I often visit small and growing businesses to discuss with them their people management needs. Their need is a very simple one - "I just want to treat my people right and make sure I am compliant". Unfortunately,until recently, that need could not be addressed in a simple manner and many employers would place the need in the "too hard" basket.   read more

The Federal Government has introduced into parliament its second tranche of legislation amending the Fair Work Act. The changes to the Act include new responsibilities for the Fair Work Commission in regards to Workplace Bullying by introducing a new avenue for a employee to complain about Workplace Bullying. The bill allows a worker who believes they are being bullied at work to apply to the Commission for an order to stop the bullying. read more

We are delighted to announce an important milestone in our business. As of Monday the 4th of February 2013, People Smartz Pty Ltd will be partnering with enableHR to provide implementation and training support to Xero Accounting practices. Xero is an ASX listed online accounting and payroll tool that has rapidly gained acceptance with leading chartered accounting practices and book keeping groups. read more

We are pleased to announce the release of the February 2013 WebinHR program. Designed for small businesses, these seminars are presented by some of the best in the business and this month cover topics such as managing bullying, reducing labour costs, accessing government funding for training and simplifying recruiting.  read more

Everywhere you go today, social media is the topic. The news bulletins are telling us about "social media trolls", television advertisements invite you to "follow" a particular company and radio stations are embracing "multi-mode marketing" encouraging listeners to visit their website for more juicy information.   read more

Fair Work Australia this week released its latest annual report.  It is interesting reading. As you can see by the title of this post, the number of unfair dismissal claims has once again risen over the year 2011-2012 to a total of 14,027.  This is an increase of 9.2%. The "headline" number for the government in this report is the number of claims settled overall under this system - 81%.  Evidence that the system is "working" they say. read more

At People Smartz we receive a large number of phone calls and website hits every month from clients, ex-clients and others requesting information regarding Small Business HR Issues. We have been keeping records for sometime about the questions asked, however, for the first time this month, we have decided to publish the top 5 topics based on the questions asked.  Our top five for the last month are: read more

Occasionally at People Smartz we see trends beginning to develop in regards to the areas we are asked to assist businesses. At the moment, we seem to have a "run" on businesses approaching us to assist with issues that have arisen as a result of working from home arrangements. Over the last three months, we have assisted a number of businesses and organisations to "sort out" these arrangements.  The majority of these businesses were not for profit and run by a "volunteer" executive or elected officials.  Over time, the nature of these businesses had resulted in there being a lack of awareness in regards to the activities of employee/s of the business - in one case, the Executive did not even really know the physical address of their "office"! read more

Yes it nearing the end of the year.  We are entering party season - a great time to unwind, rub shoulders with workmates etc.  This can be a fun time! But end of year parties have a very serious side as many of these antics lead to "regrets" after. Recent research in Australia found that 70% of people believed that hitting the booze led to a more "personal" feeling amongst staff.  Nearly a quarter of females interviewed admitted that their boss had made a pass at them at an office party. read more

Today I was almost involved in an accident in my car. I was driving along the road, the last of three cars travelling along a suburban street. Up ahead was a side street with one car waiting to turn out and another waiting to turn into it. Unexpectantly, the first of the two cars ahead of me suddenly stopped to let these two cars exit and enter the side street. Taken by surprise, both I and the driver of the second car braked hard. Unfortunately, the second car was unable to stop in time and drove straight into the rear of the first car, which then crashed into both the cars turning. Luckily, I was travelling far enough behind to avoid being physically involved and my car was undamaged - something I can not say for the other 4 cars involved. read more