How to Transform a Toxic Workplace for a Productive 2019

  A toxic workplace culture can place significant barriers in the way of achieving business objectives. If toxicity has invaded your office, it is likely that you are dealing with staff who are unproductive, resentful, unmotivated and perhaps difficult to discipline – and it can affect senior managers to junior employees. This can have significant […]

Putting the ‘Reasonable Person’ to the Test

  When determining what led to a certain set of events or making an important decision, it is essential for investigators and decision makers to have regard to an objective standard. In trying to get to the bottom of a situation or establishing an appropriate course of action, relying on the ‘reasonable person’ ensures that […]

Dealing with Absconding Staff over Christmas

  The Christmas period tends to bring out the best- and worst – in people. It is a time of year filled with parties, merriment, laughter, great weather and a lot of socialising. But Christmas can also be a challenging time in the workplace, as employees may engage in inappropriate conduct at work related social […]

Protecting Whistleblowers: Are You Ready for the Changes?

  With new whistleblower protections to take effect in early 2019, it is essential that organisations understand the broad legislative changes to the Corporations Act 2001 due to be debated in Parliament. In addition to the requirement for formal mechanisms and strategies to protect and assist whistleblowers, both public and large private corporations will need […]

How to Prepare for a Difficult Conversation

  Engaging in a difficult workplace conversation is one of those tasks that most managers and business owners would prefer to avoid. Yet the reality is that from time to time, workplace behaviour or performance will be below par and will need to be addressed. The key to conducting a challenging conversation at work that […]

22 Types of Workplace Bullying Behaviour

  Bullying is the scourge of many workplaces. There are few things which destroy office morale, tear apart team cohesion or cause good staff to leave as quickly as victimisation and harassment in the workplace. Interestingly, research has identified 22 different types of bullying conduct which might be encountered in the average workplace. We outline […]

Overcoming Unconscious Bias

  When conducting investigations or otherwise making determinations in the workplace, it is essential to avoid bias, whether conscious or unconscious. It is equally important to avoid a situation where co-workers believe decisions made in the workplace are biased – whether real or perceived. What is unconscious bias? Unconscious bias may take a number of […]

Procurement and Corruption – The Warning Signs

  Effective procurement requires the ability to foster productive relationships and to secure the best possible terms within a contract or project. However, there can be a fine line between savvy negotiation and a gradual descent into corrupt and/or fraudulent behaviour. Despite robust legal and policy requirements relating to procurement activity, fraud is nevertheless an […]

Creating a Safe and Healthy Workplace For All

  Developing a positive working environment where all employees are supported is key to looking after the mental wellbeing of your staff, and freeing them up to be their most productive selves. A safe and healthy workplace is one which is inclusive and caters for the needs of all workers. According to the Australian Human […]