INSPIRATION.
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The Beginning of the End for Junior Rates
Employees aged 18, 19 or 20 working in the retail and fast-food industries may currently be paid a minimum award rate equivalent to 70%, 80% or 90% of the applicable adult minimum award rate. On 31 March 2026, the Fair Work Commission (FWC)...
Stop Asking Ai for Answers. Let It Ask You the Questions.
The most useful Ai prompt I use came from a book I read last year, Geoff Woods’ The AI-Driven Leader: Interview me, one question at a time, to extract everything I know about [x] subject before helping me condense and make sense of it all. That...
Thinking About Redundancies? Here’s What Every Employer Should Know
Over the past few months, our team at Focus HR has seen a noticeable increase in enquiries relating to redundancies. Rising operating costs, changing market conditions, reduced workloads and business restructures are leading many employers to...
73% of workplace psychological injury claims are linked to issues leaders influence every day.
One statistic recently stopped me in my tracks. The median time away from work for a serious mental health workers' compensation claim in Australia is now 35.7 working weeks. That's almost nine months away from work. As someone who works with...
Returning to Work After Illness or Injury: Understanding Employer and Employee Responsibilities
When an employee experiences illness or injury, returning to work can be a significant transition for both the employee and the employer. Whether the illness or injury occurred at work or outside of work, a successful return to work process...
Hazing? A thing of the past and a valid reason for dismissal according to the FWC
In a recent application made to the Fair Work Commission, Deputy President Clancy made scathing remarks about a workplace culture which should serve as a stark reminder that old school workplace culture is no longer acceptable. Recently, the Fair...
Leadership and Friendship: Can you really be both?
This topic came up recently in one of our leadership programs, and it sparked a really honest discussion. Several participants were struggling with the same challenge: “How do I lead people who are also my friends?” It’s such a common leadership...
IR Alert | Fair Work Commission Delivers Significant Minimum Wage Increase for 2026–27
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its Annual Wage Review decision, confirming significant increases to both the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages from 1 July 2026. The decision will affect millions of Australian workers and...
IR Unpacked Event: Your Invitation to Learn What Employers Need to Know
Over the past 12 months, the industrial relations landscape hasn’t just shifted—it’s accelerated. We’re seeing more claims, broader interpretations of employee rights, and growing uncertainty among employers about where the line actually sits. For...
From Global Conflict to Local Cost Pressures: The Legal Shift in Transport Pricing
Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has seen up oil prices escalate around the world. In Australia, the impact was felt straight away. Diesel and petrol prices jumped, which hit anyone relying on transport across all industries within Australia. To...
Navigating Uncertainty: Supporting Your People Through Job Loss Anxiety
Right now, many Australian workers are feeling a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. Recent data shows a noticeable drop in consumer confidence, alongside a rise in concerns about job security. Even in businesses that are stable and...
What happens when leaders have space to think
Recently, I had the pleasure of working one-on-one with a leader in our Leadership Coaching Program. Over a period of 6 months, we explored DiSC in detail, talked through challenges, and worked through tools, tips and approaches to use in different...
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