The HR Cartel Podcast

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/   

"The Non-Compete Chaos & What It Really Means for Small Business" In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive delivers a raw and unfiltered breakdown of the recent and proposed workplace legislation changes that could drastically shift how small and medium-sized businesses operate in Australia. From the alarming plans to outlaw non-compete clauses to the ever-growing influence of unions, this episode cuts through the noise to ask one key question: who is really protecting the employer? Tim dives into: The true implications of removing non-compete clauses How small businesses are left exposed while trying to protect their people, clients, and intellectual property The shocking rise in regulatory red tape and union power Why the “right to disconnect” law was a pointless move What employers must start doing to protect their business and stay compliant What this all means ahead of the next federal election If you’re a business owner or leader in Australia, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.

In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim breaks down the real impact of the current Labor government’s workplace law reforms. Small and medium businesses are facing an unprecedented compliance burden, extra admin, higher operational costs, and serious risks for directors and managers. Tim cuts through the noise to show you exactly what’s changed, why it matters, and how it’s affecting business owners, leaders and managers. If you lead an Australian business with under 200 employees, this is for you. 💡 Learn how to protect your business, your board, and yourself in this new era of compliance. 🎧 Tune in for practical advice and no-nonsense insights.   Access membership benefits now, go to https://www.hrcartel.com/join-the-cartel    

With Tropical Cyclone Alfred looming off the coast, businesses across Queensland and Northern NSW are scrambling to prepare—not just for the storm, but for the workforce challenges that come with it. In this audio-only, remote episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive cuts through the confusion surrounding stand-down provisions, temporary shutdowns, and employer obligations during extreme weather events. With misinformation circulating, many business owners are unsure of their rights and options when it comes to managing their workforce in unpredictable conditions. What you'll learn in this episode: ✔️ Stand-down vs. Temporary Shutdown – What’s the difference? ✔️ Do you have to pay employees during a weather-related closure? ✔️ What legal risks should employers be aware of? ✔️ Practical steps to protect your business & workforce in emergencies.   If you're a business owner wondering what to do when disaster strikes, this episode gives clear, no-BS advice to keep your business compliant and protected.   go to www.hrcartel.com to become a HR Cartel member. 

In this episode of The HR Cartel, host Tim Dive discusses the evolving workplace compliance landscape in Australia. With the increasing complexities of regulations and the growing administrative burden on small and medium-sized businesses, Tim discusses the critical need for businesses to shift from mere compliance to strategic success. He explores: The Fair Work Commission's shifting dynamics, including the impact of leadership changes and union influence. How businesses can protect themselves from new laws and legal risks. The importance of leadership development, workforce training, and mentoring future leaders. Why small and medium-sized businesses need an internal workplace success scorecard to measure more than just compliance. Tim introduces the SME Workplace & Business Success Scorecard, a proactive tool designed to help employers benchmark performance, leadership strength, and operational sustainability—ensuring businesses thrive, not just survive. Join the conversation and discover why staying ahead of regulations isn’t enough—you need a strategy to grow, adapt, and lead in today’s compliance-heavy environment. For access to the HR Cartel membership and exclusive tools like the Workplace Success Scorecard, visit www.hrcartel.com.

As we charge into 2025, the challenges for Australian small and medium-sized businesses continue to grow. In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, host Tim Dove breaks down the key decisions business owners must make to stay ahead in an increasingly complex and high-risk environment. From the criminalisation of wage theft to skyrocketing labour costs, stricter compliance requirements, and economic uncertainty, businesses are facing a landscape that demands proactive adaptation. Tim discusses: HR & IR Compliance Risks – How new laws, including wage theft criminalisation, are increasing liability for business owners. Rising Business Costs & Economic Pressures – The impact of labour cost increases, cash flow constraints, and supply chain disruptions. Workforce Strategy & Talent Retention – Addressing skill shortages, mental health risks, and flexible work challenges. Digital Transformation & Automation – Where technology can streamline operations and where it might not be worth the investment. Government & Policy Changes – How ATO debt collection, superannuation increases, and regulatory shifts could impact your business. Business Model Adaptation – Is your current offering still fit for the market, or is it time for a strategic shift? Building Business Resilience – Planning for economic downturns, protecting reputation, and ensuring financial stability. With so much at stake, this episode provides essential insights and practical advice to help business owners navigate 2025 with confidence. Tune in now and ensure your business is prepared for the road ahead. For expert HR and IR support, visit www.hrcartel.com and join the HR Cartel today.

Is there such a thing as a risk-free termination? Not exactly—but there are smarter, safer ways to approach it. In this episode of The HR Cartel Podcast, Tim Dive breaks down the termination types that carry the least risk for employers, from probation periods and the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code to redundancies and high-income earners. But that’s not all. With small and medium-sized businesses under immense pressure—rising costs, regulatory overload, and insolvencies hitting record highs—Tim also unpacks how businesses can cut workforce costs strategically to avoid administration while staying compliant with Australia’s heavily regulated employment laws. Key takeaways: ✅ How probation periods really work (and why they’re misunderstood) ✅ The Small Business Fair Dismissal Code—what it actually protects you from ✅ Redundancies before and after the one-year mark—who gets paid, who doesn’t ✅ The high-income threshold ($175K+)—and why it gives employers a huge advantage ✅ The step-by-step process for cost-cutting through strategic terminations If your business is facing financial strain or you need clarity on making tough decisions without legal blowback, this episode is a must-listen. 🔗 Want ongoing expert guidance? Apply to join The HR Cartel and get access to IR updates, compliance resources, and expert advice. Visit www.hrcartel.com. 🎧 Listen now and future-proof your business!   Small Business Fair Dismissal Code - https://www.fwc.gov.au/what-small-business-fair-dismissal-code