In this episode, Karen Kirton discusses the key HR, people, and culture considerations for businesses moving into a new year. With significant changes in workplace legislation, evolving workforce expectations, and the need to stay proactive, she outlines critical areas to focus on to ensure compliance, engagement, and business success.

In today’s episode, you will learn about:

• Budgeting for HR and workforce planning
  • January is a peak time for resignations, so it’s important to plan for recruitment costs, agency fees, and time commitments needed for hiring.
  • Reviewing bonus structures and recognition programs to ensure they remain engaging and effective for employees.
• Employee engagement, training, and team development
  • Increased focus on team days and training as hybrid work continues, requiring structured planning and budgeting.
  • Scheduling development activities in advance to ensure participation and effectiveness.
  • Reviewing and upgrading work tools, technology, and home office setups to ensure employees have the right equipment to perform their roles effectively.
• Workplace health and safety (WHS) and employee well-being
  • Ensuring work-from-home setups remain compliant and don’t pose risks to employee health.
  • Reviewing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and their usage to ensure they provide proactive support.
• Compliance and major employment law changes
  • Recent updates to workplace legislation, including: 
    • Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill – affecting contract terms, salary structures, and employment agreements.
    • Respect@Work amendments – introducing positive duties on businesses to proactively prevent sexual harassment.
    • New regulations on flexible work, fixed-term contracts, unpaid parental leave, and anti-discrimination protections.
  • Upcoming webinar with Matthew Robinson, Partner at FCB Workplace Law, to provide practical guidance on these legislative changes and how businesses should prepare.
• Proactive risk management and assessments
  • The importance of conducting risk assessments for workplace health, compliance, and psychosocial risks.
  • Understanding enterprise bargaining changes, which may push more businesses toward negotiating agreements, even with competitors.

With these considerations, Karen provides a roadmap for businesses to start the year on the right foot, ensuring HR processes are aligned with legal requirements, employee expectations, and business objectives.

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We’d love your feedback on this series, just head on over to Amplify HR or connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

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