For small and medium-sized businesses, bringing on a new employee is exciting. The probationary period, usually the first six months, provides an opportunity for both the employer and the employee to see if they align. Too often, however, businesses treat probation as a formality rather than a structured, two-way process. By scheduling regular meetings and using this time wisely, employers can set their new hires up for success while protecting the business from costly missteps. Why Probation Matters for Both Sides A probationary period isn’t just about “testing” a new hire. It’s a time for alignment. For the employer, it’s about ensuring that the employee has the right skills, behaviours, and cultural fit for the role. For the employee, it’s about confirming that the job and workplace live up to expectations and align to their value set. Regular meetings during probation ensure that both sides have a voice in shaping the relationship.....

Running a growing business is exciting, but it also comes with people challenges that can’t be solved by gut instinct alone. Many small and medium-sized businesses delay bringing in HR until a crisis hits. By then, the cost （both financial and cultural) can be significant. So, when is the right time to bring in HR? And what if you don’t need, or can’t afford a full-time HR manager yet?....

For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), the concept of “career development” once meant sending employees on a training course and ticking a box. But as workforces become more diverse and expectations shift, the old one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. Today’s employees want growth that feels personal, meaningful, and adaptable to their unique career paths. For SMEs, this is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity.....

Ageism in hiring, a missed opportunity in our workplaces. Age-related bias in recruitment remains a subtle but persistent issue in Australia’s workforce. While many people nearing the later stages of their career journey are eager to stay engaged and contribute meaningfully, their wealth of experience and insights isn’t always fully recognize or utilize in the hiring process.....

Currently, I am getting an increasing amount of SMB owners who are grappling with the right employment agreement to offer their potential new employee, there have been some changes.....

We’ve all heard about the benefits of remote work during the 2020 global pandemic. For some, it offers a quieter, more productive working space and greater flexibility around family responsibilities. Yet remote work and digital connection don’t suit everyone. Some workers are factory based, while others rely on direct interaction with the public to complete their daily tasks. So, how does today’s business strike the right balance in their workforce?....

Starting a new job is daunting. That’s why a proper system of induction and onboarding is vital to put new hires at ease, introduce them to your business practices and prime them to succeed. Our induction and onboarding checklists can help you navigate this complex area, boosting your chance of success.....

When you screen candidates properly, you are far more likely to make a perfect match. It sounds so easy, doesn’t it? Yet hiring is a complex process requiring thought, structure and resources to find the right person for the role. Experienced HR consultants rely on their own, proven ways of finding, assessing and interviewing candidates to locate prime talent.....

As an employer, you know the roles and responsibilities of every job in every department. You understand just how important it is to define each position in a clear and inclusive way. But if actually writing all that down is too daunting, or you're just too stretched, this guide can help you craft a fit-for-purpose job description which really cuts through.....

Changes to Parental Leave Changes in the parental leave payment scheme took effect from July 1 this year, with important implications for employers across Australia. Now your employees can claim under the Paid Parental Leave scheme in one fixed period and one flexible period. What doesn’t change is how the employee is paid. Most payments of this scheme are paid to the employer who then pays the employee. However, the employee can also choose to have the payment directly from the Australian Government.....