Recruitment

Advice Should I use a recruitment firm?

Recruitment firms are certainly worth using if you feel they’ll provide you with quality employees you can’t find on your own.

Advice How do I work out pay and leave levels?

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.

Advice How do I conduct an effective interview?

Make a shortlist of your preferred applicants, and then give them clear instructions, such as your business’s location, what they should bring, who they should ask for and how long the interview will last.

Advice How do I find the right people?

Fixing employment mistakes later down the line will cost you more time and money and could even put your business in jeopardy, so hiring the right people straight away is crucial.

Advice How many people does my business need?

You need to strike the right balance between having enough staff to keep the business growing, and keeping the company lean.

Taskmaster The job interview, the unhelpful receptionist and the missing pen

Tuesday, 05 March 2013 | By Taskmaster

Do you want to find the perfect employee? If so, the Taskmaster suggests you should start hiding your pens – here’s why.

News Penalty rates to remain unchanged in an Abbott government, angering SMEs

Friday, 01 March 2013 | By Yolanda Redrup

Under an Abbott government, the Productivity Commission could be charged with overhauling workplace laws, but penalty rates will remain unchanged.

News SMEs warned to get up to speed on new parental pay scheme

Thursday, 28 February 2013 | By Patrick Stafford

Just as businesses were getting used to the idea of the federal government's maternity leave scheme, experts are warning SMEs to stay on top of the latest addition to parental benefits – Dad and Partner Pay.

News Female entrepreneurs hindered by lack of confidence, report suggests

Thursday, 28 February 2013 | By Michelle Hammond

A lack of confidence and an “unconscious bias” could be holding back female entrepreneurs, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest Australian Social Trends report.

Features Hiring an apprentice: A start-up guide

Tuesday, 26 February 2013 | By Michelle Hammond

Hiring an apprentice can be very rewarding – both from a business and a personal perspective. Here is everything you need to be aware of before you start. BY MICHELLE HAMMOND.

News Sacked Sensis staff welcomed by new tech start-up

Monday, 25 February 2013 | By Michelle Hammond

The chief executive of Melbourne-based tech start-up Miiy has offered to find positions for retrenched Sensis staff within his company, which is developing a range of business services.

Taskmaster Why the Taskmaster is looking at jobs sites

Friday, 15 February 2013 | By Taskmaster

The Taskmaster has just spent part of the morning perusing LinkedIn, My Career, Seek and other major jobs websites. If you’re an entrepreneur, there’s a good reason why you should as well.

News Business critical of Fair Work push to police workplace bullying

Wednesday, 13 February 2013 | By Yolanda Redrup

Proposed law changes on workplace bullying complaints have business groups worried by the prospect of forum shopping litigants.

News Government details flexible work changes, experts say clarity still missing

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 | By Patrick Stafford

New legislation is on the cards for more flexible workplace arrangements, but industry groups say they are still in the dark about how it will work.

Taskmaster Spend money to make money

Monday, 11 February 2013 | By Taskmaster

Napoleon Perdis has suggested Australian department stores could reverse their fortunes by investing in staff. It’s a suggestion with implications far beyond the retail sector.

News Fair Work changes coming, business hesitant over flexible working rights

Monday, 11 February 2013 | By Patrick Stafford

Flexible work arrangements are very much on the election agenda, as Labor releases more details about legislation changes.

Taskmaster Turn your sales staff into “interns” one day each fortnight

Friday, 08 February 2013 | By Taskmaster

Yesterday, the Taskmaster outlined why it’s a good idea to have your staff spend one day per week or per fortnight in sales. But should your sales staff spend time in other departments?

News Franchisee cultural diversity on the rise

Thursday, 07 February 2013 | By Michelle Hammond

An expert has highlighted some of the challenges of hiring immigrant franchisees, after Retail Food Group said more than 50% of its successful franchisee applicants over the last six months spoke English as a second language.

News Unemployment rate remains steady but is set to weaken

Thursday, 07 February 2013 | By Michelle Hammond

Australia’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.4% in January, despite predictions it would rise, but NAB has warned the labour market will weaken as business conditions deteriorate.