What are Employee Assistance Programs, and Does My Business Need One?

Employee well-being has become a prominent topic of discussion in the world of human resources, particularly in a post-COVID landscape. In our People Pathway, well-being is a point of significant interest in the journey an employee goes on throughout their time with an organisation.

As employers, whether that’s in a small to medium business or a larger corporate environment, understanding employee well-being is critical to ensuring a safe and effective workplace culture.

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to set the standard when it comes to the well-being of our teams.

The Idea of Employee Wellbeing

At first glance, 'employee wellbeing' might seem like a vast and daunting concept for small and medium-sized businesses. Is it even relevant for small businesses?

It's essential to recognise that well-being encompasses physical, mental, and emotional facets. Yes, it's...

Positive Duty Laws under the Sex Discrimination Act

The recently published Positive Duty guidelines from the Australian Human Rights Commission have been developed to help organisations and businesses eliminate unlawful behaviour as much as possible in their workplaces.

In late 2022, the Respect Work Act was passed into law, marking a significant legislative change in Australia's industrial relations landscape. As part of this comprehensive legislation, a new legal framework was introduced, referred to as 'positive duty.'

This framework places an onus on employers to take reasonable steps to eliminate sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination within their workplaces under the Sex Discrimination Act.

The fundamental shift is that it's no longer adequate for employers to react to complaints as they arise. Instead, they now have a proactive obligation to implement measures that prevent these issues from happening in the first...

Leading a team is like a dance.

One of the key steps to the leadership dance is finding the sweet spot between being liked by your team and being respected by them.

It’s critical for leaders at any level to consider the balancing act of respectability versus likeability when it comes to their team, as one or the other could emerge more dominantly. Still, great leaders require harmony between these two aspects of themselves.

Respect is the cornerstone of a high-performing, reliable, and motivated team. Likeability is also essential for building rapport, but sometimes leaders can mistake being liked for being respected, and that’s not always the case.

Why Are We So Focused on Our People 'Liking' Us?

It's not uncommon for leaders, especially those in small businesses, to desire to be liked by their team. Sometimes, the mental game of being the boss is overwhelming, confusing and just plain complicated. The yearning for camaraderie, bonding and that sense of belonging...

Navigating Uncharted Waters

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation so uncomfortable and challenging that it haunted your thoughts for years? It may have left you questioning your leadership abilities and replaying the scenario in your mind, wondering what you could have done differently.

13 years ago, I had a difficult conversation that forever changed my approach to communicating with my team. This conversation taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, difficult conversations, and the courage to lead confidently.

Picture this: It was an ordinary Friday afternoon – when I should have been home with my baby. Instead, I was at the office, facing a situation that would shake me to my core. I was leading a growing team, and on that Friday, I was about to have one of the most challenging conversations of my professional life.

Little did I know that this encounter would become a cornerstone in my journey as a business leader.

The...

The unavoidable truth about difficult conversations

Mastering difficult conversations at work is an invaluable skill – especially for leaders – but do you know the ten most common types of difficult conversations?

While difficult conversations about performance management are definitely one of the most common types of difficult conversations we see in workplaces, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

Business owners and leaders will encounter a wide range of challenging conversations with their teams, and knowing how to approach and navigate these difficult conversations is an invaluable skill.

So, while performance dramas are undoubtedly a significant part of the landscape regarding difficult discussions, it's a mistake to believe that these are the only challenging conversations you'll have as a leader in business.

The 10 Types of Difficult Conversations at Work

There are many reasons why avoiding difficult...

Policies that support your business and team

If you run a business or an organisation, the Code of Conduct is one policy you want to invest in.

Creating policies for your business might not be the most exciting task, we get it – but some guidelines are essential, and this is one of them.

Having a code underpins and informs almost everything your business does, from communication best practices to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. In this blog post, we explore what a Code of Conduct is, where and why it's useful, and how it can significantly benefit your business.

What is a Code of Conduct?

A Code of Conduct is a formal document that outlines the guiding principles, standards, and behavioural expectations for all team members within your organisation. It serves as a set of rules and guidelines that govern interactions, communications, and behaviour...

Understanding changes to the parental leave pay scheme as an employer

If you run a business with staff,  keeping up with compliance is one of the most important things to be on top of.

The Parental Leave Pay scheme is a significant pillar of support for families. The recent changes represent a step toward greater flexibility and inclusivity, recognising the diverse dynamics of modern families.

To ensure you stay up to date with current changes to compliance, we’re covering the recent changes to the Parental Leave Pay Scheme. If you have team members who have recently had a child or adopted a child, or you have team members who will be going through that process in the future, the details we cover below will be beneficial.

What is the parental leave pay scheme?   

The Parental Leave Pay Scheme can be a bit confusing for the uninitiated, primarily because even though it has the word ‘leave’ in the name, it’s not actually a type of leave....

What is micromanagement at work?

Micromanagement at work refers to a management style that is typically excessive and controlling and usually exercised by a supervisor or manager. This management style focuses heavily on task-specific elements while often neglecting the bigger picture, such as overall outcomes, staff development, and collaborative teamwork.

Micromanagement can impede team efficiency and arise from several underlying factors. These factors usually encompass a lack of confidence in team members' competencies, a tendency to seek control due to apprehension or self-doubt, and a need to maintain close oversight to ensure tasks meet personal expectations.

Micromanagement frequently emerges when leaders encounter challenges in effectively delegating tasks, motivating their team, and fostering a culture of accountability. Although the motivations behind micromanagement might be rooted in aspirations for success, the approach inadvertently restricts autonomy, stifles...

Building Self-Awareness for Effective Leadership: We can't change what we're not aware of

How self-aware are you as a leader?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were oblivious to a particular issue until someone brought it to your attention?

Like the moment you become aware of a stain on your shirt? Or food stuck in your teeth after a meal? Things that you weren’t aware of until someone brought it to your attention or you noticed it.

In these situations, you likely immediately took action to rectify the problem once you became aware.

In leadership, it can take us a little longer to develop this kind of awareness – and even if we are aware, the necessary action isn’t always clear.

As writer, tech executive, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg says, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”

In leadership, just as in life, we cannot change what we are unaware of.

Once we become aware,...

Boss Guilt: What it is and how to break free as a leader            

Are you a leader who feels like you can never get on top of things?

As the boss of my own business, I know firsthand what it’s like to burn the candle at both ends – and still feel guilty that you’re not getting enough done.

The other night I was exhausted.

I’ve been working long days. Not many breaks. Balancing the fine art of family alongside the demands of my business. I kept finding myself at my desk thinking, “If I just get this one thing done”, or “I’ll just do this one more thing before I take a break.”

And I caught myself.

This way of thinking signals the slippery slope of boss guilt.

What exactly is boss guilt?

The type of boss guilt I’m talking about is that feeling that you’re lacking, that you’re not doing enough, or being enough.

This kind of boss guilt...