Managing people

You should discuss the matter with the employee in private to determine why he or she feels they must leave. Ask whether the issue is employment related and if anything could be done to increase their chances of staying on.

The first step is to put your decision in writing and hold a meeting with the staff member. You should also consider having a third party attend and inviting the staff member to bring a third party too.

sually a business will fire an employee if they have either clearly broken a workplace policy, or have committed a serious crime. However, it is more likely a sacking will occur when a policy has been broken. These can relate to occupational health and safety regulations, sexual harassment or even privacy. You are right to expect a reasonable level of behaviour in your workplace, and if this is not being met, following a number of warnings, you may be able to fire the employee. Some of these grounds could include theft, fraud, violence or the threat of violence and breaching health and safety policies. Also consider policies around information technology and what staff are, or aren’t, allowed to share over corporate networks and the internet. Breaches of policy could include sharing pornography over a network, or giving out other inappropriate material. Monitor the use of social media. Following some recent legal cases there are now grounds to fire staff based on comments made on social media – especially if those comments are made during work. Make sure these policies and procedures are clear, documented and are known to all employees. No staff member should have an excuse if a workplace policy is broken.

You should first be absolutely sure the redundancy is necessary for the business to continue. Fair Work will only accept that a redundancy is genuine if you are unable to move the employee to another role or area within the business.

If you are employing casual or part-time employees, you will need to contact Fair Work and get advice on what awards will apply to your industry and subsequent pay rates.

A new survey shows small businesses are better at engaging employees than their larger counterparts because they offer incentives other than big pay packets.

If one of your personal branding words is “witty” then have a list of amusing things you could throw into conversations.

The most important people to think about at this time of year are the people who really matter in your business – your clients.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions says employers could force their staff to work on Christmas Day unless an extra public holiday is declared.

A handwritten note is a quick and cheap way to show your actually care about you employees, and do value their contribution to your business.

One of the things that most distresses me when I meet entrepreneurs is that some have very little idea about the numbers that sit behind their business.

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.

According to a leading academic, employers should tolerate their staff using online forums to shop and socialise at work because they make up for it at home.

Small businesses offering paid parental leave have been urged to start preparing for July 1, 2011, when employers will be required to distribute payments to eligible employees.

Businesses are always trying to cut costs. Why don’t you try outsourcing it… to your staff?

Your staff will all be expecting (and perhaps slightly dreading) your speech, but doing a little something extra will make the thank you a bit more memorable and meaningful.

I was at a formal boardroom lunch the other day when I got up to leave the table and put my serviette on my plate.

Many SMEs have a strange and sometimes strained relationship with their suppliers, and for one very good reason – suppliers can make or break a business.

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

HR expert says start-ups should prioritise outcomes over hours worked to attract and retain staff.

A new survey suggests start-ups could be affected by a ‘baby boomer brain drain’ in 2011.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

Handshakes, ah well this is just like anything dairy – it’s either great or it leaves a terrible taste in your mouth.

According to a sales and marketing expert start-ups facing skills shortages this Christmas should take advantage of government funding to up-skill their existing staff.

Google was recently named by Australians as the most desirable place in the world to work, yet again. Here are the reasons why.