The HR Advisor

A recently released ‘Global Resilience Diagnostic Report 2016-2017’ compiled the opinions of almost 27,000 professional employees over a period of six years. This report analysed the ‘resilience’ of these employees.  Resilience was defined as “the learned ability to demonstrate bounce, courage, connection and creativity”.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a manager is coaching a team member to successful performance. Coaching is a skill that can be learned and refined in the same way that you can learn and refine any skill.

Coaching differs from traditional management. Traditional management often involves telling employees exactly what to do and how to do it. When you coach, you gently guide the employee to find their own solutions.

Under the Fair Work Act, employees are entitled to 20 days (or 4 weeks) annual leave per year.  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  However, we receive many questions around ‘when’ and ‘how’ annual leave can be taken.  So here are a few quick tips and suggestions for managing annual leave.

Employers should issue employees warnings in writing before ending their employment.

While you don’t have to give warnings, if an employee makes an unfair dismissal claim, the Fair Work Commission may consider whether you gave the employee a warning or gave them an opportunity to improve their performance.

One of your employees has just handed in their notice – right at the worst possible time for your business. What should you do?

When an employee gets to the point of handing in their notice, they have already psychologically left your business. Avoid asking “What would it take to make you stay”, or offering to give them a raise if they stay.

There are a number of things that can help tell the difference between an employee and a contractor. There isn’t one thing that makes the difference on its own – you need to consider everything together.

Employees usually:

• do ongoing work that is controlled by their employer
• work hours they’re told to work by their employer

Unfortunately, accidents do happen.  Car accidents, workplace accidents, sporting injuries, stress, cancer, or simply slipping over when you do the weekly shop all create injuries that can require extended time off work.

Getting people to return to work as quickly as possible is good for both you as a business, and for the employee in terms of their psychological wellbeing.

Make sure you give them a Fair Work Information Statement.

Employers are required to give all new employees a Fair Work Information Statement before, or as soon as possible after, they commence working.

The Fair Work Information Statement is available in 27 languages and includes information about: