Episode 90 reviews the year and outlines major workplace risks ahead for employers, focusing on wage theft legislation, Fair Work Ombudsman actions, and mounting payroll compliance challenges. Tim discusses upcoming changes, Payday Super, the NES review (including potential reproductive leave and reduced work hours), the rise in compliance burdens, and how businesses may respond with redundancies, offshoring, and technology. Practical steps and cautionary examples are offered for small and medium businesses to prepare for investigations, undertakings, and the shifting relationship between unions, government and industry in 2026.   Show links:  Donations to the ALP: https://donation.watch/en/australia/party/ALP/donors  Visit The HR Cartel www.hrcartel.com  Join the Cartel! - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehrcartel/?viewAsMember=true  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hr_cartel/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566832529478   

In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, we lift the lid on the quiet war being waged against small and medium-sized business owners across Australia. From absurd legal decisions to bureaucratic red tape and a national narrative that assumes employers are always the villain, the warning signs are everywhere. We break down what’s happening in real-time: how workplace tribunals, regulators, courts, and unions are moving in lockstep, whether intentionally or not, to stack the odds against you. I talk about the fear, the silence, and the slow erosion of business autonomy as employers get buried under complexity, suspicion, and ever-tightening control. This isn’t about scaremongering. This is about recognising the pattern, so you don’t become the next one to get caught off guard by a regulator, sued by a casual, or publicly dragged for doing the right thing, but not doing it perfectly. If you run a business, employ people, or advise those who do, this episode is a wake-up call. Because whether it’s workers’ comp, casual conversion, sham contracting accusations, or tribunal overreach… the noose is tightening.   www.hrcartel.com  Tim Dive speaking at the International Small Business Summit - Gold Coast - "Why we need IR Reform" - Small Business Association of Australia - Get Your Ticket Here  Join the Cartel! - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehrcartel/?viewAsMember=true  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hr_cartel/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566832529478 

We chat at length with HR Cartel Member, Founder & Director of PD Project Delivery, Paul Doherty. We discuss the realities of starting a business, building a team, and the difficulties of the changing "Director" role every business owner faces with growth and success. We discuss the amazing opportunities all people in Australia have at their fingertips, and what kind of attitude passion and drive is needed to succeed in the workplace and in business.  Show Links:  Paul Doherty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-doherty-69501249/  PD Project Delivery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdprojectdelivery/  PD Project Delivery Website: https://pdprojectdelivery.com/  The HR Cartel Business Luncheon with Dominique Lamb - Bowen Hills Brisbane 20 November 2025 - Free to attend - REGISTER HERE  Tim Dive speaking at the International Small Business Summit - Gold Coast - "Why we need IR Reform" - Small Business Association of Australia - Get Your Ticket Here  Join the Cartel! - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel Book a Session with The HR Cartel here - https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online     

We answer the question: Is it now impossible to be an Aussie employer, without breaking the law?  The answer is frightening.  We also discuss some of the most recent absurdities, like an employee receiving Qld Long Service after working just 11 days in the State AND being declined for it in Victoria.  A summary and clarity on the $1B underpayment issue for Coles and Woollies and what it means for the rest of us.  Plus some more ridiculousness we all need to know.  Want to Join the Cartel? Of course you do! https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel  Want to book in a IR or HR consulting session with the Advice team? https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online  How about a copy of our IR forecast? https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast   

Australia’s workplace rules just changed and the cost for small business is about to skyrocket.Tim breaks down award wage hikes, the court ruling that makes annual salaries unpredictable, and why BHP’s 750 job cuts are a warning sign for every SME. Get the steps you must take now to protect your business before the next wave of IR changes hits.   Want to know more about The HR Cartel? https://www.hrcartel.com/ Download our Free Industrial Relations Forecast: https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast  Want advice? go to https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online Want to get in touch? https://www.hrcartel.com/contact  Korn Ferry Wage Gap Analysis: https://www.kornferry.com/au/insights/are-your-hr-leaders-ready-for-pay-transparency#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%20still%20see%20a%20big,The%20ROI%20on%20Pay%20Transparency     

In this episode, we unpack the growing sense of a coordinated siege against Australian employers. From government policies, to meddling in tribunal proceedings, to blocking employer's seeking support from the Commission, to union campaigns, tribunals operating with selective transparency, and regulators who appear increasingly activist. Small to medium-sized business owners are finding themselves in a storm of compounding pressure. We break down: Why many employers are losing trust in the Fair Work system The dangerous precedent set by recent Qantas and franchise wage cases How workplace regulators are treating compliance errors like criminal intent The weaponisation of legislation, that will wipe out smaller businesses And how unions are leveraging political influence to force unworkable workplace outcomes www.hrcartel.com    Want to book an advice session? https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online    

In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, we break down one of the most talked-about industrial relations cases in recent history; the Qantas outsourcing saga that led to a staggering $90 million penalty, including a $50 million pay out to the Transport Workers Union. We unpack what really happened behind the headlines: Why Qantas’ decision to outsource was technically legal and yet they still lost. How the reverse onus system empowered the TWU to pursue the case without concrete evidence. Why this judgment has supercharged incentives for unions and law firms to run high-stakes actions against employers. What this means for small and medium-sized businesses who may now face more aggressive claims. Practical takeaways for employers on outsourcing, redundancies, and protecting yourself against adverse action claims. This isn’t just about Qantas. It’s about a seismic shift in the IR landscape that every Australian employer needs to understand. If you employ people, especially in a unionised environment, this episode could save you from costly mistakes. Listen now and stay ahead of the game. Want to book an advice session?  https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online    Links:  Café Owners Event - 1 September 2025 - Gold Coast: https://www.goldcoastcentralchamber.com.au/cafe-success-program/ Purchase The Chairman's Lounge by Joe Aston - CLICK HERE   

In this episode Tim breaks down the Productivity Roundtable and two hot-button IR reviews that matter to every small and medium employer: the part-time employment review and the “right to disconnect.” Tim explains why rigid minimum-engagement rules are locking potential workers out of the labour market, why more prescriptive right-to-disconnect rules would be pointless, and what practical, low-pain changes employers and the Fair Work Commission should adopt. You’ll also get Tim’s tactical guidance on using remuneration and incentives to drive performance. The HR Cartel has put to the Commission submissions for their reviews - available at the show links below. If you run a small business and want pragmatic, no-nonsense advice to lower your risk and increase productivity, this episode is for you. Visit www.hrcartel.com to get resources and join the conversation.   Join the Cartel - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel  Book a Session - Get Advice - https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online  Get our 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast - https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast   Show Links:  Fair Work Commission Submission - Part Time Employment Review Submission  Fair Work Commission Statement - Right to Disconnect https://media.licdn.com/dms/document/media/v2/D561FAQFd_yVgCgdyQg/feedshare-document-pdf-analyzed/B56ZjLjczIG0Ag-/0/1755761729408?e=1756944000&v=beta&t=TrU5p3KC--vIs7bRwZf-4SHpdfMgN64NDrrPUZq8Be8      

In this punchy episode, Tim returns to unload on the recent chaos in Australia’s industrial relations scene. With a sharp eye on what’s happening at the Fair Work Commission, the Productivity Roundtable, and the growing overreach of regulators, Tim calls it as he sees it: a system that is increasingly hostile to employers, especially small and medium-sized ones. From the hypocritical decisions made by Fair Work to the clueless signs from government on the real productivity crisis, this episode rips through the noise and exposes just how disorganised and misaligned Australia’s workplace system has become. If you're an employer who's sick of carrying the load while being told you're the problem, this one’s for you. Have an urgent issue and need to book in for advice? https://www.hrcartel.com/book-online  Want to join the Cartel? Go to https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel  Download the 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast   

In this week’s episode, I break down the Fair Work Commission’s $66 million decision against BHP under the new “Same Job, Same Pay” legislation, and what it really means for every other employer in Australia. While this case targeted a mining giant, it’s the thousands of small and medium businesses who’ll feel the ripple effects. I unpack how the ACTU’s political powerplay has reshaped the workforce, how misguided Fair Work commentary is throwing fuel on the fire, and why this kind of decision is the death knell for employer-led productivity. Whether you agree with BHP’s model or not, the Commission's hypocrisy is staggering. Tune in for a brutal but honest reflection on where we’re heading.   www.hrcartel.com 

This week, Tim dives into a Fair Work Commission decision that, thankfully, was a win for common sense. After a council worker pushed back on being forced to participate in an Acknowledgement of Country at a routine pre-start meeting, Traditional Corporate HR jumped into overdrive with a misconduct process that ended in termination. But the Commission disagreed. This episode unpacks why the decision matters, how it protects employees from ideological overreach, and the growing concern of activist HR professionals turning workplaces into compliance traps. It’s a warning, a reminder, and a turning point. Employers, leaders, and employees: listen close. You’ll want to understand what this case just made crystal clear. Join the Cartel: https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel Get our 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast: https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast  

In this episode, Tim Dive lays out his blueprint for an Australian industrial relations overhaul, as if he were Prime Minister. Drawing on recent government overreach (5,000+ new rules in three years) and the Fair Work Commission’s tone-deaf stance toward small employers, Tim proposes splitting the Commission into a Small Business Division (≤50 staff) and a Big Business Division, mandating productivity-impact reviews for every Award change, and restricting Union bargaining to larger firms, while preserving workers’ safety-nets and genuine right to representation. He explains how this model would unleash innovation, simplify compliance, and drive real productivity gains for companies of all sizes. Download our 2025 Industrial Relations Forecast here: https://www.hrcartel.com/2025-industrial-relations-forecast Join the Cartel - https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartelwww.hrcartel.com Contact us: https://www.hrcartel.com/contact   

In this episode, we look at a perfect example of employee entitlement, and explore COST - including above-inflation wage rises handed down by the Fair Work Commission. We expose the cost pressures threatening nearly every small and medium business in Australia, and explore the warnings from recent fair work decisions about offshore contracting traps. We also reveal the untapped flexibility hidden in modern awards. You’ll learn how to consult your workforce before reshaping roles, and practical steps like probationary redundancies, and smarter supplier categorisation to gain more bang for every payroll buck. Tune in, arm yourself with clear-cut strategies, and keep your business tight.   Haven't joined the Cartel yet? What are you waiting for?  https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel 

In this mid-year update, Tim dives deep into the shifting sands of Australian industrial relations. With wage rises, gender-based award adjustments, superannuation hikes, and a flood of new IR regulations hitting small and medium-sized employers, it’s never been more critical to know exactly what’s coming and how to prepare. Tim breaks down the Fair Work Commission’s recent wage decision, owns a learning curve on gender-based award increases, and highlights looming threats from wage theft criminalisation and sham contracting to Greens Party policy drives for shorter workweeks and paid leave for casuals. He also exposes a surge in Fair Work case numbers that should set off alarm bells for anyone running a business. This episode doesn’t just diagnose the problems; it arms you with practical steps; audit your payroll now, leverage award flexibilities, and reinforce your documentation so you can navigate the next twelve months without losing sleep or money. If you care about the future of your workplace and want to stay ahead of the curve, tune in for a no-nonsense forecast and survival guide.   Go to https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel - scroll to the Application section to apply to join the Cartel - the most proactive and protective HR/IR support for Small to Medium sized employers. 

In this raw and unfiltered episode, we take a hard look at the current landscape for Australian employers. From record-high insolvencies in hospitality and construction to the mounting pressures of wage rises and legislation changes, the real cost of doing business in 2025 is becoming clearer, and more dangerous. We break down alarming statements from Fair Work Commission leadership, unpack the ideology dominating Australia’s IR system, and explain how it impacts your ability to run, grow, or even retain staff in your business. You’ll hear why so many small business owners are worried, and why they’re right to be. We also share proven retention strategies you can implement right now to secure your workforce through this turbulent period. If you're a business owner, leader, or HR decision-maker, this is an essential listen.   Want to become part of the Cartel?  Go to www.hrcartel.com

In this episode of the HR Cartel, host Tim Dive dives deep into the reality facing Australian business owners post-election. With a government that shows no signs of lifting the cost burden on small and medium-sized employers, Tim breaks down the pressing challenges and what business leaders must now do to survive. From skyrocketing wage costs and new criminal liabilities under wage theft laws, to the real-world implications of workplace performance management, this episode is a must-listen for every employer, manager, and HR lead trying to navigate the current IR landscape. If you've found yourself wondering whether performance management systems are worth the investment—or questioning how much further you can cut without collapsing your workforce—this conversation is for you. 📌 Topics include: Why cost-cutting in business is misunderstood What “performance management” should actually look like in SMEs How political ideology is shaping IR outcomes What you need to do now to avoid non-compliance and survive the next wave of reform This is one of the most frank conversations we’ve had yet.   Visit www.hrcartel.com to join the community, access the compliance portal, and stay protected.

In this explosive episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive dives deep into a high-stakes restraint of trade case where an ex-employee tried to take $120M worth of tender intel to a direct competitor, and the courts actually stepped in. 📌 Interim restraint orders were granted—three months after the employee had already jumped ship, proving that restraint clauses can work… when they’re written properly. But just as courts begin backing employers, the current government is moving to wipe out restraint clauses for 90% of Australian workers. So what now? Tim unpacks: The case details and why this win matters for employers The IR changes coming if Labor retains power The contract clauses you must update NOW before laws change How to shield your business before the protections disappear If you have sales, BD, or leadership staff—and your business relies on client relationships—you need to hear this. 🎧 Listen now. Protect what’s yours.   www.hrcartel.com 

Episode 073: The 10 Adjustments Employers Are Making to Survive the Next 12-24 Months In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive breaks down the real-world moves smart employers are making right now to tackle rising costs, productivity loss, and compliance risks in an increasingly hostile business environment. With union wish lists becoming law, wage theft risks on the rise, and Fair Work changes biting hard, the next year won’t be easy for small and medium business owners. So how do you stay afloat—without sacrificing your people or your performance?Tim unpacks the 10 macro, micro, and policy adjustments that employers are using to cut costs, reduce risk, and keep control over their business. Learn about: Redesigns, restructures, and when to pull the redundancy lever Outsourcing HR, finance, and marketing the smart way The compliance traps of double and triple dipping (and why it could land you in jail) How AI is replacing roles and improving productivity right now Why performance management (done properly) is your best weapon If you’re an employer who’s ready to stop playing defence and start leading smarter—this episode is for you.   To apply for membership to the Cartel, go to https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel scroll down and complete the form.   

“Activism in the Fair Work Commission: A Wake-Up Call for Employers” In this firecracker episode, we take the gloves off and call out an alarming trend: ideological activism embedded in the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman. With a controversial decision just handed down, targeting modern awards through the lens of gender-based undervaluation, we ask the tough questions no one else is willing to: Is the Commission becoming a political weapon? Are employers being punished in the name of “equality”? Who really ends up paying for 30–64% award wage hikes? (Spoiler: it’s you.) From pharmacy and childcare to aged care and health services, this episode exposes how well-meaning social agendas can destroy small business viability, and why this kind of economic activism is completely misplaced. 🔥 Expect bold takes, raw truth, and the kind of HR commentary that actually defends employers. If you’re tired of being the one paying the price for other people’s ideologies, this one is for you. 🎧 Listen now. Push back harder. #TheHRCartel   www.hrcartel.com 

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Tim Dive sits down with one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs, Phillip Di Bella; founder of Di Bella Coffee and The Coffee Commune, and passionate advocate for small business. Together, they cut through the noise and dive deep into the real state of play for business owners in Australia. From red tape and rising costs, to leadership mindset and why trust in government is fading, nothing is off limits. This is not your average business podcast episode. It’s a straight-talking, truth-telling convo between two people who live and breathe business, and who aren’t afraid to say the quiet parts out loud. Whether you're in hospitality, construction, retail, or professional services, this one is for you. Expect insights, fire, and practical gold for running a business in a post-pandemic, pre-election world.   Key themes: The daily reality of small business owners in 2025 Phillip’s take on government red tape and leadership failure Why many business owners feel “on their own” right now The true cost of over-regulation How to lead with resilience (and guts) https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ https://www.hrcartel.com/