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 VERY IMPORTANT case you need to know about, 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?
Generation Frustration.
“Why are they out the door at 5:01pm” vs “why don’t they understand I have a life outside work”?
Welcome to the workplace tug-of-war between generations – one person’s “work ethic” is another person’s “work-life balance”.
Once everyone accepts it’s not a battle of right versus wrong but simply different eras, the office can save its sighs and eye rolls for the printer jam.
Job of the Week: Caravan Influencer
Apparently, you can now make a living towing a caravan and posting about it. The Daily Telegraph just released a list of “Australia’s most influential caravaners”.
Yes, really.
See: Australia’s most influential caravaners
The Great Firing of 2025
Charlie Kirk’s death is having a significant impact on the workforce across the United States.
According to the Washington Post: “Within 24 hours of Charlie Kirk’s killing, an assistant dean at a Tennessee college, a communications staffer for an NFL team, a Nextdoor employee in Milwaukee, and the co-owner of a Cincinnati barbecue restaurant were fired after posting about it”.
Employers have been contacted flagging employees’ online activity. The fallout in the US is a timely reminder for us all: the internet is forever.
See: Charlie Kirk Posts Spark Backlash [Note: behind paywall]
Tough Times for Young Professionals
According to Robert Gottliebsen, times are only going to get tougher for the next generation of young professionals.
He notes: “Parents are watching their often well-educated children scramble to get casual jobs because career stepping-stone roles in most white-collar, non-government sectors are now rarely available. And if they are in casual work, younger employees are not earning enough money to leave home.”
He adds: “Career-launching jobs that six to 12 months ago were available in banking, retail, computer software, research, legal, accounting and many other areas have almost dried up.”
And then, of course, there’s AI…
Take Out Point: Parents of young professionals – buckle up. They may be living with you until they’re 40!
See: Job Loss Predictions
The Fair Work Information Statement and the Casual Employment Information Statement
The Fair Work Information Statement and the Casual Employment Information Statement were both updated in August 2025. Employers need to ensure that new employees are given the current versions.
See: Updated Information Statements
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
Case You Need to Know About
Federal Court Limits Use of Set Off Clauses
A recent Federal Court decision (Fair Work Ombudsman v Woolworths Group Limited & Ors FCA 1092) found that Woolworths and Coles could not pay employees an annual salary and rely on above-award payments in some pay cycles to offset underpayments in others.
In other words, the salary paid in each pay cycle must meet or exceed the applicable award obligations for that cycle. Any additional payments made in other periods during the year must be disregarded.
This decision conflicts with the approach taken by the Full Court of the Federal Court in Corporate Air Charter Pty Ltd v Australian Federation of Air Pilots [2025] FCAFC 45. In that case, the Court held that employers could rely on payments made across the year to offset award entitlements in other pay periods within the same year.
The Corporate Air Charter case was not referenced in the Woolworths decision, suggesting it was not brought to the Court’s attention. Hopefully this will be clarified on appeal.
In the meantime, employers may face underpayment claims. To mitigate this risk, employers should ensure:
- a buffer is paid so that each pay cycle covers all award entitlements for hours worked in that period; and
- accurate records of actual hours worked are kept.
Take Out Point: Hopefully this issue is resolved on appeal. Unless and until it is, employers must ensure that whatever salary is set – weekly, fortnightly, or monthly – it is sufficient to satisfy award obligations in each and every pay cycle.
Dear Jen,
My employee keeps saying, “That’s below my pay grade” every time I ask him to replace the paper in the printer or take out the bin. There’s only two of us in the office, so this is infuriating!
I want to bin him. Should I?
Cheers,
Bin Boss
Dear Bin Boss,
Unless your company org chart reads “CEO” and “Bloke Who Doesn’t Touch the Bin,” it’s time for a reset. In a two-person team, there’s no room for diva energy. If he doesn’t have a position description, write one – and make sure his new KPIs include: bin emptied, printer loaded, attitude adjusted.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Jen
I love it when favourite shows return. It makes me positively giddy.
What I’m Watching (On Apple TV+)
One of THE best shows on tv, British spy thriller “Slow Horses” is back! Gary Oldman continues to steal scenes as the gloriously grumpy Jackson Lamb – leading a team of MI5 misfits who’ve been banished to Slough House – the bureaucratic equivalent of being sent to the naughty corner with a desk.
What I’m Watching (On Netflix)
“Dark Winds” is a crime drama following two Navajo police officers in 1970s Arizona who solve murders while navigating reservation politics, family drama, and the occasional supernatural mystery. [I did watch some of this behind my hands – but in a good way].
What I’m Watching (On Apple TV+)
Strap yourself in for big hair and big drama. Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm are back for more in “Morning Wars”.
What I’m Watching (On Foxtel/Binge)
“The Paper” is an American mockumentary spinoff of “The Office”. A newspaper so broke it shares office space with a toilet paper company, tries to publish actual news with volunteer reporters who can’t write. It’s workplace dysfunction with a deadline, serving up that familiar blend of awkward romance and corporate incompetence we’ve been craving. Give it a few episodes. It’s worth it.
What I’m Watching (On Netflix)
In “Black Rabbit” a rising restaurateur gets dragged into New York’s criminal underworld when his chaotic brother rocks up with loan sharks in tow. Jude Law and Jason Bateman make this stressful mess of family dysfunction and organised crime surprisingly compelling viewing.
