Hello!

I am currently in Paris going for Gold in the “Most Enthusiastic Australian Supporter” event, but I didn’t want you to miss out on your fortnightly hit of wisdom and joy, so here is an abridged OLYMPIC EDITION of your favourite workplace newsletter.

Cheers, Jen


Jens Lens

What trend am I seeing out there in the workplace world?

Very few native Parisians! Most have left the city to avoid the tourists. Those who are here, are not altogether happy (at least with the Americans and Brits). Needless to say, I am saying “je suis Australienne” – a lot!


BRIEFLY…

Job of the Week: Public Relations – CrowdStrike

ecently, CrowdStrike, the company behind the “Blue Screen of Death” that shut down the world, had been looking for a public relations director in its North Sydney office. At the time the ad was taken down, 7 people had shown interest. It’s not clear if someone was appointed. If so, I assume they have since negotiated a substantial pay rise.

See: CrowdStrike Job Ad


Buzzword of the Week: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

The BSOD is a critical error screen displayed by Microsoft Windows that brings global travel, retail, banking, and scarily, the ability to watch some streaming services, to an abrupt end. As Apple users are not affected, the BSOD has the unintended consequence of giving we Mac users yet another reason to be smug.


Cautionary Tale for Those who Skip Work

A Spanish employee of a water treatment plant was employed by local government for 20 years. He skipped work for 6 years but was still paid his annual €37,000 salary. No-one noticed until he was nominated for an award for his long service.

The Deputy Mayor told a Spanish newspaper “I wondered whether he was still working there, had he retired, had he died? But the payroll showed he was still receiving a salary.”

The employee was required to pay a €27,000 fine (one years’ net salary).

No word on the consequences for his supervisors or the payroll department.

Take Out Point: How? Just, how?

See: Man skipped work for six years – and was only found out when he was nominated for an award (msn.com)


Don’t Forget to Cheer for Australia’s Coolest Academic! 

Rachael Gunn (street name B-Girl Raygun) is a 36 year old Macquarie Uni lecturer with a PhD. She will be representing Australia in breakdancing at the Olympics in Paris. Put 10 August in your diaries now!

See: Breakdancing Academic


Half of Australian Businesses Consider Closing Over Red Tape 

The inaugural “Small Business Conditions Survey” conducted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has found that almost half of Australian businesses consider closing over red tape, soaring expense and “thought bubble” new rules such as the “right to disconnect”. In regional areas, 57 per cent of surveyed business owners declared they had considered leaving.

Take Out Point: Small Business owners are sick of those who have never run a business, making them jump through hoops. It needs to be made easier before it’s too late.

See: Businesses Consider Closing 


Jen's Difficult Conversations in the Workplace

Do you know how to manage disputes between colleagues? 

The ‘Awkward to Awesome’ Workshop will empower your managers and team with essential skills and techniques to tackle challenging conversations with confidence.

Don’t let unresolved workplace issues hold your business back. Empower your team with the skills to have difficult conversations. Increase productivity. Decrease recruitment costs. Boost profits! Check out the ‘Awkward to Awesome’ Workshop.

Or grab the most practical online course in town. Run, don’t walk to my website for my highly informative and entertaining online course – “Difficult Conversations In The Workplace: A Lawyer’s Guide to Not Needing a Lawyer”. Spend an hour with your favourite unlawyerly lawyer for just $149 plus GST, or organise a coaching session.


Dear Jen, 

I am a software designer. I was recently involved in creating an update which didn’t work out as planned. You may have heard about it.

I am taking some time out to consider my options.

Any advice?

Cheers,
Anonymous


Dear Anonymous,

I am not an expert in these things, but perhaps software updates that have global implications aren’t your thing.

On the bright side, I hear there are plenty of people wanting help to transition to Macs…

Good luck!

Cheers,
Jen


CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

Previous newsletters are available at our website. To catch up on earlier legal updates or viewing recommendations, head there now!


Jen's After Work

Let’s be honest, for the next 2 weeks, no-one should be watching anything other than the Olympics, but if you must, here’s a few suggestions.

What I Watched (On Netflix) 

Couldn’t help myself – this is Olympic-adjacent. The unfortunately named doco “Simone Biles Rising” tells the story of gymnastics’ G.O.A.T. Heroic. Inspirational. Gold!

What I Watched (On ABC iView) 

“I Was Actually There” is a 6 part docu-series created by the makers of “You Can’t Ask That”. Each episode provides never before content about defining events in Australian history, such as the Port Arthur tragedy and the Boxing Day tsunami. A tough watch but brilliantly done.

What I Watched (On Disney+) 

In “Brats” Andrew McCarthy catches up with fellow iconic 80’s movie stars (Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Rob Lowe and Demi Moore) to talk about what it was like to be a member of the ‘Brat Pack’. Warning: very hard to get “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” out of your Simple Mind afterwards.

What I Watched (On ABC iView)

In “Maggie Beer’s Big Mission” national treasure Maggie Beer conducts an experiment to transform the food and lifestyle experience of seniors in aged care. I didn’t think it was possible to love Maggie Beer any more than I do, but…


 

 

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