Lately I have come across a spate of individuals who have been too scared to discuss the truth about their feelings, simply because they “don’t like confrontation” or “don’t want to rock the boat”. Fair enough, we all want a harmonious culture and for everybody to cooperate and get along. But these decisions to withhold the truth actually result in major detriment. In other words, saying nothing but expecting change is totally the wrong thing to do. Continue reading
A positive workplace culture is critical to an organisation’s ongoing success and can in fact be a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting new employees. How would you describe the feel of your workplace when you walk in? Continue reading
Throughout my 15 year HR career, I have always been responsible for the appraisal piece of a business – this involves a wide range of practical tasks including organising and implementing the appraisal policy and process; training managers and subordinates on what is involved; how appraisals should be conducted; how to give feedback – both positive and negative; and then finally a training needs analysis based on the “development” or “improvement” areas identified for each individual as a result of their performance. Continue reading
So it’s early on in a new year, and hopefully you have had some time to sit back and reflect on the year that was. Hopefully you have set your goals to achieve in 2017, and being early Feb, you are well on your way to achieving them. Part of this goal setting might be about actively seeking the next stage in your career, or simply looking for a new job. Continue reading
Are you under scrutiny at work for performance or disciplinary reasons? A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a friend to be the support person for someone facing disciplinary action for misconduct. In the days that ensued, I had two separate client cases – one misconduct, one performance – and both resulted in termination of employment. Neither of the two individuals in my latter meetings had support people with them, and it was obvious that they were totally unprepared at all stages of the process. Continue reading
If your boss told you to [profanity] off, what would you do? Would you:
The New Year is a time for us all to reflect and reassess our goals in life, and a US survey reported that more than half of workers look for a new job after January 1. In my book, 101 HR Hot Tips: Handy Secrets for Success in the Workplace, I discuss passing your probation in HR Hot Tip #34, but I thought it an opportune time to extend on this HR Hot Tip! So if you’re starting your new role about now, or in the near future, here are four more tips to ensure you maximise your chances of passing your probation: Continue reading
It’s a tough gig being Clive Palmer right now. I wonder, was being Queensland’s most hated man part of his plan? Was life meant to turn out this way?
One can only assume it was, considering he has let go 237 workers from his nickel refinery which shut down in Townsville, Queensland this week, as a direct result of his immoral and irresponsible spending. Continue reading
Australia: One of our most beloved AFL teams has been seriously impacted after the Essendon Bombers Football Club was issued suspensions for 34 of their past and present players, twelve of which are currently on the Bombers’ list, for taking banned supplements at the direction of their fitness coaches and sports scientists.
Whilst the blame game continues as to who is truly at fault and why, what stands out to me in this case is that the administers in this instance were not the preferred candidates for appointment by the Club. Continue reading
Christmas party time! Silly season time! Whatever you wanna call it time! HR Hot Tip #56 in my book 101 HR Hot Tips: Handy Secrets for Success in the Workplace discusses appropriate behaviour including keeping your clothes on at the Christmas party. And now that the silly season is upon us, now is the time to augment this HR Hot Tip for your benefit.
These are the personality types that come out at Christmas parties. Who will you be, or who will you see, this year? Continue reading
