In many ways, the client experience starts well before any formal advice is given—shaped by the way a business communicates, responds and supports people day-to-day. Sienna Ahern, our Reception & Administration Support, plays a key role in...
People.
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Introducing Shae Holman – Head of Employee & Industrial Relations
As the employment law landscape continues to evolve, businesses are increasingly needing advice that is not only technically sound, but clear, practical and easy to apply. Shae Holman, Focus HR’s Head of Employee & Industrial Relations, brings...
Introducing Karla Barrett – Head of HR – Advisory Services
In today’s environment, HR advice needs to be more than technically correct - it needs to be practical, timely and grounded in the realities of running a business. Karla Barrett, Focus HR’s Head of HR - Advisory Services, brings a perspective...
Starting strong: helping new hires understand your team from day one.
We recently welcomed three new team members to Focus HR. Like most organisations, our onboarding includes introducing our new colleagues to our systems, processes, and the work we do. But we also like to do something a little different - spending...
The Honeymoon Period: Why New Employees Often Experience a Rollercoaster in Their First Weeks
Starting a new role is exciting. There’s fresh energy, new relationships and the sense of possibility that comes with a new opportunity. But what many employers don’t realise is that the first 6–8 weeks of a new job can feel like an emotional...
Most teams have goals. But do they agree how they work together?
Most teams have goals, deadlines and reporting lines. But far fewer teams take the time to define how they want to work together. A Team Charter is a simple but powerful way of setting out the shared expectations for how a team operates: how people...
When Dismissal and Mental Health Collide: What Employers Need to Know
Managing underperformance is never easy but it becomes significantly more complex when mental health issues are part of the picture. Two Fair Work Commission (FWC) cases from last year highlight the growing legal and practical risks for employers...
Psychosocial risk hides in culture – are you listening for the signs?
Workplace culture isn’t defined by values on a wall or policies on a shared drive. It’s shaped by how people actually experience work - day to day, team to team, leader to leader. Those lived experiences are also where psychosocial risks either...
Which DiSC personality is most common? The case of the disappearing yellow stickers!
DiSC is one of the most powerful tools we use with teams because it gives people a shared, practical language to talk about behaviour. Rather than labelling people as “difficult”, “quiet”, or “too detailed”, DiSC helps teams understand why people...
Probation isn’t a checkbox – it’s where performance and culture begin
Probation periods often get treated as a box to tick: contracts signed, forms completed, review done. But when handled well, probation can be one of the most powerful tools you have to build strong performance and a positive workplace culture....
Can You Ask Employees to Work Over Christmas?
What employers need to know this festive season As we head into the silly season, many businesses juggle a familiar mix: staff availability and public holiday entitlements. A recent Federal Court case has put Christmas rostering back in the...
4 Common Questions Employers Ask About Unpaid Leave
Handling unpaid leave requests can be tricky. On one hand, you want to be fair and flexible. On the other, you still need to keep the business running smoothly, and when decisions feel inconsistent or unclear, things can escalate fast. A recent...
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