When an employee suddenly resigns or you need to let someone go, one of the first questions that comes up is: 'How much notice should be given?' Notice periods can feel confusing, especially when you’re juggling contracts, awards, and the Fair Work Act. But once you understand the rules and how to apply them, they can help you manage staff transitions smoothly and fairly. In this article, we’ll look at: What a notice period actually is Statutory notice periods under the Natio

Expired qualifications and licences such as driver’s licences, forklift tickets, trade tickets, Working with Children Checks, or Working with Vulnerable People checks aren’t just admin oversights - they’re potential WHS and legal risks to your business. If someone drives a company vehicle, operates a forklift, or works with kids or vulnerable people without a valid clearance, your business could face: Regulatory penalties  or fines for non-compliance. Insurance issues  if an

Deciding whether to pay employees an hourly rate or an annual salary  is one of the biggest pay structure questions for business owners....

Paying your staff isn’t as straightforward as choosing a rate that 'feels fair' and adding a little extra for overtime. As with most...

Recently a local business owner who runs a small marketing agency told me during a meeting, “ I’ve never used written contracts. Just a...

You’ve built a great team, but there’s one person who just isn’t keeping up. You’re not ready to let them go, but you know things can’t...

Most business owners don’t think about HR until they’re tied up dealing with a staff issue they didn’t see coming.  Whether it’s someone...

A logistics business recently learned the hard way that having a policy isn’t the same as being able to use it. After an employee...

Let’s face it, sick days are unfortunately part of running a business. Whether it’s a cold, the flu, or a suspiciously timed day off,...

Working from home has become common for many businesses. However, remote work also brings unique risks. One big question employers face...

If you’re running a small or medium business, you’ve probably used a probationary period  clause in your employment contracts. But don’t...

If you run a small business in health care, disability, early childhood education, pharmacy, or community services, pay attention. ...

Many business owners still run their workplaces based on the idea that a “standard” full-time week is 40 hours.  But is it actually...

When was the last time you gave any serious thought to Community Service Leave? If you’re like most business owners, probably never. And...

If you’re a business owner in Australia, the mere mention of "unfair dismissal" no doubt increases the stress levels. The thought of a...

Starting 1 January 2025, intentionally short-changing your employees on wages or entitlements will no longer  be treated as a mere civil...

During a performance meeting, an underperforming employee suddenly goes on "stress leave" and hands you a generic doctor’s certificate....

If you employ casual staff, you might assume that ending their employment is simple: when the work dries up, you just stop offering...

Picture this: It's Monday morning, and one of your employees tells you they've been called in for jury duty. What do you do? What do you...

For years, the non-compete clause has been the go-to tool for businesses wanting to protect their business, especially when staff leave....