Sometimes it’s the little things that can undermine your authority as a leader or manager. This is particularly so if a team member behaves in a passive-aggressive manner. Passive-aggressive behaviour takes many forms but typical signs are: Frequent eye-rolling at meetings Non-compliance and ignoring instructions Silence or sulking when they are unhappy Refusing to make … Read more
When you are dealing with poor performance or difficult staff members, it’s easy to assume they don’t value hard work and don’t believe in the value of doing a job well. But in most cases, people want to feel they are making a contribution that’s recognised and appreciated. That’s where gratitude comes in. Global research consistently … Read more
For a few years now, there has been a lot of talk about developing a purpose-driven business. That may be OK for the “big end of town”, but is it really achievable for your average Australian SME? In the book Why Purpose Matters, 9 CEOs share their experiences on how “purpose” is improving employee motivation, … Read more
Occasionally you may come across a person who is loved by senior management but hated by subordinates. If this describes someone working in your business, you have a problem. In independent studies, researchers Tim Field and Dr Robert Hare found “serial bullies” share many of the same traits as psychopaths. A key indicator of these … Read more
The bottom line is: sexual harassment is unlawful and as an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure it doesn’t occur. The “Workplace” Isn’t Confined To Your Business Address! Sexual harassment isn’t confined to your business premises. It includes work-related events or interactions between employees outside of work. In addition, it includes contractors, casuals and clients … Read more
Nothing demolishes staff morale like the perception of an unfair pay system. This is particularly so when it comes to the annual pay review. If a business has done well over the previous 12 months, staff expect to be rewarded for their efforts. Research consistently finds giving staff pay increases are more powerful than a … Read more
It may surprise you to hear social media is not the number 1 way to waste time at work. According to research conducted for Seek, Australians participate in the following top 5 activities when they don’t want to work: No 5 – Take long breaks No 4 – Do nothing No 3 – Clean their … Read more
For most businesses, the focus of any Enterprise Agreement is to: Build certainty and transparency about employment terms and conditions Provide predictability for wage increases and labour costs With a change of perspective, it is possible to incorporate productivity gains into an Enterprise Agreement. Change your perspective Too often, employers focus on issues that are … Read more
It’s easy to assume staff who work longer hours are more loyal, engaged and productive. But studies conducted in both Australia and the US are disproving this myth. In fact, the research found encouraging staff to work the standard Award hours, can positively impact on the profitability of a business. Australian workers contributing $71.2 billion … Read more
Although it may seem there is a clear reason to terminate an employee, it’s not always the case. If an employee believes they have been unfairly dismissed by their employer, it’s up to the Fair Work Commission to decide if the termination was harsh, unjust or unreasonable. So what does unfair dismissal look like? Here … Read more