EP#222 ~ Translating policy into practice: What do the new Industrial Relations laws mean for your business?

By Alexi Boyd | Tuesday February 13

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #222
Broadcast date: 13th February 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guest: Natasha Hawker, Managing Director Employee Matters

It is all the politicians and business leaders are talking about right now: the new Industrial Relations Reforms passed by Parliament recently after months and months of negotiations. The business groups representing small businesses aren’t happy, the industry associations having been campaigning for months, and small businesses themselves and once again, lost. I suppose they’ll have their say at the next election. But in the meantime, when all the dust settles on leaders’ and the media’s perspectives, what does that mean for you, the small business person?

Luckily, an expert with decades of experience joined us to take us through these changes and the myriad of other laws which have also recently dropped; Natasha Hawker from Employee Matters.

We chatted about Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy... and what small businesses can expect when these recent laws coming into affect.

PEOPLE - How is small business coping with these changes to IR? What is the best advice you can give small business people on how to manage all these changes coming down the pipeline?

POLICY - Can you walk us through the main changes which have recently been legislated recently and when and how small businesses can expect this to take effect in their business? Respect@Work, People at Work (psychosocial hazards) D&FV Leave and the process, Pay secrecy

PURPOSE - Why in your opinion has the Government felt these changes to workplace laws are necessary? What do you hear from your clients in response to the changes they need to make? What are the risks if you do nothing? When did the changes come into effect?

Natasha Hawker is the Managing Director of Employee Matters and a leader in the Australian HR space. She uses her 29 years of HR and business experience to alleviate 'employee headaches.' From large corporations to startups, she's worked with clients across a diverse range of industries. Her business acumen and commitment to sustainability made Employee Matters a NSW State Finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards and she's an Amazon best-selling author of 'From Hire to Fire & Everything in Between.

Founded in 2011, Employee Matters provides employee support to businesses who want to maximise profitability through their employees but struggle with hiring the best, understanding the legislation and firing non-performers. She could see the frustrations, time wasted and trouble that business was getting into and could see that many businesses were not fully utilising their employee resources to get maximum productivity.

To find out more go to: https://www.employeematters.com.au