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, news snippets, legislation and case updates 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?
AI anxiety.
Employees are asking two big questions – is my job safe, and what can I do to future proof my career?
The real divide will not be between jobs that use AI and jobs that do not – it will be between people who adapt and people who do not.
Job of the Week – Future of Work Predictor
With so much uncertainty about the future of work, there is reportedly growing demand for astrologers, tarot readers and crystal ball owners.
If you can predict which jobs will still exist in five years – or even next week – you can probably name your own price.
I recently read some tea leaves and my top picks are:
- Prompt Engineer: Someone whose job is figuring out the exact sentence that persuades AI to produce something useful and accurate – rather than confidently hallucinated nonsense.
- AI Apology Writer: The person responsible for drafting the apology when the company’s AI chatbot insults a customer, invents legal advice, or causes a public relations crisis.
- Digital Reputation Cleaner: Specialists hired to remove or bury embarrassing AI generated content from the internet before your boss, clients or mother find it.
Buzzword of the Week: Vibe Coding
Using AI to create computer code simply by describing the outcome you want – no programming knowledge required. Just. The. Vibe.
Tim Tams and the (Alleged) Office Sociopath
A packet of Tim Tams left in the office fridge has sparked an unexpectedly heated online debate. The owner returned to find a note from a co-worker inviting everyone to “help yourself”.
Online reactions were swift, with one commenter calling the co-worker “a manipulative sociopath”. Proof that workplace fridge politics are still alive and well.
Take Out Point: Fridge politics are one thing. But never mess with someone’s Tim Tams. Never!
See: ‘Manipulative sociopath’: Read the outrageous note co-worker put on my packet of Tim Tams left in office fridge
17 March 2026 – St Patrick’s Day. Great excuse for a Guinness after work.
21 March 2026 – World Poetry Day. Write a short poem about why you love your job. Bonus points if you perform it with interpretive dance.
25 March 2026 – International Waffle Day. Yes, it’s a real thing. The perfect excuse for a waffle morning tea.
31 March 2026 – World Backup Day. Back up your files today. “It was all on my desktop” should never be a sentence.
1 July 2026 – Payday Super commences. Start preparing now! Please don’t leave it until 30 June.
1 July 2026 – Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave Scheme increases again and reaches 26 weeks, paid at the minimum wage.
LEGISLATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Victoria’s Work From Home Push – Employers Shaking Their Heads!
Just when you thought the work from home debate might settle down…
The Victorian Government is expected to introduce work from home legislation to Parliament in July, with a proposed start date of 1 September.
If introduced in its current form, the proposal would give eligible employees a legal right to work from home two days a week where their role can reasonably be performed remotely. Businesses with fewer than 15 employees would have until 1 July 2027 before the changes apply.
Business groups are already raising concerns, with the Australian Industry Group warning the proposal could cost Victorian jobs and harm the state economy. Many employers are simply shaking their heads.
Take Out Point: The work from home debate is far from settled. Between the Victorian proposal and the federal inquiry into the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Work from Home) Bill 2025, this issue is shaping up as a key workplace policy battleground.
See: Victoria sets September start date for work-from-home rights
Unions Push For Five Weeks’ Annual Leave
ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus contends that 4 weeks annual leave is not enough given how long or how hard Australians work. Unions are pressing for an increase to 5 weeks under the National Employment Standards.
Take Out Point: The impact on staffing and cost pressures for SME’s must be taken into account – (especially if employees have a guaranteed 2 days a week working from home).
See: Unions Push for 5 weeks’ Annual Leave
and
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training Inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards
CASE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
FWC Calls Avoiding Difficult Conversations “Managerial Cowardice”
A senior academic at the University of Melbourne was dismissed for alleged misconduct shortly after receiving an “exceeds expectations” performance review.
The Fair Work Commission found the University had been aware of concerns about her leadership but never clearly raised them with her. Instead, the issues only surfaced later through formal complaints and an investigation.
The Commission criticised the approach as “managerial cowardice.” Because the concerns had not been addressed through proper performance management, the dismissal was found to be unfair and the academic was reinstated – a rare outcome in unfair dismissal cases.
Take Out Point: Don’t tick the “exceeds expectations” box while planning an employee’s exit. Have the difficult conversation early or the Fair Work Commission may end up having it for you.
See: Angela Paladino v The University of Melbourne [2026] FWC 559 (23 February 2026)
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,
I recently completed performance reviews for my sales team. One of them happened to fall on a team member’s birthday, so I decided to go easy on him and gave him an “exceeds expectations”.
In truth he is only at about 40 per cent of budget, but it didn’t feel like the right moment to raise my concerns.
Did I do the right thing?
Cheers,
Bill the Boss (Chief Morale Officer)
Dear Bill the Boss (Chief Avoidance Officer),
Birthdays happen once a year. Profit and loss happens every day.
If you were going to sabotage the review – and that is what you did – you should have rescheduled it.
The employee deserves respectful, honest feedback. Either they have a future in your business or they don’t. You deserve a workforce that achieves your expectations.
Birthday cake is optional. Candour is not.
Cheers,
Jen
Important Public Service Announcement
The final 4 episodes of the latest Bridgerton season (Netflix) dropped. If you’re someone who switches off the moment the credits roll, don’t do that this time. Watch after the credits. You’re welcome.
What Else?
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette (Disney+) is a mini-series about the rather complicated romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Is it awful? Yes. Too awful to watch? Heck no. Look, we all have our vices.
Paradise (Disney+) was a surprise favourite last year – clever, tense and genuinely addictive. The new season has landed. Watch.
The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple) is back. Jennifer Garner is terrific in this mystery thriller.
