For many years within the human resources world ‘cultural fit’ has been a popular concept. A way to describe the mysterious and elusive je ne sais quoi that separates the employees who have a bright future in a company from the employees who don’t. Often the term ‘poor cultural fit’ will be used to justify…
Author: Brian Powles
Brian is an accredited specialist in employment and industrial relations law, who is partner of a successful boutique Sydney law firm. He also hosts the Working Knowledge podcast.
The Legal Issues That Crop Up During the Recruitment Process
Published 14 February 2016 With the holiday season behind us, many businesses will start the process of hiring new employees to fill positions that have become vacant over the past few months. There are legal risks involved in any recruitment process but with it brings the potential to add talented new employees into the organisation….
Parental Leave – the truth about ‘double dipping’
The ALP’s Parental leave scheme, enacted by the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth), was the result of a 585 page report from the Productivity Commission. It was not a perfect policy by anyone’s standards, but it was a measured and considered enactment. It has brought us a little closer to current international standards in government funded paid parental…
Legal challenge to Poker Machines not the first
I share the opinion that poker machines are a serious social problem. Research has shown the effects they have had on many people’s lives and families. Unlike the dangers of drinking, drugs and smoking, the negative effects of poker machines rarely result in direct physical harm. Therefore stakeholders, including the state and federal governments, are…
Hospitality and the Penalty Rates debate – are industry groups barking up the wrong tree?
We have spoken a few times this year in general terms about penalty rates, but I wanted to make some specific comments on the restaurant industry. I have advised many restaurants, and have concerns that their industry groups are focusing too much attention on political lobbying regarding Modern Award conditions and penalty rates. I believe the…
Following the leader, is a pinch of salt quite enough?
When it comes to business practices and innovation – the loudest opinions, not surprisingly, come from business innovators and successful entrepreneurs. The ability to think ‘outside the square’ is generally the thing that has made them successful. When they publicize their ideas, the business community are quick to promote them automatically as the new paradigm – what’s…