Hello!
I have been busy compiling your favourite workplace newsletter – a combination of things you need to know and things that will make you laugh out loud.
In this issue there’s a workplace trend prediction, news snippets, a case 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 workplace trend am I predicting?
In the aftermath of Coldplay-gate, I expect employers will be reminding staff that reputational damage clauses in employment contracts cover off-duty conduct too.
Take Out Points:
Employment contracts don’t take weekends off. Neither does the internet.
Everyone has a camera. Everyone.
“You Fired Me Last Week?”: Ex-Employee’s Viral Response to Shameless Request
A British career expert shared a now-viral text exchange between a boss and the employee he fired a few days before.
Boss: “Hey, I know this probably isn’t the best time to ask… but is there any chance you could come in and run the new guy through the ticketing process?”
Ex-employee: “Are you having a laugh? You fired me last week?”
Undeterred, the boss sweetened the deal (barely):
Boss: “I know this is awkward. I promise you’ll get a coffee for the favour.”
Remarkably, the employee agreed, but on his terms.
Ex-employee: “I will do it. But I want it to be a remote tutorial, and I will charge you for half a day.”
Cue disbelief from the boss.
Boss: “Remote is fine, but half a day’s pay? This will only take a few minutes.”
Ex-employee: “That is the deal.”
Boss: “Fine, but I am disappointed this is the way you are playing this.”
Wow!
Take Out Point: If your training plan is “ask the fired guy” – you don’t have a training plan.
See: Disgruntled Ex Employee’s Fury
Recruiter Sends Rejection… and the Instructions for Writing It
A jobseeker went viral after posting a redacted rejection email that inadvertently included AI prompts, including:
“Write a warm but generic rejection email that sounds polite yet firm.”
“Make the candidate feel like they were strongly considered, even if they weren’t…”
Oops!
Take Out Points: To the company’s credit, they didn’t ghost the employee. They sent an email. Was the email defective? Yes. Was it AI’s fault? No. AI is only as good as the human being driving it.
See: AI Prompt Left In Job Rejection Email
Turning Hot Flushes into Power Moves
Behind every thriving workplace is a culture that supports women through
every life stage – including the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause.
Let’s be honest: most workplaces are still whispering about menopause like it’s Voldemort. Not on Shelly Horton’s watch. She’s a journalist, menopause advocate and author of “I’m Your Peri Godmother”. She works with organisations who want to keep midlife women at the top of their game.
Because here’s what the research shows:
· 83% of women say perimenopause has negatively affected their work
· 60% take time off due to symptoms – and most don’t feel safe enough to say why
· And 1 in 4 have considered quitting altogether
So yes – this is a workplace issue. And yes – it’s costing businesses more than just productivity.
Shelly delivers keynotes, webinars and workshops that are evidence-based and completely stigma-free. Her book “I’m Your Peri Godmother” is the must-have workplace resource for every team serious about midlife women.
Buy the book here (https://geni.us/ImYourPeriGodmother)
Or book her to come to your workplace shelly@shellshockedmedia.com
Case You Need to Know About
Bikies, Bullets and a Botched Resignation
A small business employer met with an employee over allegations including watching “demonic videos” at work, using the women’s toilets despite being told not to, and disparaging a colleague.
Mid-meeting, the employee declared, “I’m done” and “I’m out of here”, threw his keys at management, clenched his fist, and allegedly added “You better watch your back”, “There’s a bullet with your name on it”, and that he knew bikies who’d come after them.
Later, he texted to ask if he’d been fired or could return. The employer said no, he’d resigned.
In unfair dismissal proceedings, the Fair Work Commission found that the resignation happened in the heat of the moment and the employee should’ve been given a chance to cool off and clarify. But the bullet-and-bikies chat crossed the line into serious misconduct, which justified summary dismissal.
Take Out Point: A resignation in the heat of the moment can sometimes be walked back. Threats about bikies and bullets, not so much.
See: Thor Dewar v Pek Care (U2024/10803)
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
Dear Jen,
Our boss just discovered AI and is obsessed with it.
First sign was the extra-long hyphens. Next, prompts left in documents. Ironically our latest meeting agenda was headed “Make this sound like I actually wrote it and not a robot”.
Should I say something or wait for him to start signing emails ‘Regards, Claude’?
Cheers,
ChatGPTorn
Dear ChatGPTorn,
When in doubt, be kind.
Take him aside and say “Hey boss, love that you’re into AI. Quick heads-up. There was a prompt left in the meeting agenda. It’s OK. We’ve all learnt the hard way that AI needs a good proof read”.
Then leave him and his embarrassment be. He will be grateful to you – just maybe not in that moment.
Cheers,
Jen
What I Inhaled (On Amazon Prime)
Rotten Tomatoes agrees with me, giving “Ballard” a score of 100%. Maggie Q plays a detective investigating a cold case. Bosch pops in for cameos. Sounds boring. It isn’t. One of the shows of the year.
What I Also Inhaled (Not Literally) (On Apple TV+)
“Smoke” features an arson investigator (Taron Egerton) who reluctantly teams up with a detective (Jurnee Smollett) to investigate two serial arsonists. A bit like fire, I couldn’t stop watching.
What I Watched (On Netflix)
Everyone is watching “Untamed”. And why wouldn’t they be. Eric Bana always delivers. This time he is a park detective investigating a murder in Yosemite National Park.
What I Watched (On SBS Online)
For a change, I am recommending a geography doco – “Mont Saint Michel: Rising Again”. Anyone who has set foot on this wonder of the world, watch this. And if you haven’t, watch this. Still can’t fathom how they built this 1400 years before computers.
