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, important developments 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?
Be respectful, or we will refuse you…
Last week, Telstra sent out an update to their Customer Terms. It provided details of the consequences of unacceptable customer behaviour, including suspension or restriction of services in the event of aggression towards Telstra staff.
This is part of a trend in the community – signage in supermarkets, Australia Post, and businesses advising customers that unacceptable behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated.
Repeat abuse from customers has prompted a number of State governments to consider new legislative Workplace Protection Orders to protect frontline staff.
How did we get here? Since when does basic human behaviour need legislation and signage?
Take out point: If it’s a choice between keeping a customer or protecting a staff member, businesses are picking their people. Hooray!
See: Telstra’s “We’re updating our Customer Terms” here.
Buzzword Of the Week: “Collab”
(Translation: we’re not paying you – but think of the exposure!)
A wedding stylist was emailed by a bride “obsessed” with her work and convinced she was the perfect fit for her 2026 Byron Bay wedding. One small catch: the budget was “very limited”, so the bride was hoping to “collab” with the stylist…along with the photographer, videographer, and band. For free. For exposure.
The stylist posted the email on TikTok with the perfect response: “We can’t feed our families with exposure.”
The video went viral – 1.3 million views, thousands of gobsmacked comments, and hopefully one very embarrassed bride rethinking her definition of “collab”.
See: Bride’s Exposure Ask to Wedding Stylist
“Job” of the Week – Prime Minister of Japan
In her victory speech to colleagues Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, said, “I ask everybody to work, work like a horse. I myself will cast aside the idea of work-life balance. I’ll work, work, work, work and work”.
The new PM reportedly sleeps only two hours a night (four at most) and summoned aides to her office for a 3am meeting to plan for a budget committee hearing.
Take out point: Hope the PM’s aides like coffee.
See: Two Hours Sleep
End of Year Party Preparation
It’s that time of year again. End of year workplace functions are being organised.
Whilst parties are meant to be a fun reward for a year of hard work, there’s been way too many examples of #careerendingmoves.
If you don’t want to have to talk to your friendly employment lawyer in the post-party days, weeks and months, set clear behavioural expectations in advance.
Here’s a pre-party starter template that can be personalised for your business.
Download the Bicknell Law & Consulting email template for upcoming festivities.
Payday Super – Changes Are Now Law
From 1 July 2026 employers will be required to make super contributions within seven calendar days of paying their workers’ wages and salaries.
The ATO has released a draft practical compliance guideline in relation to its compliance approach for the 2026-27 year.
Take out point: No more playing catch-up. The old habit of “we’ll sort super at quarter’s end” won’t cut it – this change demands discipline, not delay.
See: Draft Practical Compliance Guideline
and Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025
Westpac Back Pays Employees Over $50 million
Westpac has back-paid nearly 47,000 staff more than $50 million and signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The underpayments occurred over an 11 year period and were primarily caused by failures in Westpac’s systems, governance processes, and compliance oversight.
Take out point: If the big end of town struggles to get this right, what hope do smaller employers have without the same resources?
See: Westpac signs Enforceable Undertaking after Underpaying $50 million
General Protections Reforms Due to Blow Outs: Fair Work Commission Statement
FWC President Justice Hatcher has foreshadowed procedural reforms for general protections claims involving dismissals.
In a 12 November 2025 Statement, he noted there were 6,209 general protections dismissal applications made in the 2024-25 financial year, an increase of 13% on the previous year and 27% above the 5 year average. The growth in the Commission’s workload was described as “unsustainable”.
The Statement details 3 stages of review which are intended to make the processes for dealing with general protections applications more efficient.
To read the President’s Statement on reforms to general protections dismissal application processes, click here.
Take out point: These changes cannot come soon enough. The current process is cumbersome and expensive.
Baby Priya’s Law: Changes for Employer Funded Parental Leave
Changes have been made to employer funded paid parental leave in the event of stillbirth or the death of a child. These changes require that employees planning to take, or who are receiving, employer funded paid parental leave cannot have this leave refused or cancelled if their child is stillborn or dies.
See: Baby Priya’s Law
and Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) Act: 2025
With Fair Work claims on the rise, how you manage an employee exit matters more than ever.
Do you want to handle redundancies or performance-based exits with clarity, compliance, and decency?
✔ The right words for the conversation – clear, respectful, and legally sound
✔ Documentation that protects your business
✔ Support before the claim lands, not after
If it’s time to part ways, do it properly (and sleep better at night).
Contact Jen on 0411 275 920 or at jen@jenniferbicknell.com.au
Dear Jen,
I work for a boss who treats 24 December like it’s just another Thursday in April. Full day. No early mark. Business as usual.
We’re an accounting firm, not an emergency room. No one’s going to flatline if we stop reconciling invoices at 2pm. The only thing critical at that point is getting a park at Woolies before the pavlova shelves are bare.
How do I help my boss understand that finishing early doesn’t mean the downfall of Western finance?
Cheers,
Employee of the Grinch
Dear Employee of the Grinch,
Try appealing to your boss’s love of efficiency: after 2pm on Christmas Eve, productivity drops faster than a pav on a hot dashboard.
No client is expecting a call. They’re too busy losing the will to live in a Bunnings car park.
Frame it as an operational decision, not a festive mutiny. And if that fails, start humming Silent Night louder each hour until he snaps.
Cheers,
Jen
What I Inhaled (On Foxtel/Binge)
I’d happily watch Sarah Snook read the phone book. So it was an absolute treat to watch her in “All Her Fault” a gripping thriller where she plays a mum who turns up to collect her son from a playdate… only to find he’s missing. Don’t be put off by the premise – it’s not bleak, it’s brilliant. Snook is phenomenal, and the tension never lets up.
What I’m Excited to Welcome Back (On Paramount)
“Landman” was a breakout hit last year, and it’s finally back for Season 2. Created by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan, it swaps horses for high-stakes Texas oil. Think power plays, big money, and bigger egos, with Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore and a great ensemble cast.
What I’m Watching (On Netflix)
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys star in the psychological thriller (ie a series you watch looking through your eyes). “The Beast In Me” is edge of seat viewing (but in a good way).
