The HR Cartel Podcast

(059) Wage theft traps that most SMEs are likely committing right now.

In this episode, we dig into the latest developments in wage theft and compliance for small to medium-sized businesses. With the Fair Work Ombudsman set to enforce new, stricter wage theft laws from January 2025, Tim shares insights on how employers need to prepare, highlighting potential risks and liabilities for business owners, HR teams, and even individual managers.
We break down a recent podcast from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s team and challenge the notion that small businesses are adequately equipped to manage complex compliance requirements alone. Tim stresses the importance of proactive communication, compliance audits, and understanding technical breaches, urging businesses to address these issues now to avoid severe penalties in the new year.
A must-listen for employers navigating Australia's intricate compliance landscape, this episode offers both caution and practical advice for securing your business against the risk of wage theft allegations and more.
 
Anna Booth (FWO Podcast Episode) - Don't Be Afraid Of New Wage Theft Laws | Business Essentials Daily Podcast
 

(058) Work from home injuries & compensation pay outs

Tim Dive delves into a new legal case that holds employers liable for employees’ injuries while working from home. He explores how this decision reshapes the risks of flexible and remote work arrangements and warns that vague policies and unchecked “work-from-anywhere” setups will certainly leave businesses vulnerable. Tim shares practical tips for employers to safeguard themselves by creating detailed policies on work-from-home protocols and managing liability. Tune in to learn how to protect your business in the evolving landscape of remote work!
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(057) Fair Work's Target Industries for 2025 Revealed!

In this latest podcast episode, Tim Dive breaks down key findings from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s latest reports, highlighting the industries that will face significant scrutiny in 2025. He emphasizes the need for businesses, particularly those in hospitality, aged care, and construction, to focus on wage compliance as wage theft criminalisation laws come into effect. He also touches on average full-time salaries across different age groups and offers benchmarking strategies for businesses looking to stay competitive and compliant in the new year.
visit the HR Cartel at www.hrcartel.com or email the podcast at thehrcartelpodcast@gmail.com 

(056) How the CFMEU’s Aggression Backfired: A Leadership Breakdown

This episode of The HR Cartel podcast dives into the ongoing saga, death threats, and situation with the CFMEU and its recent controversies, with a particular focus on leadership and behaviour within the union. Tim shares his insights on the union’s aggressive tactics, how it affects the construction industry, and discusses the broader implications of the CFMEU's conduct, including threats against public figures. The episode emphasizes the need for reasonable dialogue and better conduct within the union movement, advocating for balance and sensible practices that support workers without resorting to intimidation.

(055) Brisbane Broncos: 5 leadership masterstrokes in exiting Kevin Walters

In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, host Tim Dive draws leadership insights from the Brisbane Broncos' recent leadership decisions. Using the club's journey as a case study, Tim explores the critical decisions that businesses can learn from—emphasising the importance of performance assessment, setting clear standards, removing emotional bias, and executing swift, values-based leadership decisions. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or running a small business, these lessons are universal, offering actionable strategies for sustaining performance and nurturing company culture. Tune in to see how sports and business leadership are more alike than you think.
 

(054) 82% of CEOs Want Staff Back in the Office - the end of Working From Home

EPISODE CORRECTION: Tim misspeaks when stating "82% of Australian CEOs" intend a return to office within 3 years - The KPMG Report refers to 82% of Global CEOs - not Australian CEOs. 
In this episode, Tim dives into the heated debate around working from home and why it’s not the workplace revolution many believe it to be. With big companies like Amazon and Tabcorp mandating a return to the office, Tim breaks down the data that shows declining productivity and engagement, despite the loud voices pushing for remote work. He challenges the common narratives, highlighting the disconnect between employee perceptions and real-world business needs. Tune in to explore why 82% of Australian CEOs expect a full return to the office within the next three years and what this means for the future of work. 
 
Reach us at www.hrcartel.com 
 
Show links: 
KPMG CEO Outlook 2024: https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/sg/pdf/2024/09/kpmg-ceo-outlook-2024-executive-summary.pdf 
Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx
Reward Gateway: https://www.rewardgateway.com/au/blog/employee-engagement-retention#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20employee%20engagement%20in,complex%20and%20less%20encouraging%20reality. 
 
 

(053) The REAL top 3 issues Aussie Employers must focus on right now

In this episode of the HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive goes deep into the urgent issues small and medium-sized employers face as we approach the end of the year. Tim challenges the usual HR advice on employee engagement and shifts the focus to more pressing concerns: wage compliance, payroll audits, and contract reviews. He breaks down why understanding complex award rates, performing regular payroll audits, and updating employment contracts are crucial steps to protect your business from new wage theft laws coming into effect in 2025. Tim also touches on the shift in big business attitudes toward work-from-home policies and DEI initiatives, highlighting how smaller employers need practical, no-nonsense HR strategies to thrive in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Tune in for actionable insights to safeguard your business, your people, and your peace of mind.
 
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(052) The Right to Disconnect and other updates

Tim dives into the complexities surrounding Australia's new "right to disconnect" law, which grants employees the right to refuse work-related contact outside of regular hours. Tim highlights the issues regarding the interplay between this law and existing offsetting clauses in employment contracts and explores the broader implications of recent industrial relations changes, the challenges of navigating these laws, and the importance of clear, updated workplace policies. He underscores the need for businesses to stay proactive, ensuring they’re not caught off guard by employee refusals that could disrupt operations. 

(051) SMEs in Trouble; Save Our Middle-Class!

In this episode, Tim Dive explores the ongoing challenges faced by Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) amidst rising government intervention and industrial relations complexities. He discusses the critical role of the middle-class business sector in sustaining the economy and the growing pressures threatening its survival. Tim also critiques the current state of HR practices, emphasising the need for leadership development that includes the entire workforce. Join Tim as he dives deep into the real issues impacting Australia's workplaces and offers insights on how to navigate these turbulent times.
 
Show notes link: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/event/is-your-hiring-strategy-ready-for-the-future/ 

(050) More Exposed! Fake Jobs, Cash Demands, and Secret Recordings.

What are we hearing? Unions using members' fees to interfere with other union elections, multi-million dollar fake printing invoices paid for fake jobs, union delegates walking onto sites demanding cash from their members, suspected secret recordings on the streets of Brisbane, and the ACCC taking a Tier 1 construction contractor to task over their agreement with the CFMEU to block a sub-contractor from their site. 
Tim will be speaking on a panel in Brisbane on 29 August 2024 - discussing IR, HR and Recruitment - tickets available here: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/event/is-your-hiring-strategy-ready-for-the-future/