What is happening in the world of HR for small businesses?
Strawberry Seed Consulting is turning 11!
We have decided to share the celebrations with you! For our birthday month of May, when you book in for any public training programs, you can bring a friend for free. This offer can be used for any of the current programs listed in our calendar for 2024. It ends on the 31st of May, 2024.
To take advantage of this birthday offer, use the code 11BDAY2F1 at checkout. We have Leadership Training Workshops in Melbourne and Brisbane in May, and both have a few spots left. There are also Leadership Training Workshops in Perth, Sydney, and Adelaide scheduled for the second half of the year and Mental Health First Aid training throughout the year.
All details and booking links for training can be found here.
Bonus
If you book a Food For Thought session during May, you will receive a second session for free. These sessions can be booked at any point in 2024.
What is Food for Thought?
They are bite-sized learning opportunities that effectively promote continuous learning, collaboration, and team building. They can be held at a time that works best for your business. They are designed to allow your team to learn and discuss various topics related to their work, industry, personal development, or other relevant subjects. Sessions usually last an hour or so, fitting within a typical lunch break or whenever you choose.
Learn about the benefits of hosting a Food For Thought session here. Book in for a chat with one of our team to learn more about our Food For Thought series. Discounts may apply to existing clients.
Understanding Flexible Work Requests
There is a difference between a flexible work request and working flexibly.
A flexible work request is a formal request to adjust the employees’ working conditions, either ongoing or for a set period. Working flexibly may include a wide range of formal and informal practices, such as overtime, time-in-lieu or working from home occasionally, that allow flexibility for the employee and employer.
Some employees in Australia have a legal right to request flexible working arrangements under the Fair Work Act. Requests for flexible working arrangements form part of the National Employment Standards (NES). Eligibility includes:
- People over 55 years old
- People living with a disability
- Someone who is pregnant
- People caring for infants and school-age children
- Carers (as defined by the Carer Recognition Act 2010)
- Someone experiencing family and domestic violence or caring for someone who is.
Employers have obligations before they can refuse a request from an employee for a flexible working arrangement.
- Employers will have to consult with the employee to make a genuine effort to accommodate the request and only refuse the request on reasonable business grounds.
- The employer must respond in writing within 21 days of the request with an explanation of the reasonable business grounds for refusing, other changes the employer is willing to make or not make, and information about referring a dispute to the FWC.
The FWC can hear and make orders about disputes on flexible working arrangement requests if the parties can’t resolve the dispute at the workplace level.
Would you like to learn more about flexible work requests and different types of flexible work? Our latest webinar recording, Understanding Flexible Work Requests, will provide a deep dive into managing different scenarios.
Upcoming Training and Development
Webinar – 101 of HR for Physiotherapists
Our next free webinar will be held on the 15th of May, 2024, at 7.30 pm.
Our ‘101’ webinar series is designed to explore the details of managing employees in specific industries, allowing us to examine the details that matter.
Please join our Principal HR Advisor and Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Frances Orr, as she explains what physiotherapy businesses need to know regarding HR and Employment.
Bookings can be made here, and please feel free to pass this on to other business owners. Don’t worry if you can’t attend on the night. You will receive a recording to watch at your convenience.
All details and booking links for training and webinars can be found here.
Public Leadership Training Workshops for 2024
Last chance to book for our May workshops in Werribee and Brisbane!
One of our popular HR services is developing and delivering customised in-house leadership training for our clients. However, we realise that not all small businesses are large enough to have a session independently.
Our public Leadership Training Workshop is designed to bring together people managers from the small business community to share their experiences and develop their knowledge and skills to be better leaders. This workshop aims to ensure leaders get the most out of their people, improve productivity and reduce organisational risk.
Leadership Training Workshops are scheduled throughout the year in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Discount codes are available for HR Package clients. For more information and details on how to book, click here.
Mental Health First Aid Training for 2024
Mental Health First Aid training teaches practical first aid skills to help a team member or co-worker experiencing mental health issues. We’ll teach you how to approach someone struggling, ask the right questions and assist them in accessing professional help. In 2023, we delivered 13 courses nationwide, educating 128 people on Mental Health First Aid, including the whole team at Strawberry Seed.
Our Principal HR Advisor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Frances Orr, is an accredited MHFA trainer who has delivered in-house MHFA training for many clients since 2021.
We have several options for attending public and private in-house Mental Health First Aid training in 2024. For more information on private courses, contact mhfa@strawberryseed.com.au.
We have public Blended Online and Blended Face-to-Face workplace courses scheduled across the year. The details and dates for the upcoming sessions can be found here. Discount codes are available for HR Package clients.
