want to spend our festive holidays safe, happy, and healthy.

Happy celebrations!

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CommunicationMental Health

Employee burnout does not discriminate. 

April 4, 2022

By Kerrie Briggs | Senior HR Consultant

A HR publication, HR Daily,  released an article this month on the rise in burnout causing serious health issues in the workplace. In the first quarter of 2022 we have helped multiple businesses navigate this minefield.

The reality is that individuals and businesses have had to navigate very challenging times – from a pandemic that has resulted in ongoing changes within businesses and resourcing constraints as a result of a number of things from loss of work to dealing with staff impacted by the virus, to more recently – the floods which has devasted many homes and businesses.

The stress of dealing with how a business is impacted can sometimes mean our attention is elsewhere. These events alone are enough to test the most resilient of us however there is a need to make sure we are continually checking in on team members to understand how they are doing and what support they may need. When stress and emotions are heightened work that was perhaps manageable can become unmanageable and more difficult to navigate.

In some organisations more than 50% of employees will experience symptoms of burnout referring to emotional and intellectual exhaustion. Some typical factors that contribute to burnout in a work setting are lack of workplace culture, feeling undervalued, lack of community amongst colleagues, feeling disconnected from their work.

Burnout may lead to some very real health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety and insomnia. This may stem from a sense of feeling demotivated, not wanting to exercise, eat nutritious meals or take care of your own wellbeing. It can become just a fight to cope.

In May 2019 the World Health Organisation recognised burnout as a serious health problem and finally classified it as a mental condition. From an organisational perspective burnout can cost you dearly. Employees are more likely to take sick leave, or even look for another job increasing your turnover, recruitment costs, and reducing your revenue.

Burnout is simply a condition that no one is immune to.

So, what can a company do to help combat escalating cases of burnout?

  1.  Create a caring and supportive environment

Encourage staff to take regular breaks from their desk, to not take work home in the evenings and to approach their manager if they are feeling overwhelmed.  Promote a healthy work schedule, if as a manager you tend to work long days make sure your staff know that it’s ok for them to leave, burning the midnight oil on a regular basis is not productive for anyone.

  1. Open communication

Follow an open-door policy and schedule regular catch ups with your team members. Be honest and transparent and encourage communication about life rather than just work. Diving straight into task orientated conversations can leave an employee feeling more like a number and less like a person, which can overall instil heightened levels of pressure and disconnectedness.

  1. Consider your resources

Often dedicated employees work harder and harder, unwilling to turn down requests for help. Take time to review whether you are staffed correctly, would you benefit from an additional resource? Neglecting to resource correctly will leave employees picking up the slack and productivity taking a hit.

4.   Consider EAP

If you do not have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), consider researching these. Many EAP providers offer monthly wellbeing initiatives focussed on different factors such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep. They provide multiple tools including webinars, fact sheets and videos that can help employees refocus on wellbeing.

  1. Health Ambassador

If an EAP isn’t for you, or if you want to heighten your wellbeing initiatives consider a dedicated Health Ambassador. This person would be a volunteer within your organisation responsible for review wellbeing initiatives that could be incorporated each month, such as a lunch time walk club, yoga sessions, or a fruit box delivery. Small gestures that give wellbeing a place in your company culture.

Burnout will always exist but by following some of these simple guidelines it may help to prevent burnout within your team. The more you care for your employees, the more your employees will care for the company. After all an organisation is only as healthy as the people who work for it……

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