WorkplaceWizards in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia | Management Service

WorkplaceWizards

Locality: Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 458 644 469

Address: 143 Nelson Place 3016 Williamstown, VIC, Australia

Website: http://workplacewizards.com.au

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• Commercial and industrial
• Management Service
• Occupational safety and health service
• Labour & employment law solicitor

25.01.2022 #askthewiz Question 3: How can I reduce my employees hours when theyre receiving JobKeeper payments? Another key question asked in our Webinar. Elise and Susanna have answered it here. Where you dont have an agreement with employees to vary hours, you may reduce hours for employees receiving JobKeeper by directing them to stand down partially or fully. However, youll need to be wary of a few conditions weve explained in the video.... Let us know if you have another burning question youd like answered here! #hr #covid #employee #employeeexperience #hrprofessional #workplacewizards #launchlegal

25.01.2022 Are you looking for some tips to start the new financial year well? Were holding a webinar tomorrow at 12:30pm to discuss our suggested approach going forward. In the last few months, weve been resolving diverse workplace issues including... - employees refusing to come to work; - businesses having to change their operations; - standing down of employees; and - reduction of sales. Through this, our team has developed some great tips for businesses to meet their targets and start the new year well! Come join us tomorrow, our director Mark Ritchie will share these tips and answer your questions! Register here https://us02web.zoom.us//1315917/WN_-npK15IdQs6m4xEm6fhmXw #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether

25.01.2022 As offices begin to re-open and staff return to work, make sure you are following all the necessary COVID-safe requirements. Contact one of our workplace-relations experts to check you’ve ticked all the boxes. #12daysofriskmas #day1 #COVIDsaferequirements

24.01.2022 Every workplace needs a strong set of policies to set expectations and make sure staff and management are on the same page. But each workplace will have different policies depending on the way your business operates. How do you know what policies to include and enforce? We’ve worked with companies from all kinds of industries, and we know it’s not always ‘the more, the merrier’ when it comes to official policies. Instead, we recommend having a few simple, clear policies th...at are easy to understand communicate clearly to staff relevant to the work you do and the culture you want to build. Here are four types of company policies we think every business should be thinking about. And for help reviewing, writing or implementing your company policies, please get in touch! #companypolicy #staffcommunication

24.01.2022 Only a few spots left for our webinar at 12:30pm today. Book in to hear some great tips from our experienced consultants Nathaniel and Mark on how best to communicate with your staff about difficult topics such as: performance management; business changes; and... redundancies. Register https://www.workplacewizards.com.au/webinar-registration-2/ #workplacerelations #consulting #lunchandlearn #inittogether

24.01.2022 WEBINAR - NEGOTIATING EBAS Negotiating an EBA can be a daunting and complex task, especially in a pandemic. But, we have some surprisingly simple strategies that are necessary to ensure to plan for EBA negotiation success in the current climate, and we’re willing to share them with you in our next webinar on Thursday 19th November.... You’ll walk away knowing: How to make the legislative framework surrounding EBAs work to your advantage; The prep you need do NOW to save heartache later; How to smoothly organise a COVID safe staff vote; and Strategies for renegotiating pay rates that are so foolproof it even works during a pandemic and recession. We’ve learnt these strategies from years of negotiating EBAs in some of the toughest rooms in Australia - across health care, construction, landscaping and other industries with heavy union involvement. Bring your staff or your boss, and your toughest questions - our Founding Director Mark Ritchie with legally-trained Workplace Wizards consultant Michael Stafford will be guiding you through the hour. Register here to reserve your spot. See you on Thursday November 19! #EBAnegotiating #unions #strategy #consulting

24.01.2022 It's a new year and new staff may soon be needed. Are you making this key mistake when hiring new people? Stop limiting your search exclusively to people who fit your companies culture. Find out why in our article below https://bit.ly/39zp4b9

23.01.2022 Have you got staff working from home? Heres a helpful article from headspace outlining the benefits of flexibility and support for staff well-being when forced to work from home. Our approach was to dial down the pressure so that our people dont feel they have to be everything and do everything in this period of crisis. We wanted to empower them to say, its OK to be flexible and its OK to not be alright all of the time.... Definitely food for thought. It can be difficult to strike the balance between allowing flexibility and also managing high performance and motivation. Let us know your thoughts! #workplacewizards #launchlegal #workfromhome #inittogether

23.01.2022 If youve got a permit for your workers to be working in this time - here are some helpful fact sheets and resources from Safe Work Australia to help keep your workplace informed and safe. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting

23.01.2022 #NRW2021 starts today #MoreThanAWord, Reconciliation takes action so find out how you can add your voice to calls for greater action on #reconciliation here: Let your brave actions inspire brave actions in our #community and our community leaders so that we may create a better future for us all together.

23.01.2022 Compliance with your Award and EBA requirements for Christmas shutdowns can be tricky This blog will help you get started but reach out to a member of the team discuss what specifically applies to your situation. https://bit.ly/3mvpAfm

23.01.2022 Got your strategic planning all done for 2021 great, then you’ll feel like you’re...

22.01.2022 Treat your elf Get an external specialist to do your employee training in 2021 so you don’t have to do it! Call one of our workplace relations experts to book for 2021. #12daysofriskmas #day12 https://bit.ly/3g7Fb2k

22.01.2022 If you've got a permit for your workers to be working in this time - here are some helpful fact sheets and resources from Safe Work Australia to help keep your workplace informed and safe. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting

21.01.2022 This Christmas we would like to thank our loyal and amazing clients for the amazing partnership with us this year. We've seen so many business leaders adapt in a very impressive way to the changes of work environment with COVID and the associated restrictions, especially in Victoria. A special shout out to our aged care clients who have taken so many extra steps to keep their staff and residents safe at this time. We're right behind you/supporting you.

21.01.2022 ‘Surge capacity’ is a collection of adaptive systems mental and physical that humans draw on for short-term survival in acutely stressful situations, such as natural disasters. It's probably what you were drawing on if you felt a surge of energy or capability earlier this year as the pandemic set in. But now, our surge capacity has been depleted and without a break from the emergency phase, many of us have struggled.... Our director Susanna Ritchie found this great article online and wholeheartedly recommends it. It’s from a particularly high-achieving science journalist in the US who’s all of a sudden found herself to be struggling. (Or as she more scientifically put it, anxiety-tainted depression mixed with ennui that I can’t kick.) The piece is well worth a read, but this quote from a psychologist sums it up: This is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s expecting a lot to think we’d be managing this really well. At Workplace Wizards right now we’re just doing everything we can to support managers, businesses (and, in turn, employees) to know how best to navigate this, even if they’re feeling a little more drained than normal. We know it will all be worth it when we’re out the other side!

21.01.2022 Meet Nathaniel Ganeson, one of our Senior Consultants! Nathaniel gets great satisfaction from taking the stress away from our clients by helping them deal with performance management issues and processes. His direction, advice and assistance during their performance management processes has helped clients to focus on what they do best - and a number of clients have expressed that it’s a great weight off their shoulders to have Nathaniel manage their people issues.... I enjoy promptly responding to client issues and using my analytical and legal skills to provide practical solutions to complex people issues within the workplace, says Nathaniel.

21.01.2022 EBA variations during COVID-19? Its possible. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on businesses, you may be wondering what you can do about enterprise agreements negotiated pre-COVID. Most current agreements were made at a time when strict lockdowns and the impact these would have on businesses and individuals was inconceivable.... As a result, many businesses have found themselves struggling to meet the employment conditions under their existing enterprise agreement. Fortunately, for those hit most severely by this crisis (or any other unforeseen economic change which makes adhering to an existing agreement unviable), there is an avenue to amend or update current enterprise agreements to provide flexibility in the workplace and to protect you from economic armageddon. Michael has explained how you may vary your EBA in our latest blog. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #unionbargaining #wagerates #consulting

21.01.2022 With all the business COVID changes this week we understand if youre struggling to keep up! Employers are now having to follow regulatory changes extremely closely to keep their businesses compliant. Weve summarised two of the recent updates here being:... 1. the new JobKeeper extension; and 2. the mandatory COVID reporting. #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #inittogether #heretohelp #b2b

21.01.2022 August is National Tradies Health Month, and aims to focus on educating and engaging tradies on the importance of full body health and safety. Weve been supporting our construction clients through this period and assisting them ensure that they have safe practices especially in this new COVID environment. If youre a construction company, and need some assistance keeping your staff well and safe - please get in touch with one of our expert consultants. ... #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #nationaltradieshealthmonth #construction

20.01.2022 Want some free tips on negotiating enterprise bargaining agreements? We’re passionate about EBA negotiations and getting a fair deal for both sides. We've also got heaps of experience, and are more than happy to share some. The way we see it - the smoother negotiations go, the sooner both parties can get back to what they do best, and our nation keeps on running smoothly.... Last week we showed you how to plan for EBA negotiation success... And this week we’re excited to share with you this 'how to' guide which will take you step-by-step through the negotiation process - revealing how to get the best out of negotiations without the need for an expensive legal team. #EBA #EnterpriseBargainingAgreements #EnterpriseBargaining

20.01.2022 Here's your guide to navigate and investigate an issue in your workplace. These are the keys to a successful investigation directly from the experts who have done this countless times. For those thinking about hiring an external investigator (see our last post for why you should!) we are a team of professional, legally-trained experts in conducting investigations who focus on clear communication and an efficient process. Either way click the link below for the help you need... https://bit.ly/3isAeSV

19.01.2022 As businesses look to reboot for 2021 it's a great time to refresh your workforce. We're here to reduce the stress of hiring new staff. We've supported many managers through recruiting and seen the long term effects of both great and not so great employees. So here's what we'd suggest - ensure a good front end process to avoid the awkward and tricky back end process. We have a resource pack that will optimise your recruitment process and ensure you grow your business with th...e best people. https://bit.ly/35BFLkN

19.01.2022 Quick reminder, weve got a WEBINAR TODAY at 12:30, where our expert workplace relations consultants are sharing our top tips on improving productivity in the workplace! If youd like to join, register here to reserve your spot! https://lnkd.in/gBdKj4w... #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #yourquestionsanswered

19.01.2022 Your business may have good processes but are they down in writing? Having a solid set of policies and procedures is essential if you plan on growing your business. They make onboarding easier and allow everyone to be crystal clear on what’s required of them. The only trouble is, they're hard work to create. ... How many do you need? What makes a good policy document? But don’t worry Facebook friends, here’s the good news... We have a number of policies and procedures that you can buy as templates to save you time and ensure your policies cover all the main important areas. They’ve been created and checked over by legal professionals, so you can be sure they’re airtight, protecting both you and your employees. Read more and get the templates #companypolicies #humanresources #HRissues

19.01.2022 If youre considering directing employees to come back to work after a period of shut-down or work from home, you may like to check out Fair Works tips! Working out what to do in these unprecedented times is not easy - and youre not alone. Were also here to help with your workplace needs!... #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #consulting

18.01.2022 Flexible Work Requests Do I need to say yes? Your employees may have a right to apply for flexible working arrangements, but what does this mean for your business? Where can you reasonably ‘draw the line’ when it comes to sacrificing your business objectives to allow different working conditions for employees? We've answered this question in our blog below... #humanresources #business #workplacewizards

17.01.2022 Thanks for the shout out TennisGen Coaching, were really glad we could help! Navigating contracts and obligations can be hard for those in the sporting industry. It was a privilege to work with you Genevieve - and our team is excited to come and have a hit soon! #workplacewizards #happyclients #tenniscoaching

17.01.2022 Do you know what the JobKeeper extension period and changes mean for your business? We'll be exploring all you need to know at our webinar on Thursday at 12:30pm - bring all your questions! Register here to reserve your spot https://bit.ly/3b0clhN ... #lunchandlearn #webinar #jobkeeper #business #consulting #covid #workpalcewizards #launchlegal

17.01.2022 How are you maintaining a healthy and productive workplace environment with employees working from home? The Harvard Business Review found that great business leaders in the pandemic tend to: 1. know how to listen to employees needs; 2. know how to create and maintain community;... 3. respect the many roles employees fill; and 4. know how to trust their employees. From our experience supporting business leaders in the past few months, we tend to agree with the above. Weve found that an ability for managers to look at employees needs holistically is key to ensuring a healthy and productive workplace in these tricky times. For more of our tips on leading in a pandemic - see our blog here: https://www.workplacewizards.com.au/how-to-lead-and-commun/ #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether

17.01.2022 Performance management and dismissal meetings can be uncomfortable and risky. If you get it wrong, you risk aggrieved employees making claims of unfair dismissal, adverse action and workers’ compensation and risk bullying, harassment and discrimination claims. But these meetings can be fair and respectful for everybody involved. ... Our free downloadable how-to guide, How To Conduct Disciplinary Meetings And Performance Management’, will help you communicate any issues clearly and ensure all sides are crystal clear on what’s happening and what’s expected of them. Access our free guide (plus many others) on our website: https://www.workplacewizards.com.au//how-to-conduct-disci/

17.01.2022 Would you like some more skills to empower you to have those difficult conversations with staff? It can be difficult to explain and have those conversations about business change, performance management and redundancies. But we've done it many times before - and have some expert tips to share with you. In our webinar tomorrow, we'll share our top tips on how to communicate well to staff on: ... How the business is going Your current vision, goals and expectations Why certain roles are changing, no longer viable or being made redundant Performance, behaviours and improvement Bring along your questions, or even better let us know the difficult conversation you have coming up and we’ll (anonymously) give you some tips and tricks! #webinar #workplacewizards #consulting

17.01.2022 Heres a friendly reminder that in these uncertain times, you can reach out to our team here at Workplace Wizards to support you and your business. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #b2b

17.01.2022 R U OK? Today is R U OK day, and its a great reminder of what we should be doing all year - checking in on those around us. Here at Workplace Wizards we recognise it is so important to ask the question "are you okay?" even if a person seems okay or we feel like weve asked them lots of times before. Often, we also need to ask a few times before people feel comfortable to respond honestly.... By asking, we show we care, and give people an opportunity to talk. #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #ruok #mentalhealth #theresmoretosay

17.01.2022 Thursday, 19 November is International Men’s Day, an opportunity to celebrate men and boys in all their diversity. International Men’s Day seeks to address many different issues surrounding men’s mental health and is a day for conversation around manhood, masculinity and men’s issues. It’s supported by men, women and organisations in over 60 countries across the globe. ... So today, check in on your male friends and workmates, and lend an open ear if it’s needed. It’s healthy to talk about the issues we’re facing, even if we feel expected to ‘man up’. #TalkingAboutMen

17.01.2022 FREE Q&A WEBINAR: Wellbeing and Productivity in the Workplace Wednesday 27 May 2020, 12:30pm Recently, we are seeing many businesses struggling with:... 1. keeping their business productive; 2. being innovate and staying relevant; and 3. ensuring staff maintain performance standards. While weve seen great practices in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, many managers are struggling with managing performance and promoting wellbeing in new work conditions. Our workplace experts have developed some great strategies to help you lift staff performance, innovation and productivity in this time and will be explaining these strategies in our free Q&A webinar next week. Register here https://bit.ly/2LHtuB0 and bring along your questions! #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #questionsanswered

16.01.2022 Here at Workplace Wizards were constantly looking for ways to better improve our business and our service to clients. This week our director Susanna has been working on a chat bot to assist clients to get answers fast through the website. If you have any ways youre improving your business - wed love to hear!... #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #businesstobusiness

16.01.2022 Wednesday 21 October 2020 is National Ride2Work Day! Ride2Work encourages everyday people to jump on the bike and get active on their way to work. Even though those of us in Melbourne might still be working from home, we do encourage you to go for a lunchtime ride and enjoy the fresh air if you can!... As motivation dips from months of working from home or continual adaptation to new working conditions, government regulations and guidelines, physical health has become more important. We tend to forget how things like our regular walk or ride to the station contribute to our fitness - that is, until they’re gone! #workingfromhome #wellbeing #work #mentalhealth #wellness

16.01.2022 Do you know how to implement face coverings in your workplace? We've linked some detailed and helpful information for employers and managers on implementing face coverings in your workplace Where government has directed face coverings outside of the house, individuals are going to find it frustrating and challenging.... As this guidance highlights the best thing to do is to talk to your team/s and work out together how you can best comply and keep everyone safe. #covid19aus #peoplemanagement #whs #ohs #b2bhelp #b2badvisory #hr #leadership https://bit.ly/30S2mGv

16.01.2022 "Workplace Wizard's advice has been practical, straightforward and extremely useful when guiding us through some of the more technical parts of our workplace relations." Reviewed by Matt Windsor, General Manager. Man with a Van. See more: https://bit.ly/3g6bJJ6 #WorkplaceRelations #WorkplaceSolutions #WorkplaceWizards

16.01.2022 Meet Mark Ritchie, our ‘Head Wizard’! Mark is Managing Director and Principal Consultant at Workplace Wizards. He’s advised Australian businesses for over 15 years and has worked with major national and international brands. Now, with Workplace Wizards, Mark’s chosen to use his legal training and experience to help Australian businesses and managers negotiate their tricky HR issues and optimise performance in a way that’s accessible for all (not just the big corpo...rations). Mark's years of experience and personable nature mean that he can really understand clients and their unique situations, and he makes sure they always get the right advice. And if you’ve ever been around Williamstown, chances are you might have seen Mark getting out and about! He’s worked as a president for the local footy club and he loves getting involved with the community. Clients often report that this is so evident from his energy - they love the way he jumps in and gets involved in their business, and gets to know them so that he can best work alongside them and help their businesses thrive. #workplacerelations #hr #workplacewizards #inittogether

16.01.2022 Have you got staff working from home? Here's a helpful article from headspace outlining the benefits of flexibility and support for staff well-being when forced to work from home. Our approach was to dial down the pressure so that our people don’t feel they have to be everything and do everything in this period of crisis. We wanted to empower them to say, ‘it’s OK to be flexible’ and’ it’s OK to not be alright all of the time.’... Definitely food for thought. It can be difficult to strike the balance between allowing flexibility and also managing high performance and motivation. Let us know your thoughts! #workplacewizards #launchlegal #workfromhome #inittogether

16.01.2022 Should you engage an external workplace relations expert to do an investigation? Not only are they worth every cent, you can't afford not to. Find out why in the aricle below.... https://bit.ly/3ipsdhm See more

16.01.2022 Do you know how to implement face coverings in your workplace? Weve linked some detailed and helpful information for employers and managers on implementing face coverings in your workplace Where government has directed face coverings outside of the house, individuals are going to find it frustrating and challenging.... As this guidance highlights the best thing to do is to talk to your team/s and work out together how you can best comply and keep everyone safe. #covid19aus #peoplemanagement #whs #ohs #b2bhelp #b2badvisory #hr #leadership https://bit.ly/30S2mGv

15.01.2022 RESTRUCTURES AND REDUNDANCIES: TRAPS TO AVOID This week we’ve been supporting many business leaders as they restructure and tighten their business models. Making those tough decisions around changing business structures and redundancies can be a new and difficult task.... In addition, there are various steps in any redundancy process to ensure the company meets its legal requirements and protects against unfair dismissal. A few of the questions we’ve been asked this week: What positions can I make redundant? What process do I follow when making redundancies? How do I choose which positions are made redundant? What if my employee is receiving JobKeeper? What redundancy payment do I need to pay? If you’re finding yourself asking these, we’re here to help. #consulting #legalframework #b2b

15.01.2022 New JobKeeper legislation comes into effect from 28 September 2020. The rates of payment will change, and you’ll have to be across the two extension periods and the two tiers of rates. Also don’t forget: Employers need to demonstrate that their actual GST turnover has fallen against a comparable period in the previous year.... Tier 1 and tier 2 JobKeeper rates apply and are generally based on average hours worked by employees. Everything you need to know is waiting for you in our JobKeeper 2.0 hub. Click through for: Details of the JobKeeper extension What are the catches if you are eligible What to do if you are not going to be eligible What to communicate to staff Where to find help #JobKeeper #GovernmentSubsidies

14.01.2022 Who else is re-watching The Office Christmas episodes? Not only are they hilarious, they definitely highlight the importance of getting your policies strengthened to manage alcohol at work. We can help you prepare a policy and procedure tailored to your workplace. https://bit.ly/36GbWke

14.01.2022 We’ve helped clients from all kinds of backgrounds negotiate EBAs, and we like to think we've got the process pretty down pat. One thing we know very well is that when it comes to EBAs, planning is EVERYTHING. To help you at your next negotiation, we’ve compiled what we know into a four-part series on how to plan for EBA success.... Here’s part one - including our top 3 tips to try before you even consider negotiating, and an estimated negotiation schedule taking you from start to finish of the entire 2-3 month process. https://www.workplacewizards.com.au/how-to-plan-for-eba-ne/ Also stay tuned for our EBA webinar coming up on 19 November! #EBA #negotiations #hr

14.01.2022 If you're considering directing employees to come back to work after a period of shut-down or work from home, you may like to check out Fair Work's tips! Working out what to do in these unprecedented times is not easy - and you're not alone. We're also here to help with your workplace needs!... #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #consulting

14.01.2022 The WorkPac Decision: Are your casual employees actually casual? As a business owner, we understand if the recent decision of WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2020] may have caused confusion about whether you have to provide paid leave entitlements to your casual employees. The 2020 WorkPac decision confirmed employees may actually be permanent (and entitled to paid annual, personal and compassionate leave), if the substance of their employment arrangement is that of a perman...ent employee, despite the casual label within their employment contract. Weve explored what this decision means for you in the blog below. We hope this is helpful. As always, reach out to us should you have any workplace questions, wed be happy to assist! #workplacewizards #workplace #launchlegal #inittogether #employees #consulting

13.01.2022 R U OK? Today is R U OK day, and it's a great reminder of what we should be doing all year - checking in on those around us. Here at Workplace Wizards we recognise it is so important to ask the question "are you okay?" even if a person seems okay or we feel like we've asked them lots of times before. Often, we also need to ask a few times before people feel comfortable to respond honestly.... By asking, we show we care, and give people an opportunity to talk. #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #ruok #mentalhealth #theresmoretosay

13.01.2022 Here at Workplace Wizards our team loves supporting a variety of businesses resolve issues and strengthen their workplace practices. Here's a recent review from one of our valued clients. #businesssupport #solutions #workplacewizards

12.01.2022 If you need a COVID Safe Plan to be able to run your business beyond this week, please reach out. Weve been working hard to prepare these for our clients, and would be more than happy to help you too! Contact our Principal Consultant Mark on 0458 644 469 to arrange for us to assist! #workplacewizards #inittogether #launchlegal #covid19

12.01.2022 "The devil will be in the detail." Workplace Wizard and Launch Legal's Managing Director Mark Ritchie in today's The Age newspaper on new wage deal for construction workers: "Construction businesses had struggled with the "incredible" 5 per cent annual wage rises agreed under previous versions of the deal. The devil will be in the detail of what is hidden in the penalties and allowances in that agreement, which all combine to make construction in Victoria hugely more expensi...ve than it ought to be." #IRnews #industrialnews #wagedeal #workplacewizards #launchlegal #b2b #b2badvisory #b2bhelp #industrialrelations #peoplemanagement #employees theage.com.au//cfmeu-gives-construction-firms-a-break-in-w

12.01.2022 The Fair Work Commission has started to determine disputes arising out of the JobKeeper Scheme, with the first published decision released yesterday. What was the dispute? Part of the scheme allows employers to request employees receiving JobKeeper to take annual leave so long as they would have at least 2 weeks of annual leave remaining. Employees then may not unreasonably refuse the request. ... Recently, an employee, who works part time in staff services at a Brisbane Theme Park and was receiving JobKeeper payments, refused to take her annual leave when requested by her employer. Had the employee unreasonably refused? The Commissioner found her refusal was unreasonable as: - her reasons lacked justification; and - she had little or no regard for the business which is unable to operate for an extended period of time. An appeal on this decision is to be heard on Monday. It seems well gather more clarity about how these JobKeeper requests and the scheme will operate in practice as more decisions are made. If youve got questions about the application of the JobKeeper scheme in your workplace - let us know! #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #consulting #yourquestions answered

12.01.2022 Have you thought about how you will make your work’s Christmas gathering and parties COVID safe? What can you do to ensure everyone socially distances? #covidsafe #dancing #12daysofriskmas #day2

12.01.2022 Dont forget that weve got our webinar on tomorrow - where well discuss how best to manage workplace injury in your workplace. Well cover questions including: 1. Supporting injured/ill workers and your business; 2. Getting them back to work after a period away; and... 3. Navigating the various dos and donts of injury/illness management. Well also be answering live your workplace specific questions! Register to reserve your spot here! https://bit.ly/2DITsmO #workplacewizards #lunchnlearn #launchlegal #webinar #workplaceinjury

11.01.2022 QUESTION: Do you feel you can effectively manage your team’s performance over Zoom? Managing staff discipline is becoming increasingly complex for employers - especially as work arrangements become more fragmented and flexible in our post-COVID world. If you get it wrong, you risk aggrieved employees making claims of unfair dismissal, adverse action and workers’ compensation against your company, as well as potential bullying, harassment and discrimination issues.... To make sure you’re always playing by the rules, grab our ‘Performance Management and Disciplinary Warnings’ resource pack. We'll step you through the performance management start to finish, with a full suite of template letters and step-by-step instructions on how to use them. Get the resource pack here https://bit.ly/36z728M #performancemanagement #communication #HR

11.01.2022 High Court re-establishes rule to calculate personal/carers leave. Today, the High Court has ruled on the Mondelez case, confirming how to calculate personal/carers leave. The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) entitles employees 10 days of personal leave each year. In calculating this on a pro-rata basis for part time employees, or employees that work longer than 7.6 hours days the question arises in accruing annual leave, is a day accrued for each shift performed within a 24... hour day period, or as a proportion of their ordinary hours? The High Court confirmed, that the answer is the latter the entitlement may be calculated as a proportion of their ordinary hours, that is 1/26 of their annual hours, or 1/10 of their fortnightly hours. Contact us if youd like to discuss or if this may affect your existing employment contract terms! For the full case see here https://bit.ly/30PFDfu #launchlegal #workplacewizards #employee #mondelezdecision #highcourt #inittogether

11.01.2022 Time for video 2! Today we've got Meagan Beasley chatting about #Wages. It is always important to make sure you're wage compliant and here are some tips on where to look to make sure you're meeting entitlements!

11.01.2022 Everyone loves an office Christmas party, but make sure things don’t get too out of hand by getting your workplace policies in order, before the champagne starts popping. Contact one of our workplace relations experts to get your workplace ready for the silly season. https://bit.ly/349yOGn #12daysofriskmas #workplacewizards #workplacepolicies #day3

11.01.2022 "Workplace Wizards advice has been practical, straightforward and extremely useful when guiding us through some of the more technical parts of our workplace relations." Reviewed by Matt Windsor, General Manager. Man with a Van. See more: https://bit.ly/3g6bJJ6 #WorkplaceRelations #WorkplaceSolutions #WorkplaceWizards

11.01.2022 #askthewiz Question 1: What can I do if my employees are receiving JobKeeper payments, and now are refusing to come to work? This was one of the key questions asked in our webinar on Friday. Our Wizards Susanna Ritchie and Elise Jasper have answered it here for you. Many employees are not wanting to work at this time. Perhaps they are needing to care for kids, feel unsafe at work, or merely would prefer receive the $750 JobKeeper payment each week without working. ... What can an employer do? If your employees are casual - not much. Your casual employees have no obligation to accept shifts and you cannot direct them to. If your employees are part-time or full-time then you may be able to give them a lawful and reasonable direction to work their normal contracted hours. Youll, however, need to consider whether working would be reasonable in the current COVID-19 circumstances. You may also want to consider reaching an agreement with your employees to work flexibly, from home, or to access their paid leave (personal, annual, sick leave). Let us know what your business is thinking or if you have any other questions! #employees #askthewiz #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #consulting

11.01.2022 Don’t let a bad apple spoil the bunch! As all business owners and managers know, sometimes you encounter a ‘difficult’ employee. These situations need to be managed quickly and carefully for the good of the team. We know how stressful these situations can be, and we can help with dismissal-related claims, including unfair dismissal and general protections claims.... Our advisors provide practical and easy-to-follow advice and support on managing and resolving claims, as well as knowledgeable and experienced representation in the Fair Work Commission and Federal Circuit Court. If you’d like to upskill yourself in this area and become a more capable manager, our ‘Performance Management And Dismissals’ course will arm you with the skills to navigate through performance management and dismissals and manage your legal obligations. Full details and book your spot here https://www.workplacewizards.com.au//performance-manageme/ #WorkplaceRelations #WorkplaceSolutions #WorkplaceWizards

11.01.2022 Here's a friendly reminder that in these uncertain times, you can reach out to our team here at Workplace Wizards to support you and your business. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #b2b

10.01.2022 Do you have a workplace policy for office romances? Before you start hanging the mistletoe at the office party, make sure you have a clear workplace policy on office relationships that all staff understand.

10.01.2022 Got your work Christmas lunch planned and risk managed? This article will give you an idea of things to expect and ask of your employees in the lead up to office parties and gatherings. https://bit.ly/2VHb4VT

10.01.2022 Do you need to have some difficult conversations after the Christmas office party? This webinar on difficult conversations will outline the most productive and considered approaches for handling difficult conversations. https://bit.ly/3g6Jivs

09.01.2022 Staff disagreeing over what Christmas carols are being played at your work? Everyone gets a little on edge as the silly season approaches. Make sure you are ready to handle any workplace conflict that emerges. This article on how to best resolve workplace conflict will also help you get started. https://bit.ly/2YKoFgl

09.01.2022 Did you know... By 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber children younger than 5 years. Over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050, and 80% of them will be living in low- and middle-income countries.... The COVID-19 pandemic may significantly lower older persons’ incomes and living standards. Already, less than 20% of older persons of retirement age receive a pension. (Stats from the UN) October 1 marked the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons. Ageing is one thing that unites us all, and we think aged care workers do an incredible job at stepping up and caring for the vulnerable members of our society. We support a number of aged care providers to ensure they’re best-placed to provide great care for elderly people, and meet all their obligations. So happy International Day of Older Persons our elderly, and those who care for them, are in our thoughts.

08.01.2022 Do you have a responsible service of alcohol plan for your office Christmas party? Contact one of our workplace relations experts to discuss what you need to consider and read our free guide on ‘How to Manage Employees Affected By Drugs and Alcohol at Work’. https://bit.ly/36GbWke

08.01.2022 National Safe Work month is a month away (October), and is a good opportunity again to plan some safe work promotion and activities. See some of Safe Work Australias suggestions on planned activities below #workplacewizards #launchlegal #safetyatwork #safeworkaustralia

08.01.2022 It's that time of year that employees are thinking about taking a well earned break. Are you familiar with all the types of leave? What happens if employees have accrued excessive leave? We've answered some common questions in the 'how-to' guide here! https://bit.ly/3qKRHK3

08.01.2022 Last week our amazing Director, Susanna Ritchie, was featured on 94.1FM 3WBC to discuss the issues and behaviours that emerge at office Christmas parties. Are you actually 'at work'? What are the responsibilities for both employers and employees? What happens if things go wrong? You can listen to the segment by clicking the link below and reach out to our team of workplace relations experts for advice on how to best navigate these risks.... https://bit.ly/3gHz6dj

08.01.2022 Our team have enjoyed supporting our healthcare clients this year. We are particularly proud of how our clients, including Michelle, who have consistently adapted their work practices and safety measures to ensure all are safe in the workplace. #consulting #HRoutsource #workplacewizards

08.01.2022 Workplace conflict- what if I cant resolve it myself? Conflict is a part of life. The workplace is no exception. It is important to resolve workplace conflict well as conflict often has a negative impact on the overall workplace culture and not just those involved in the conflict.... Sometimes this means involving a third party to assist. Weve explored when you might like to engage an external mediator or other dispute resolution assistance in the blog below. Let us know your thoughts! #workplacewizards #inittogether #launchlegal #workplaceculture #workplaceproductivity #consulting

07.01.2022 EBA variations during COVID-19? It’s possible. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on businesses, you may be wondering what you can do about enterprise agreements negotiated pre-COVID. Most current agreements were made at a time when strict lockdowns and the impact these would have on businesses and individuals was inconceivable.... As a result, many businesses have found themselves struggling to meet the employment conditions under their existing enterprise agreement. Fortunately, for those hit most severely by this crisis (or any other unforeseen economic change which makes adhering to an existing agreement unviable), there is an avenue to amend or update current enterprise agreements to provide flexibility in the workplace and to protect you from economic armageddon. Michael has explained how you may vary your EBA in our latest blog. #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #unionbargaining #wagerates #consulting

07.01.2022 #askthewiz Question 4: How much can an employer alter the normal duties of an employee during the JobKeeper period? Susanna and Elise answer the question in the video below. In short, an employer may direct an employee receiving JobKeeper for that fortnight to perform duties outside their normal duties so long as the duties are: ... 1. within the employees skill and competency; 2. for which the employee is suitably qualified and licenced; 3. safe to perform; and 4. within the scope of the employers business operations. Employers must also note that if employees are usually entitled to a higher duties allowance for these altered duties (as a result of their employment contract, enterprise agreement or modern award), an employer may still have to pay these additional rates. We recommend you seek specific advice if this is the case. #askthewiz #employeerelations #jobkeeperpayment #consulting #inittogether #launchlegal #workplacewizards #jobkeeperdirections # #employeeengagement #humanresources

07.01.2022 Meet Susanna Ritchie, Director at Workplace Wizards! Susanna is passionate about seeing positive change. In her role on the diversity and inclusion board of Amnesty International, she leads impactful change in areas of social justice and human rights. In Susanna’s other director and management roles, including as Associate Director at Victorian Legal Aid, she has understood first hand the importance of effectively managing teams.... It’s so important to establish a requirement to make expectations clear, and to carry out performance management processes where employees don't meet the mark says Susanna. Susanna’s main drive is to make teams the very best they can be, and to help create teams that can make a positive impact, drive great business results and help her have those 'hard conversations'. #impact #workplacewizards #launchlegal #director

07.01.2022 JOBKEEPER 2.0 LEGISLATION PASSED WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? Last week, Parliament passed the new JobKeeper 2.0 legislation with some changes and a few new developments. From 28 September, there are fundamental changes to the way JobKeeper is applied and eligibility tested.... Weve summarised everything youll need to know, including: 1. JobKeeper eligibility; 2. Amendments made by the Government; and 3. Our tips on how this may affect your business. Read it all in our latest blog linked here #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #COVID19 #consulting #yourquestionsanswered

07.01.2022 Managing injured or ill employees can be tricky at the best of times...let alone during a pandemic If youre currently managing injured or ill employees - and even if you arent - its crucial that you know the best ways to support them and avoid any costly mistakes in future. At our webinar on August 13th, at 12:30pm, well be sharing our proven strategies for:... 1. Supporting injured/ill workers and your business 2. Getting them back to work after a period away 3. Navigating the various dos and donts of injury/illness management Plus, well be answering all of your questions about managing injured or ill employees. We work hard to make our webinars engaging, informative and interactive. Bring your questions and get ready for a fun and friendly learning experience! Register using the link here! https://www.workplacewizards.com.au/webinar-registration/ #workplacewizards #lunchnlearn #launchlegal #webinar #workplaceinjury

06.01.2022 "The devil will be in the detail." Workplace Wizard and Launch Legals Managing Director Mark Ritchie in todays The Age newspaper on new wage deal for construction workers: "Construction businesses had struggled with the "incredible" 5 per cent annual wage rises agreed under previous versions of the deal. The devil will be in the detail of what is hidden in the penalties and allowances in that agreement, which all combine to make construction in Victoria hugely more expensi...ve than it ought to be." #IRnews #industrialnews #wagedeal #workplacewizards #launchlegal #b2b #b2badvisory #b2bhelp #industrialrelations #peoplemanagement #employees theage.com.au//cfmeu-gives-construction-firms-a-break-in-w

06.01.2022 Don't forget that we've got our webinar on tomorrow - where we'll discuss how best to manage workplace injury in your workplace. We'll cover questions including: 1. Supporting injured/ill workers and your business; 2. Getting them back to work after a period away; and... 3. Navigating the various dos and don'ts of injury/illness management. We'll also be answering live your workplace specific questions! Register to reserve your spot here! https://bit.ly/2DITsmO #workplacewizards #lunchnlearn #launchlegal #webinar #workplaceinjury

06.01.2022 October is National Safe Work Month. Do you know what measures you need to keep your employees safe? Safe Work Australia has some tips to get you started here ... #safetyatwork #consulting #B2B

06.01.2022 Many of our clients have been asking us about how to deal with unions requesting right of entry during COVID so we thought wed share some tips and answers with you. In this weeks, blog Nathaniel has helpfully explained: 1. What is a right of entry?... 2. Who can enter my work site? 3. Some top tips on managing right of entry requests. #workplacewizards #launchlegal #inittogether #unions

06.01.2022 It was R U OK Day in September, but stats are showing that we still have some way to go before we’re thinking about mental health every day, not just once a year. From the Harvard Business Review: Because companies are not doing enough to break down this stigma, many people don’t self-identify as having a diagnosable mental health condition, even though up to 80% of us will manage one in our lifetimes.... For us at Workplace Wizards, employee wellbeing is the most important challenge facing workplaces today. Without a well and healthy workforce, there is little else. We always factor employee wellbeing into the advice we provide for businesses and managers. Do you feel that your workplace is doing enough to break the stigma around mental health? See the full Harvard Business Review article below for more insights into dealing with mental health in the workplace. #B2B #mentalhealth #workplacewizards #launchlegal #leadership

05.01.2022 Get ready for the new year with an understanding of employment contracts and how best to engage workers - is it by a contract or as permanent employees? Do you know the difference? Do you know the risks? Our 'how to' guides answer all your questions - Casual Employee Entitlements and Loadings - https://bit.ly/2LiJlsM Independent Contractors - https://bit.ly/37QTLrb ... Employment Contracts - https://bit.ly/3m6c0Ov See more

05.01.2022 WEBINAR TOMORROW: How to maximise staff productivity during COVID-19 Over the past weeks weve seen many of our clients businesses losing staff productivity. Weve been problem solving and coming up with some creative and practical solutions to keep staff productive and performing to a high standard during this tricky time.... Well share them in our free webinar tomorrow at 12:30pm, and answer your workplace specific questions! Register here to reserve your spot! https://lnkd.in/gBdKj4w #inittogether #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #yourquestionsanswered

05.01.2022 With all the business COVID changes this week we understand if you’re struggling to keep up! Employers are now having to follow regulatory changes extremely closely to keep their businesses compliant. We’ve summarised two of the recent updates here being:... 1. the new JobKeeper extension; and 2. the mandatory COVID reporting. #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting #inittogether #heretohelp #b2b

04.01.2022 Paid pandemic leave for aged care workers - what do you need to know? As of today, employers must provide aged care workers up to 14 days paid pandemic leave each time they need to self isolate (so long as theyve exhausted their sick leave/personal leave). The new leave entitlements are aimed at financially assisting employees that need to isolate because of COVID-19 symptoms, or having been in contact with someone with COVID-19. ... Our consultant, Elise, has explored what this means for you in the blog linked below #workplacewizards #consulting #launchlegal #inittogether #agedcare #covid

04.01.2022 Get out the calculator if you haven't already! Three new changes kicking in from 1 July 2021 that affect your payroll processes and your business: The national minimum wage/award minimum rates are increasing by 2.5%. Some industries will have a delayed start time to accommodate the COVID recovery.... The superannuation guarantee will go up to 10% starting 1 July 2021 and the introduction of a 'stapled fund' for employees. The new Wage Theft Act comes into effect in Victoria. Employers, and their directors and officers, face serious penalties if found to have deliberately underpaid their workers. Employers who make honest mistakes or have shown due diligence in meeting entitlements are unlikely to be found to have committed an offence under this Act. If you want to know more about the new law, you can read the blog article here. To learn more about these changes and what you and your business need to do, you can read our blog article here: https://bit.ly/2S64QRl Also - don't forget about the changes to casual employment amidst this all! For more information you can read more here: https://bit.ly/35vW5mC

03.01.2022 For the next 12 months, all employers must notify WorkSafe if any of their employees or independent contractors has contracted COVID and has attended work during the infectious period. The infectious period is the period is 14 days before symptoms or diagnosis - the first of the two. Failing to report cases to WorkSafe can lead to a fine of up to $39,652 for a individual or $198,264 for a body corporate. ... For more information see the Worksafe Site here: https://bit.ly/3g7Xpjm and the regulations here https://bit.ly/3fdEXo5 #worksafe #workplacewizards #launchlegal #consulting

03.01.2022 What is workplace bullying? By definition it’s verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by your employer or someone else at work. It can happen in any type of workplace, to any type of employee. In Victoria, some types of serious workplace bullying also constitute a criminal offence (punishable by up to 10 years’ jail!).... It’s vital that you can identify what bullying is but, given the misconception (and overuse) of this term, it is equally important to be clear on what workplace bullying is NOT. For example, ‘unfair’ workplace practices are not necessarily bullying. You could have a bad, biased or rude boss - but it doesn’t make them a ‘workplace bully’. Get to know the legislative definition of workplace bullying and read more about every employer’s onerous legal responsibilities on our blog below! #humanresources #workplaceconduct #bullying

03.01.2022 The Fair Work Ombudsman has claws And by that we mean it has strong enforcement powers to catch employers underpaying staff and miscalculating award or enterprise agreement entitlements. These claws have been seen in the last month, with the Ombudsman catching large cosmetics brand Lush requiring it to back pay almost $4.5 million worth of wages.... This summer season, avoid the risk and angst (not to mention the scorn of employees, unions and the media). We’ve got two tips for you: Make sure you’re aware of the rates and entitlements applicable to your employees (see our blog here for an overview https://www.workplacewizards.com.au/why-to-prioritise-awar/) Engage Workplace Wizards over the quieter months to audit your payroll arrangements and ensure you don’t end up on the FWO’s naughty list. #compliance #wages #gettingitright #wagesandsalaries

03.01.2022 Time for video 4! As we mentioned before, there are new changes to casual employment! What are these changes? What do they mean for you? To answer these questions and give you a quick 101 on things to look out for, Susanna Ritchie is here! #hr #fairwork

03.01.2022 Do you know what the JobKeeper extension period and changes mean for your business? Well be exploring all you need to know at our webinar on Thursday at 12:30pm - bring all your questions! Register here to reserve your spot https://bit.ly/3b0clhN ... #lunchandlearn #webinar #jobkeeper #business #consulting #covid #workpalcewizards #launchlegal

03.01.2022 Meet Michael Stafford, Workplace Wizards Consultant Michael regularly advises on preparing enterprise bargaining agreements, and he’s stepped many of our clients - especially those in construction - through the EBA negotiation process. He's got diverse expertise in negotiating clauses and outcomes and has a real knack for relating to both parties, especially unions, and gaining an understanding of everyone’s needs.... That’s one of the reasons he’s able to negotiate deals that are beneficial for both sides, and one of the reasons businesses love working with Michael. In his spare time, Michael enjoys a hit of golf, playing football and supporting the mighty Tigers (congrats on the GF win!). Get to know Michael a little more, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need his magic touch on your next enterprise bargaining agreement! #EBA #EnterpriseBargainingAgreements #EnterpriseBargaining

02.01.2022 #askthewiz Question 2: Can I request staff to take their annual leave while they are receiving JobKeeper payments? This was another key question asked at our webinar. Susanna and Elise explain in the video below. In short - yes, you may. ... You may ask an eligible JobKeeper employee to take paid annual leave, so long as they keep a balance of at least 2 weeks. Employees then must consider the request and cant unreasonably refuse it. Employers may also agree with employees (in writing) for them to take annual leave at half their usual pay for twice the length of time. Note, however, during this period of agreed annual leave, while receiving JobKeeper, leave entitlements continue to accrue for the employee. Let us know if you have any more questions for us! #employees #peoplemanagement #jobkeeper #workplace #employeeengagement #workplacewizards #launchlegal #questionsanswered #consulting

01.01.2022 Video 3 is here! Amongst everything happening with #eofy and lockdowns - keep in mind reviewing your contracts! Today we have Mariah Khoury chatting about what to look out for when you look over contracts.

01.01.2022 High Court re-establishes rule to calculate personal/carers leave. After many months of waiting, employers can breathe a sigh of relief after a recent High Court decision involving chocolate and snack manufacturer Mondelz. Last week, the High Court re-established the rules around calculating personal/carers leave clarifying that the "10 days of personal leave each year" entitlements should accrue as a proportion of ordinary hours.... Weve explained the decision and what it means on our blog - find out more in the blog below #workplacewizards #launchlegal #mondelez #leaveentitlements #consulting

01.01.2022 Got a plan for unplanned employee sickness and absences over this festive season? We’ve got this started for you in our FREE guide on ‘How to Understand Different Employee Leave Entitlements’. https://bit.ly/3g87y0d

01.01.2022 Are you ‘coach’ or a ‘boss? We recommend business leaders and managers be 'coaches' rather than delegators or bosses. Although it takes more time, it develops a stronger team. ... Here’s a quote we think sums it up really well: "As a manager, a central part of your job is to train and develop people. This includes people who want to move into leadership roles, similar to yours, one day. When you take on the mindset of a trainer instead of a manager delegating work you will naturally look for ways to give a little more responsibility to the people who work for you. And those people who put in effort, and show an aptitude for the work, should be given more opportunities to try new, challenging tasks." It’s a great way to think about leadership. If you’re a manager, take a moment today to read this article and consider how those dynamics apply to you and your team. Coach on!