The HR Cartel Podcast

(075) Cost & Productivity: Extreme Measures Faced by Thousands of Australian Businesses

In this episode of the HR Cartel, host Tim Dive dives deep into the reality facing Australian business owners post-election. With a government that shows no signs of lifting the cost burden on small and medium-sized employers, Tim breaks down the pressing challenges and what business leaders must now do to survive.
From skyrocketing wage costs and new criminal liabilities under wage theft laws, to the real-world implications of workplace performance management, this episode is a must-listen for every employer, manager, and HR lead trying to navigate the current IR landscape.
If you've found yourself wondering whether performance management systems are worth the investment—or questioning how much further you can cut without collapsing your workforce—this conversation is for you.
📌 Topics include:
Why cost-cutting in business is misunderstood
What “performance management” should actually look like in SMEs
How political ideology is shaping IR outcomes
What you need to do now to avoid non-compliance and survive the next wave of reform
This is one of the most frank conversations we’ve had yet.
 
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(074) Employer gets a "win" in $120M Non-Compete Case, Labor’s Next IR Move & What Employers Need to Do Now

In this explosive episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive dives deep into a high-stakes restraint of trade case where an ex-employee tried to take $120M worth of tender intel to a direct competitor, and the courts actually stepped in.
📌 Interim restraint orders were granted—three months after the employee had already jumped ship, proving that restraint clauses can work… when they’re written properly.
But just as courts begin backing employers, the current government is moving to wipe out restraint clauses for 90% of Australian workers.
So what now?
Tim unpacks:
The case details and why this win matters for employers
The IR changes coming if Labor retains power
The contract clauses you must update NOW before laws change
How to shield your business before the protections disappear
If you have sales, BD, or leadership staff—and your business relies on client relationships—you need to hear this.
🎧 Listen now. Protect what’s yours.
 
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(073) 10 Macro, Micro, and Policy Adjustments Employers are Using to Cut Costs and Reduce Risk, Right Now

Episode 073: The 10 Adjustments Employers Are Making to Survive the Next 12-24 Months
In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive breaks down the real-world moves smart employers are making right now to tackle rising costs, productivity loss, and compliance risks in an increasingly hostile business environment.
With union wish lists becoming law, wage theft risks on the rise, and Fair Work changes biting hard, the next year won’t be easy for small and medium business owners.
So how do you stay afloat—without sacrificing your people or your performance?Tim unpacks the 10 macro, micro, and policy adjustments that employers are using to cut costs, reduce risk, and keep control over their business.
Learn about:
Redesigns, restructures, and when to pull the redundancy lever
Outsourcing HR, finance, and marketing the smart way
The compliance traps of double and triple dipping (and why it could land you in jail)
How AI is replacing roles and improving productivity right now
Why performance management (done properly) is your best weapon
If you’re an employer who’s ready to stop playing defence and start leading smarter—this episode is for you.
 
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(072) Activism Has Infected the Fair Work Commission; And You’re Paying for It

“Activism in the Fair Work Commission: A Wake-Up Call for Employers”
In this firecracker episode, we take the gloves off and call out an alarming trend: ideological activism embedded in the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman.
With a controversial decision just handed down, targeting modern awards through the lens of gender-based undervaluation, we ask the tough questions no one else is willing to:
Is the Commission becoming a political weapon?
Are employers being punished in the name of “equality”?
Who really ends up paying for 30–64% award wage hikes? (Spoiler: it’s you.)
From pharmacy and childcare to aged care and health services, this episode exposes how well-meaning social agendas can destroy small business viability, and why this kind of economic activism is completely misplaced.
🔥 Expect bold takes, raw truth, and the kind of HR commentary that actually defends employers.
If you’re tired of being the one paying the price for other people’s ideologies, this one is for you.
🎧 Listen now. Push back harder. #TheHRCartel
 
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(071) Australia’s Leading Entrepreneur, Phillip Di Bella, Joins The HR Cartel for a No-BS Chat.

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Tim Dive sits down with one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, Phillip Di Bella; founder of Di Bella Coffee and The Coffee Commune, and passionate advocate for small business.
Together, they cut through the noise and dive deep into the real state of play for business owners in Australia. From red tape and rising costs, to leadership mindset and why trust in government is fading, nothing is off limits.
This is not your average business podcast episode. It’s a straight-talking, truth-telling convo between two people who live and breathe business, and who aren’t afraid to say the quiet parts out loud.
Whether you're in hospitality, construction, retail, or professional services, this one is for you. Expect insights, fire, and practical gold for running a business in a post-pandemic, pre-election world.
 
Key themes:
The daily reality of small business owners in 2025
Phillip’s take on government red tape and leadership failure
Why many business owners feel “on their own” right now
The true cost of over-regulation
How to lead with resilience (and guts)
https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/
https://www.hrcartel.com/ 
 

(070) No More Non-Compete: What Happens When Employees Can Walk Away With Your Business?

"The Non-Compete Chaos & What It Really Means for Small Business"
In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive delivers a raw and unfiltered breakdown of the recent and proposed workplace legislation changes that could drastically shift how small and medium-sized businesses operate in Australia. From the alarming plans to outlaw non-compete clauses to the ever-growing influence of unions, this episode cuts through the noise to ask one key question: who is really protecting the employer?
Tim dives into:
The true implications of removing non-compete clauses
How small businesses are left exposed while trying to protect their people, clients, and intellectual property
The shocking rise in regulatory red tape and union power
Why the “right to disconnect” law was a pointless move
What employers must start doing to protect their business and stay compliant
What this all means ahead of the next federal election
If you’re a business owner or leader in Australia, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.

(069) The Real Cost of Compliance and Admin Burden Crushing Employers Right Now

In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim breaks down the real impact of the current Labor government’s workplace law reforms. Small and medium businesses are facing an unprecedented compliance burden, extra admin, higher operational costs, and serious risks for directors and managers. Tim cuts through the noise to show you exactly what’s changed, why it matters, and how it’s affecting business owners, leaders and managers. If you lead an Australian business with under 200 employees, this is for you.
💡 Learn how to protect your business, your board, and yourself in this new era of compliance.🎧 Tune in for practical advice and no-nonsense insights.
 
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(068) Standing Down Employees & Other Options during TC Alfred

With Tropical Cyclone Alfred looming off the coast, businesses across Queensland and Northern NSW are scrambling to prepare—not just for the storm, but for the workforce challenges that come with it.
In this audio-only, remote episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive cuts through the confusion surrounding stand-down provisions, temporary shutdowns, and employer obligations during extreme weather events. With misinformation circulating, many business owners are unsure of their rights and options when it comes to managing their workforce in unpredictable conditions.
What you'll learn in this episode:
✔️ Stand-down vs. Temporary Shutdown – What’s the difference?✔️ Do you have to pay employees during a weather-related closure?✔️ What legal risks should employers be aware of?✔️ Practical steps to protect your business & workforce in emergencies.
 
If you're a business owner wondering what to do when disaster strikes, this episode gives clear, no-BS advice to keep your business compliant and protected.
 
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(067) Successful or Barely Surviving? The Scorecard That Could Change Your Business Forever

In this episode of The HR Cartel, host Tim Dive discusses the evolving workplace compliance landscape in Australia. With the increasing complexities of regulations and the growing administrative burden on small and medium-sized businesses, Tim discusses the critical need for businesses to shift from mere compliance to strategic success.
He explores:
The Fair Work Commission's shifting dynamics, including the impact of leadership changes and union influence.
How businesses can protect themselves from new laws and legal risks.
The importance of leadership development, workforce training, and mentoring future leaders.
Why small and medium-sized businesses need an internal workplace success scorecard to measure more than just compliance.
Tim introduces the SME Workplace & Business Success Scorecard, a proactive tool designed to help employers benchmark performance, leadership strength, and operational sustainability—ensuring businesses thrive, not just survive.
Join the conversation and discover why staying ahead of regulations isn’t enough—you need a strategy to grow, adapt, and lead in today’s compliance-heavy environment.
For access to the HR Cartel membership and exclusive tools like the Workplace Success Scorecard, visit www.hrcartel.com.

(066) The Critical Choices Facing Small & Medium Business Owners in 2025

As we charge into 2025, the challenges for Australian small and medium-sized businesses continue to grow. In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, host Tim Dove breaks down the key decisions business owners must make to stay ahead in an increasingly complex and high-risk environment.
From the criminalisation of wage theft to skyrocketing labour costs, stricter compliance requirements, and economic uncertainty, businesses are facing a landscape that demands proactive adaptation. Tim discusses:
HR & IR Compliance Risks – How new laws, including wage theft criminalisation, are increasing liability for business owners.
Rising Business Costs & Economic Pressures – The impact of labour cost increases, cash flow constraints, and supply chain disruptions.
Workforce Strategy & Talent Retention – Addressing skill shortages, mental health risks, and flexible work challenges.
Digital Transformation & Automation – Where technology can streamline operations and where it might not be worth the investment.
Government & Policy Changes – How ATO debt collection, superannuation increases, and regulatory shifts could impact your business.
Business Model Adaptation – Is your current offering still fit for the market, or is it time for a strategic shift?
Building Business Resilience – Planning for economic downturns, protecting reputation, and ensuring financial stability.
With so much at stake, this episode provides essential insights and practical advice to help business owners navigate 2025 with confidence.
Tune in now and ensure your business is prepared for the road ahead.
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