Are you a leader or manager seeking to sharpen your skills, inspire your team, and drive unparalleled performance?

If so, we invite you to register for our World Class Teams Microlearning Series. This is a power packed learning opportunity that offers practical, actionable insights for managers and leaders like you. The series is delivered live and interactively via Zoom, which means you can join us from anywhere.

Here's a sneak peek at some of our upcoming sessions:

• How to Deal with Demanding Customers Who Are Not Always Right
• The Productivity Killer - How to Beat Procrastination Once and For All!
• Building Trust in Your Team: Delegating Tasks with Confidence
• Mastering 1:1 Meetings: Make Them Worthwhile & Not a Box Ticking Exercise
• 5 Steps to Overcoming Employee's Resistance to Change
• Master Presenting: Overcome Your Fear and Speak with Influence and Impact

Each micro-learning runs for a total of 60 minutes, and includes:

• A 45-minute live-streamed workshop where Diana Tapp, Australia’s #1 High Performance Team Consultant, will share the strategies that have helped countless teams reach their full potential.
• A 15-minute live Q&A, where you can ask Diana any burning questions you may have.
• A printable Action Pack with tools, techniques, and templates that makes it easy to apply what you've learned.
• Plus, we offer you 30-day access to a recording of the session so you can revisit the materials whenever you need to.

Tickets are available for only $87, a very small investment compared to the value you will gain.

Diana Tapp, CEO of World Class Teams and the author of "Unleash Your Team's Potential", will be your facilitator and guide on this journey. Brodie Collins, Group Head of Strategy at MONDIALE VGL, remarked, "The tools & techniques Di gave us worked! Di is intelligent, experienced, inspiring, influential and so much more."

We guarantee these sessions will provide you with the tools and strategies to elevate your leadership skills and drive your team's success.

Don't wait, because seats are limited. Register now by clicking here

We look forward to seeing you there.

With the end of the financial year, been and gone, Metallum has had some time to reflect on the year we've had and how our business has expanded in this time. Over the last 12 months, we have kept in constant contact with our valued customers and have reached more new customers than ever before. From this, we have been focusing on increasing our brand awareness, to help our customer audience to understand and become comfortable with our products and the services we offer. Marketing for Metallum, has been a priority to increase our brand awareness by contributing to the community, sharing our stories and content about our business and what we do.

Another business development for Metallum, has been the expansion of our manufactory capacity and securing another factory. Our new factory is extensive, with more space, dual access, overhead crane facilities to accommodate immediate customer demands and also anticipated future demands. Furthermore, this allows us the opportunity to produce more products, store more materials, allow additional space for new equipment and to deliver long lasting benefits to our business.

For more information on Metallum or to connect with us, head over to our Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin pages and say hello or give us a follow!

Ronald McDonald House Charities Westmead has an exclusive opportunity for CEOs, Senior Managers, Directors and Board Members. We invite you to join us in October 2023 for CEO Walk In My Shoes. CEO Walk in My Shoes is an immersive overnight experience that will take place from Thursday, the 26th, until Friday 27th of October, 2023. All participants will have the opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to create the best possible experience for families with seriously ill or injured children, staying at our House in Greater Western Sydney ❤️

This unique experience has limited places. Inaugural CEO Walk In My Shoes participant, Jarrod Rice from Cook’s Plumbing Supplies said the following of his experience: "What will stick with me forever is the gratitude that the families have for those who are helping them in - quite often - the worst circumstance any of us could imagine. Their positivity and brightness create an environment in the House that is difficult to describe. The children pull so much strength from those around them, so this positivity is an essential part of what the House has created for the families. To play even a tiny part in giving them something to enjoy or look forward to was truly a life-changing experience".

To find out more and to register for CEO Walk In My Shoes, head to RMHC : Greater Western Sydney Chapter (ceowalkinmyshoes.org.au) or contact Senior Partnerships Manager: Matthew Mifsud via matthew.mifsud@rmhc.org.au

From 6 June 2023, important changes took effect which introduced new obligations for employers when handling flexible working arrangements requests and expanded the circumstances in which employees may make such requests.

Who can make a request for flexible working arrangements?

In essence, certain categories of employees who have completed at least 12 months’ continuous service with their employer are eligible to make a statutory request for flexible working arrangements.

What types of requests can be made?

The most common requests relate to amending days/hours of work, start/finish times and to working from home, albeit the legislation does not limit the types of changes that can be requested.

How does an employee make a request?

Employees making a statutory flexible working arrangements request must do so in writing, it must relate to their circumstances, and it must meet the requirements of the legislation.

An employee may also have an entitlement to make a flexible working arrangements request under their employment contract, an applicable modern award or enterprise agreement, or an employer policy.

Can an employer refuse an employee’s request?

A statutory request can only be refused on “reasonable business grounds” including if it would be too costly, create significant adverse impacts or be impractical to implement in the workplace.

What are the changes?

The categories of employees who can make a statutory request for flexible working arrangements now include an employee who is pregnant, an employee (or a member of their immediate family) experiencing family and domestic violence, and those returning to work after giving birth or adopting a child.

In addition to other requirements, employers must:

• discuss the request and make genuine attempts to reach agreement with the employee, including by advising of alternative arrangements they could accommodate in order to address the employee’s circumstances before refusing such requests
• provide detailed reasons for refusing the request and consider the consequences for the employee as a result of doing so

Critically, the Fair Work Commission now has jurisdiction to resolve and determine flexible working arrangements disputes including challenges about whether the request was refused for reasons other than “reasonable business grounds”.

Penalties

Employers and individuals (such as directors and managers) may be subject to penalties for non-compliance with the new changes.

Recommended Actions

We recommend employers:

• take a consultative and collaborative approach when dealing with flexible working arrangements requests
• exercise caution when considering flexible working arrangements requests and be prepared to satisfactorily explain the reasons for refusing such requests
• obtain advice regarding the timing, consultation and other technical requirements introduced by the changes as failing to comply with same may give rise to penalties and/or the commencement of Fair Work Commission proceedings
• update relevant business policies and procedures to ensure they align with current legal obligations
• train managers to ensure they are familiar with flexible working arrangements requirements in order to minimise the risk of non-compliance

Questions/Assistance

If you have any questions about the above or would like any other employment related assistance, please contact our Matthews Folbigg Workplace Solutions employment law team.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided to readers for their general information and on a complimentary basis. It contains a brief summary only and should not be relied upon or used as a definitive or complete statement of the relevant law.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

NEC Australia and Western Sydney University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of a collaborative agreement that will focus on generating purpose-led and innovative outcomes to enhance growth, development and opportunities in Western Sydney.

The partnership builds on a shared vision to utilise expertise, resources and networks to ensure one of the fastest growing regions in Australia is at the forefront of research, technology and sustainability.

Working together, NEC Australia and Western Sydney University will focus on a range of projects and initiatives including joint research, developing and piloting innovative new technologies, community engagement opportunities and shared advocacy. The partnership will explore opportunities across five key focus areas:

• Urban Transformation and Smart City Development
• Net Zero Cities and Sustainability
• Cyber Security
• Agri-Tech
• The University’s Factory of the Future.

NEC Australia CEO, Jason Price, said this MoU demonstrates both organisation’s commitment to helping shape the Western Sydney of the future, to be both connected and sustainable.

“NEC Australia and Western Sydney University are building on our existing relationship and we are excited about the potential our collective resources can have on advancing the development of Western Sydney,” Price said.

“Western Sydney presents an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of smart city design in Australia. The MoU demonstrates the potential we see in Western Sydney, and we look forward to exploring ways to incorporate innovative technology and research to shape a smarter, more sustainable and better-connected region.”

Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, Professor Barney Glover AO, said that as an institution serving Western Sydney, the University is pleased to collaborate with NEC Australia through a Shared Vision Partnership for the benefit of the people of the region.

“Western Sydney University is delighted to work with NEC Australia to explore opportunities across research, development and learning to drive innovation and to support some of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region,” said Professor Glover.

“Providing valuable opportunities for staff, researchers, students and the broader community through a focus on shared advocacy, integrated learning and new technologies, the collaboration will leverage the University’s expertise in smart city development, cybersecurity, sustainability and agri-tech.”

Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, said “There is a wealth of potential to be unlocked through university-industry partnerships. We are thrilled to collaborate with NEC Australia to reach beyond the frontier of innovation and technological change.”

The MoU will build upon and strengthen interrelated and collaborative opportunities shared between NEC Australia and Western Sydney University, including a commitment to working in the Western Parkland City, the new Bradfield City Centre and Western Sydney International Airport.

To learn more about NEC Australia, click here.

To learn more about Western Sydney University, click here.

Worried that your skills may not be enough to keep your job secure?

You know the importance of upskilling and staying ahead of the curve, but with limited time and money, it can seem like an impossible task.

But what if we told you there was a way to stay ahead without sacrificing your day job or go back to school to earn a new degree?

That’s where micro-credentials come in.

Micro-credentials are bite-sized courses that allow you to learn specific, in-demand skills in a fraction of the time it would take to earn a degree.

They’re tailored to your career goals and responsibilities, giving you the opportunity to personalise your learning and stay ahead of the curve.

Imagine having the critical thinking skills to tackle complex problems, the digital marketing know-how to increase your online presence, or the leadership skills to take your career to the next level.

Micro-credentials give you the flexibility and scalability to develop your skills, so you can grow and evolve in your career with ease.

At My Skills Australia, our Micro Campus gives young professionals like you unrestricted access to courses like Critical Thinking, Customer Service, WHS Essentials, Collaboration Skills, Digital Literacy, Workplace writing, Digital Marketing, Cyber Security, and Leadership skills.

The best part is how these courses fit into your busy schedules taking you around 60 minutes to complete.

And for each or whichever course you complete, you earn digital badges.

The point is: developing one or more of these micro skills can easily make you a valuable asset to your employer and secure your job in a competitive market.

Don’t miss out on an exciting opportunity to make your career dreams a reality.

Contact My Skills Australia to get started today.

Contact My Skills Australia to get started today.

P: 02 8814 8640 | E: hello@myskillsaustralia.edu.au

The end of a financial year presents an ideal opportunity to do a final check of whether you’ve achieved your tax goals and ensure that you’re complying with all relevant reporting requirements. To assist you in this process, William Buck’s tax and accounting guide provides comprehensive information on the relationship between tax planning and financial reporting, including key policy changes and their potential impact on middle-market businesses.

Click here to download your complete guide to 2023 year end tax planning and reporting

Whether it's a corporate family day or staff celebration, thank your team with an event at Sydney Zoo!

A family fun day filled with:

• Food and Beverage Options
• Music & Entertainment
• Ice Cream & Coffee Cart
• Exclusive Reptile Encounters
• Ferris Wheel
• Face Painters
  
  

Click here to download the Family Day Flyer

Click here to download the Family Day Flyer

Contact the Sydney Zoo Events Team for more information.

Image: Powerhouse Parramatta. Credit: Zan Wimberley.

Powerhouse Parramatta celebrates a major construction milestone as the world’s heaviest lift capacity tower crane has begun lifting pieces of the massive steel exoskeleton into place. The exoskeleton will be made up of more than 1,300 individual pieces of steel, ranging up to 20 metres in height and giving a unique look to what is the biggest cultural infrastructure build since the Sydney Opera House.

Click here to read more

Meet with colleagues and clients at and enjoy a selection of complimentary SUITE DEALS at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, and PARKROYAL Parramatta. Our hotels offer a range of versatile venues, delicious food and beverage options and the latest audio-visual technology, there’s never been a better time to connect.

Meeting bookers can take advantage of a range of SUITE DEALS on offer and save when booking a day delegate meeting or residential conference for 15 or more delegates.* At PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, and PARKROYAL Parramatta.

*Full terms and conditions apply.