Off the record, not off the rails: The missing middle ground
If it feels like everyone’s piling on HR lately, you’re not imagining it. A recent article in the Financial Review: “Why is everyone piling on HR these days” captures a…
AI: The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Challenge in a Changing Landscape
AI has moved well beyond being just a buzzword in Australian workplaces - it is now a real and measurable force reshaping how we work. From streamlining daily tasks to…
Meeting the New WHS Expectations: Why Independent Support Services Matter More Than Ever
As of 1 July 2025, SafeWork NSW has become a standalone regulator under the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Standalone Regulator) Act 2025 (NSW). With this change, the regulatory bar…
WHS: How Do Independent Ombuds Help Build Safer Workplaces?
Organisations across Australia are navigating a shifting regulatory landscape — with strengthened WHS regulations and new positive duty obligations under the Sex Discrimination Act. At the same time, workplace culture…
From Manager to Meaning-Maker: The New Frontier of Leadership in 2025
In 2025, the landscape of leadership has shifted – not just incrementally, but fundamentally. The 2025 Workplace Engagement Index report by Reward Gateway highlights a clear mandate: managers are no…
Behind the Screen: How Workplaces Can Support Employees Facing Tech-Based Abuse
In an increasingly digital world, the workplace has become more than just a space for productivity — for some, it’s a crucial place of refuge. Technology-facilitated abuse, also known as…
DEI at a crossroads: Navigating inclusion without division
In recent years, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have taken centre stage in workplaces, seeking to create more equitable and inclusive environments for everyone. However, are we starting to…
Conflict resolution in the workplace: Practical tips
Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace. Whether it stems from differing opinions, miscommunication, or interpersonal tensions, it’s a challenge that all organisations face. In fact, according to Safe…
Highlights from Beijing: Bridging cultures and technology
A few of weeks ago I was privileged to join other ombuds in Beijing for the International Ombuds Association Conference APRAC – essentially a meeting of the minds for ombuds in different…
Celebrating 3 years of impact: Reflecting on our journey as Australia’s first Independent Workplace Ombuds
As we celebrate our 3rd anniversary, it’s wonderful to reflect on how far we’ve come as Australia’s first Independent Workplace Ombuds. From our early days of building trust with our first clients to becoming…