Blog – Page 2 – Worksense

Social Media, Bullying and Reputation

By Catherine CahillBullying, Career, Difficult People, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management, Social Media

In June 2014, Social Media was harnessed to put pressure on Opera Australia because of a statement previously posted on Facebook by Georgian Opera Singer Tamar Iveri. Opera Australia subsequently advised that they had addressed the issues with Ms Iveri and had accepted her explanation that the post was written by her husband.

A few days later, Limelight magazine published an article which detailed what would seem to have been a more thorough investigation into the matter, which concluded Ms Iveri may have been dishonest in her response to Opera Australia. Read More

June 23, 2014

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I Say Tomato, You Say Discrimination

By Catherine CahillBullying, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management

A high profile employee of Channel Seven published an article in 2014 stating that she had “never been discriminated against”. Read More

March 20, 2014

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Punishing Your Best People

By Catherine CahillBullying, Career, Difficult People, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management

When I suggest to Managers or Executives that they may be punishing their best performers, they are always taken aback. But I see it in so many organisations and in so many work groups – and it is surprisingly common. Read More

February 1, 2014

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Peace and Goodwill to All at Work

By Catherine CahillBullying, Career, Difficult People, Employee Relations, Free Values Assessment, Human Resources, Management

As the year draws to an end, many people start to make resolutions to ensure “next year” is a better one. This is particularly true in the case of work. Though some may be toasting a great past year – and wishing for an even brighter new year; most will be hoping for a better year – one with less stress, and less conflict. Read More

December 13, 2013

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Good Cuts/Bad Cuts

By Catherine CahillEmployee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management

In 2014 Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced a “hiring freeze” to achieve his objective of cutting “red tape”. We are so used to hearing this sort of announcement that it seems even journalists do not question the thinking behind it.

The government go-to position of a “staffing freeze” is a very simple strategy of not replacing people as they leave, either through resignation, retirement or when their contracts expire. There is no consideration given for how critical the work being done is; it is just a blanket assumption that no matter what a person is employed to do, when they leave, someone else can absorb it. Or perhaps it just doesn’t get done anymore. Read More

November 11, 2013

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What’s In A Word?

By Catherine CahillBullying, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations

In what seems to be a standing item in our News media of late, a politician’s personal comment about a political aspirant has been the cause for much argument. Tony Abbott, who was campaigning to be elected Australia’s next Prime Minister, introduced a local candidate as “young, feisty” and with “sex appeal”.

And the so-called “debate” began! Read More

August 18, 2013

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Bereavement At Work

By Catherine CahillEmployee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management

In most professions there a things that we have to deal with, for which our education and training has not prepared us in the slightest. In HR, I would have to say the most difficult is being confronted with the bereavement, or the death, of a work colleague. When the death is of a work colleague, it comes with multiple bereavements as well. Read More

August 6, 2013

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Political Correctness

By Catherine CahillBullying, Difficult People, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management

We all know the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”. It was a chant we were taught as children, to be used when someone said something mean to us.

The truth is, most of us know that words do have the power to cause us tremendous pain. Read More

June 13, 2013

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Common Sense Is Not Common

By Catherine CahillBullying, Difficult People, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management, News

It is one of the most frequent arguments and we hear people say it all the time: “it’s just common sense”. Strangely though, it is usually used when arguing a point the majority does not share.

I hear it so frequently in business, usually said with great frustration. What is said is – “it’s common sense” – but what is meant is “why can’t everybody see this the way I do”? Read More

May 24, 2013

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