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Woolworths argued that the retail award’s prescriptive rostering rules prevented it from giving managers the flexibility of a modern workplace.

Overtime rates for retail workers could be axed in employer push

Major supermarkets and other retailers have joined a case to exempt senior staff from award conditions, waive “outdated” smoko breaks and allow split shifts.

  • David Marin-Guzman
Some studies have found modern technologies have weakened our cognitive abilities. So, could using AI turn us into robotic workers?

Will AI make you dumber?

It’s a question that some HR bosses are pondering, albeit in less dramatic terms. And an academic paper might hold some answers.

  • Euan Black

More disruption warning after strikes cause flight delays

Stoppages by 1000 baggage handlers caused hours of delays to international flights at Sydney Airport, with the union threatening further action.

  • Updated
  • David Marin-Guzman

Path cleared for wantaway division to divorce ‘toxic’ CFMEU

Fair Work Commission approves a poll of 10,000 manufacturing division members on splitting from the broader union.

  • David Marin-Guzman

Data-driven HR: Unlocking greater influence with the C-suite

HR needs the backing of data to inform and support decision-making, influence business strategy and earn a seat at the table.

ASX governance council splits over DEI

Business groups want to water down the proposed rules for boards to report on diversity characteristics, amid a backlash following Donald Trump’s re-election.

  • Patrick Durkin and James Eyers

Executive Education

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Recent columns

‘You would be tone-deaf’ to ignore Trump’s ESG backlash

Macquarie Group director Jillian Broadbent says companies need to be sensible about their push for greater diversity, particularly when faced with immediate challenges such as a cost of living crisis.

FWC case tests Labor’s ‘same job, same pay’ word to BHP

The government assured business the legislation was limited to labour hire providers. Now the minister says the concepts of labour hire and service contractors are “not mutually exclusive”.

Graeme Watson

Former Fair Work Commission vice-president

Graeme Watson

The thing about rich bosses

Wealthy managers are increasingly isolated from the less well-off at work and that’s not good news.

Pilita Clark

Columnist

Pilita Clark

Why DEI should be here to stay but under another name

Organisations will need to rethink the language they are using to communicate their diversity strategies, focusing on language that builds broader support.

Elizabeth Shaw

Consultant

Elizabeth Shaw
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Jillian Broadbent, Macquarie director.

‘You would be tone-deaf’ to ignore Trump’s ESG backlash

Macquarie Group director Jillian Broadbent says companies need to be sensible about their push for greater diversity, particularly when faced with immediate challenges such as a cost of living crisis.

  • Patrick Durkin and Hans van Leeuwen

This Month

Ten CEOs share their favourite productivity hacks

For many of our CEOs, more useful than apps and computer programs were strategies that helped them zero in on the work that matters most.

  • Euan Black and Sally Patten
Elizabeth Johnstone, chair of the ASX Corporate Governance Council.

ASX diversity rules in limbo amid Trump DEI backlash

New rules requiring listed companies to report on diversity measures remain up in the air, after the ASX’s governance council refused to put a timeline on finalising the changes.

  • Patrick Durkin, Angela Macdonald-Smith and Hannah Wootton
BHP’s Peak Downs mine is one of the three mines targeted under the same job, same pay laws.

Unions want ‘same-looking job, same pay’: BHP

BHP lawyers have urged the umpire to adopt a “big picture” approach to exemptions from same job, same pay laws for the company’s labour hire firms.

  • David Marin-Guzman
Founder Diaa Shaker

Mastering business partnerships

Strengthening your inner circle with business partners that understand your needs goes a long way toward success.

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Craig Drummond says DEI policies will continue, but they need to consider all perspectives.

Directors brace for Trump’s DEI dismantling

Australian company directors are not willing to backtrack on hard-won gains in gender diversity and inclusion, but are preparing for employee and customer pushback.

  • Patrick Durkin and Hannah Wootton
Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson urged staff not to resign after securing a path to arbitration.

Arbitration won’t change psychiatrists’ resignation plans: union

The workplace umpire’s urgent intervention has failed to stop the threat of a mass exit of doctors that could deplete the NSW hospitals’ workforce by a third.

  • David Marin-Guzman and Paul Karp
BHP estimated in 2023 that the Albanese government’s labour-hire laws could cost the miner an extra $1.3 billion in annual operating costs.

The gap between providing ‘labour’ and ‘services’ could be $49k a year

Workers employed by BHP subsidiaries and labour-hire firms are paid much less to do the same work as its direct workforce, unions argue in a major test case.

  • Euan Black
Chad Burke, head of online pet speciality retailer Swaggle, says he “killed the PowerPoint culture” to more quickly get to the nub of an issue.

Why this young retail boss ‘killed the PowerPoint culture’

Chad Burke, head of Swaggle, an online pet specialty retailer owned by Coles, cut down on slide decks in meetings to promote better collaboration.

  • Euan Black
This is but one example of recent changes in industrial relations legislation growing in significance at a time when Australia can least afford it.

FWC case tests Labor’s ‘same job, same pay’ word to BHP

The government assured business the legislation was limited to labour hire providers. Now the minister says the concepts of labour hire and service contractors are “not mutually exclusive”.

  • Graeme Watson
It may seem like you need to be seen to be noticed in the competitive corporate world, but there are plenty of ways for introverts to get ahead.

The thing about rich bosses

Wealthy managers are increasingly isolated from the less well-off at work and that’s not good news.

  • Pilita Clark
DEI efforts have been blamed for everything from the Los Angeles fires to Mark Zuckerberg not being able to bring his “masculine energy” to work.

Why DEI should be here to stay but under another name

Organisations will need to rethink the language they are using to communicate their diversity strategies, focusing on language that builds broader support.

  • Elizabeth Shaw

No comment: DEI debate too controversial for corporate Australia

Amid reports of increased employee opposition, the question over the future of diversity and inclusion programs appears to be too hot to touch.

  • Euan Black
Imogen Lucas is about to head to Sydney University to study commerce.

Gen Z know what they want to study, and it’s usually medicine

As school-leavers prepare to head to university, they are particularly keen on becoming doctors. But the good old arts degree is still popular.

  • Julie Hare
Sydney train drivers are among those striking over pay. They earn an average annual salary of $128,196 a year, including overtime and bonuses.

What train drivers, psychiatrists and others get paid

The recent spate of disruptive industrial disputes between governments and public sector workers has sparked conversations about how much these employees earn.

  • Euan Black
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Luke Sayers, pictured with wife Cate, is under scrutiny from the AFL.

Luke Sayers engages lawyer over lewd photo on X account

A spokesman for the Carlton Football Club president also said he was co-operating with an AFL integrity unit investigation.

  • Hannah Wootton
Meta is one of the latest companies to join the stampede of organisations scaling back diversity initiatives.

The skills business leaders need to navigate DEI backlash

The ability to build common ground will be critical for any business looking to create resilient and cohesive teams that thrive.

  • Sandra Peter
PwC partner Elizabeth Shaw says resistance to DEI programs is building partly because companies have not always done a good job of explaining how they benefit all employees.

Australian workers push back against DEI programs

Employee resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is rising in Australia as companies struggle to explain the rationale for them.

  • Euan Black
ANU chancellor Julie Bishop and vice chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell.

No mention of Bell’s Intel job in key ANU council meeting minutes

The minutes of a meeting to endorse Genevieve Bell as the next head of ANU appear to undermine the claim her role with Intel was “highlighted”.

  • Julie Hare
COVID-19 presenteeism has a multiplying effect, with one infected worker capable of sending the whole floor home.

Driving innovation

Join the most influential voices shaping the future of Australia’s workforce to unpack on the critical issues reshaping how we work, lead, and collaborate.

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