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, a case 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 across the workplace world?
Many businesses know they need to be careful about employee versus contractor arrangements. Fewer realise that some contractors are entitled to superannuation. If contractors are part of your workforce, this is an issue worth checking before the ATO does.
Job of the Week
US Pizza Hut recently advertised for a Hut Crust Connoisseur, which is corporate-speak for someone paid to eat and review pizza crust.
The role came with a very Pi Day-friendly salary of $31,415.92 – proof that someone in marketing remembered high school maths – plus free pizza for a year.
Instead of a résumé, crust lovers were asked to create a “crust manifesto”, film and post a review of the new Hand Tossed crust recipe to Instagram, and submit the link through the Pizza Hut crust website.
Take Out Point: Given the amount of free pizza involved, the lucky new employee should probably set aside some of that salary for a gym membership and a very forgiving pair of work pants.
See: Pizza Hut hiring a Hut Crust Connoisseur
Observation of the Week
Complain about AI all you like, but at least when you point out that it’s wrong, it usually admits it.
Which, frankly, is more than can be said for a lot of humans.
The Kyle and Jackie O Cases – Podcast
If you share the employment law world’s fascination with the Kyle and Jackie O cases, check out the Game Changers: Radio podcast.
Listen here: Apple Podcasts
The Robots Are Coming for the Luggage
An airport in Tokyo is preparing to test humanoid robots as baggage handlers and cargo loaders from May 2026.
The robots may eventually be trialled on other airport tasks too, including cleaning aircraft cabins and handling ground support equipment. Which is exciting news… unless you enjoy having your suitcase hurled by a human.
Take Out Point: For employers, the real issue is not whether robots will replace every job overnight. It is how work is being redesigned as technology takes over parts of a role – and what that means for staffing, training, safety and consultation.
See: Airlines Test Robots
AI Regulation Moves Onto the Agenda
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, has called for a tripartite dialogue between government, employers and unions on how AI is adopted in Australian workplaces.
Speaking at the recent AFR Workforce Summit, the Minister also referred to the Government’s establishment of an AI Employment and Workplaces Forum, which will focus on five key themes: trust, capability, transparency, safety and productivity.
Take Out Point: AI regulation is no longer a “future problem”. Employers using AI at work should be preparing now by reviewing policies, consultation processes, training, privacy settings and the role of human oversight in workplace decisions.
See: Government Moves to Rein in Workplace AI
CASE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Flexible Work Request Comes Up Against a $780,000 Problem
The Fair Work Commission has rejected a mine worker’s request for permanent day shifts and shorter hours after parental leave, accepting the employer had reasonable business grounds to refuse it.
A key factor was the evidence of business impact. Based on the price of coal, the 16 lost shifts resulted in deferred potential revenue of approximately $780,000. There were also broader operational and safety concerns.
Take Out Point: Even where caring responsibilities are genuine, a flexible work request can still be refused if the employer can show real cost, safety or operational consequences.
See: Vanessa Duncan v Coal & Allied Mining Services Pty Ltd – [2026] FWC 1427
20 May – International HR Day – The annual opportunity to thank HR for holding together the people, policies and occasional personality crises.
28 May – International Burger Day – Perfect for a team lunch… provided you can find options for the vegans, the gluten-free, the dairy-free, the low-carb and the person who “just wants something light”.
29 May – Paperclip Day – A day to celebrate the only office supply that can secure documents, reset electronics and double as a toothpick.
2 June – Leave the Office Early Day – Possibly the most popular workplace observance ever invented and yet somehow still not a gazetted public holiday.
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.
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’m worried that prospective employers will think I’m weird because my LinkedIn feed is mostly photos of my cats, videos of my bagpipe band performances, and views on the correct way to stack a dishwasher.
Should I delete the personal posts from my profile?
Cheers,
Cathy Cat-fan
Dear Cathy Cat-fan,
That would be a hard yes.
There’s nothing wrong with cats, bagpipes or having firm dishwasher principles – but LinkedIn isn’t the place for this trilogy. Employers are not looking for perfect robots, but they may wonder about your judgment if your professional profile reads like a hobby archive and a kitchen appliance manifesto.
Keep being yourself, but LinkedIn is your professional front window, not the family fridge. Before posting, ask yourself: “Would I be happy discussing this in an interview?”
If the answer is no, step away from the keyboard, take a breath, and put the cat photos on your private Instagram page where they can receive the admiration they deserve.
Cheers,
Jen
On the Screen
Netflix documentary: Should I Marry a Murderer? Yes, I fell for the clickbait title. No, I’m not proud. But I did binge all three episodes in one night, so here we are.
I inhaled season 1 of British crime thriller Criminal Record on Apple TV+. Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are back as two London detectives with conflicting methods, complicated histories and the sort of workplace tension HR would prefer not to know about.
With season 2 of The Pitt now over, medical drama fans are left wondering how they are meant to continue their entirely unofficial medical education. Fortunately, 9Now has dropped the entire 11th season of Chicago Med, while Doc on 7Plus and Grey’s Anatomy on Disney+ continue to be drip-fed – much like an IV, but with gossip.
Book Review
My unofficial medical education has been partly curtailed by the need to listen to a brilliant business leadership book on Audible.
Big thanks to my fearless Accountability Circle leader, Michelle Broadbent, for introducing me to Unreasonable Hospitality. It’s compulsory reading – or listening – for anyone who works with people.
And yes, that means almost all of us.
