Hello!
Welcome to your favourite workplace newsletter where you can catch up on the things you need to know and some things that will make you laugh out loud.
In this issue there’s a workplace trend, news snippets, a legislation update and sage advice in the “Dear Jen” column.
And of course, I share my recommendations for your viewing pleasure.
I hope this newsletter brings you some wisdom and joy!
Cheers,
Jen
What trend am I seeing out there in the workplace world?
A continued sharp rise in mental health claims. Some are absolutely genuine and deserve every bit of care and compassion. Others… arrive just as a performance issue or misconduct concern is about to come to a head.
Employers need to handle both with urgency – supporting those who need it, while not getting stuck with a bogus claim (and a ballooning workers’ comp premium) when a genuine process is used to dodge a difficult truth.
Job of the Week: Tradie
Forget law school – grab a tool!
According to developer Nigel Satterley, plumbers, electricians and bricklayers in Perth are earning as much as $250,000 a year due to the skills shortage. The lead tradie in a typical team of four can earn as much $500,000.
See you at TAFE!
See: Tradies Wages Jump
The White House’s LinkedIn Logo Is Now What?
We all list previous employers on our LinkedIn profiles. No biggie. But when you’re a former President of the USA, it can be problematic when the current President changes the company logo.
President Trump’s face is now the logo of the White House’s LinkedIn account. And so, Barack Obama and former White House staff are now rocking an orange face on their profiles. Awkward doesn’t begin to cover it.
See: White House Logo
Amazon’s Phone Policy Making News
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is implementing a “hardcore culture reset”. By way of example, employees are required to detail their business and personal mobile phone usage “dollar for dollar” on their company-issue phones.
Take Out Point: Is it just me or is “hardcore culture reset” just code for “next-level micromanagement”?
See: Amazon Rules For Phone Use
Older Workers Being Forced To Retire Due To Age Discrimination
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that age discrimination is forcing older workers to retire years sooner than expected. Whilst most workers plan to retire once they reach the age of 65, the actual average retirement age is 56.
Take Out Point: This makes me cross. So many “older workers” bring valuable experience, have a positive work ethic and are team players.
Let’s stop sidelining them and start seeing them as the workplace asset they are – not a use-by date.
See: Age Discrimination Forcing Retirements
Difficult Conversations Suck – But You Don’t Have to Suck at Them
No one hands you a manual for tough workplace talks – so I wrote one, turned it into a workshop (and added an interpretive dance).
In my “Awkward to Awesome” workshop, you’ll learn:
✅ A simple, step-by-step way to handle tricky conversations without making it weird
✅ Exactly what to say when it matters (and what not to say)
✅ How to give feedback that actually lands (instead of backfiring spectacularly)
✅ How to avoid putting your foot in your mouth (and what to do if you already have)
✅ How to handle performance issues before they become disasters.
I’ll give you:
✔A practical skillset you’ll use forever
✔ A serious upgrade to your leadership skills
✔ A major confidence boost for your next tough talk
✔ A few laughs (possibly at my expense)
✘ No cringey role-plays. (We practice, but in a way that makes you better – not more uncomfortable).
REMEMBER… AVOIDANCE ISN’T A STRATEGY!
Contact Jen on 0411 275 920 or at jen@jenniferbicknell.com.au
Legislation You Need to Know About
The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025 has become law. It amends the Fair Work Act to protect penalty and overtime rates for modern award-reliant employees.
The Fair Work Commission must ensure that:
- penalty rate and overtime rates in modern awards are not reduced: and
- modern awards don’t include terms that substitute employees’ entitlements to receive penalty rates or overtime rates, where those terms would have had the effect of reducing the additional remuneration employees would otherwise receive.
Take Out Point: Employers cannot rely on alternative award terms or “loaded rates” to bypass penalty or overtime obligations. If an employee is award-reliant, entitlements must be preserved in both form and effect.
See: Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Act 2025
Dear Jen,
I’m a passionate politically active person.
I recently used our company electronic notice board to ‘rally the troops’ to attend a protest. My boss gave me a warning for not doing my job.
What about free speech? This is discrimination, right?
Cheers,
Anon
Dear Norma Rae
Using the office noticeboard for activism is like using the printer for your novel. You’re paid to work, not to organise a revolution between Zoom calls.
Save the uprising for after hours.
Cheers,
Jen
An Easy Watch (On Netflix)
Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” is now a movie starring every famous British actor still alive. OK, not everyone, but you do get Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and a top-tier cast solving crimes from a retirement village that happens to be a fabulous old castle. What’s not to love?
What I’m Watching On The Edge of My Seat (On Foxtel/Kayo)
“Drive to Survive” fans and F1 experts (like me) are loving this F1 season with Aussie Oscar Piastri leading the world championship. National coffee consumption on race-week Mondays? Off the charts.
What I Watched (On Stan)
“The Last Of The Showgirls” won’t win any Oscars, but Pamela Anderson’s performance? Absolutely worth the watch.
What I Watched (On a Plane and Paramount)
“NCIS: Origins” is a prequel to NCIS. It follows Mark Harmon’s character during his early career as a Navy cop. I didn’t finish it on my semi-long haul flight but made the effort to finish it when home, so it must be good.
