It’s a commonly held assumption that three written warnings are required by Australian law before employers can dismiss an employee.

The ‘three warnings rule’ is one of the most common misconceptions in employment law – it simply does not exist. The reason that some organisations use this approach is to avoid risk in unfair dismissal claims, but unfair dismissal matters don’t require multiple warnings.

Legal requirements regarding warnings and terminations

The only requirement for any warning to be given is in performance-based dismissals in unfair dismissal proceedings. If an employee is dismissed for poor performance and has never received a warning that they are underperforming, then it is likely that dismissal will be deemed to be unfair.

Workplace behaviours that warrant a written warning

Warnings tend to be issued when an employee is underperforming or has an unsatisfactory performance. This is usually related to an employee’s capacity to do the job rather than their conduct. The warning should clearly outline how the employee is underperforming, what they need to do to reach an acceptable level of performance, the timeframe for improvement and the consequence of failing to improve. Employers can also issue warnings for misconduct that doesn’t justify dismissal but is serious enough to be stopped and can be used to justify dismissal if the behaviour or misconduct continues.

The Fair Work Commission defines serious misconduct as employee conduct that causes serious risk to the health and safety of another person or to the reputation or profits of the business, or deliberately behaves in a manner that is inconsistent with continuing their employment. Examples of serious misconduct include theft, fraud, assault, refusing to carry out work duties or being drunk at work.

Can I dismiss my employee without a warning?

The starting point in assessing whether you can dismiss an employee is the employment contract. If the contract requires you to follow a dismissal process (which could require issuing warnings) then it must be followed, however employment contracts rarely implement these measures. More commonly employment contracts simply stipulate the amount of notice required to be provided in the event of termination.

There is no legal requirement specifying that employees must be given a particular number of written warnings before being dismissed. However, it’s worth noting that unfair dismissal claims have regularly been upheld by tribunals where an employee did not have a chance to respond to performance concerns or to improve their performance over a reasonable period of time.

What if an employee claims unfair dismissal?

Employees dismissed for performance or conduct reasons need to have completed six months’ service (or 12 months if they are employed by a small business with fewer than 15 employees) and earn under the high-income threshold (or be covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement).

If an employee is entitled to unfair dismissal protections, note that a warning appears to be relevant only in a performance dismissal and even then, it is only a consideration. There is certainly no requirement for several warnings and there is no distinction between written or verbal warnings.

While employers don’t legally need to give employees three warnings before dismissing them, it is important to give employees a chance to fix any performance or conduct issues. Therefore, giving employees at least one warning in writing before ending their employment is a good idea.

If you need more information or support in managing employees through disciplinary processes, speak to your HR representative, get in touch with the Fair Work Ombudsman or contact an employment lawyer for advice.
 

The annual commemoration pays respects to the original Anzac’s, as well as the men and women who have served in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. The day also explores the personal stories of service personnel in past and modern conflict. Anzac Day Dawn Service at Dee Why Beach is attended by thousands.

Thursday 25 April 2024
Dee Why Beach
Service starts: 5:30am

Following the Service, find out below what events and activities are taking place throughout DYRSL.

Anzac Day Breakfast.
From 6:30am

$5 Bacon and Egg Roll in Battery House, Bistro and Courtyard.
(Egg, cheese, bacon & tomato relish)

Play Two Up.
From 12:00pm
Don’t miss the one opportunity in the year to enjoy Two-Up with your mates at DYRSL in the Showroom (level 3).

Live Music in Courtyard.
From 12:00pm enjoy live music from talented local artists.

Lest we forget

All proceeds will go to supporting local veterans.

We are thrilled to announce that Simone has been chosen as our Temp of the Month yet again. Simone consistently goes above and beyond expectations, has outstanding dedication, hard work, and exceptional contributions to our clients, infact this is the feedback we just received.

“As our first employee Simone has been fantastic, she has gone over and above, and her experience has helped us set up new processes. We have received loads of compliments regarding Simone dealing with the public, she has been a great representative for us. I would highly recommend her for any position, and she has been a pleasure to work with.”

Congratulations once again, Simone! Keep up the fantastic work! #tempofthemonth #recognition #teamappreciation #hardworkpaysoff

When you apply for a role, most hirers will have just a few minutes to review your application. That means providing clear, concise information on you is key to standing out in those few minutes.

This, my friends is where a professional profile can help. While your resume and covering letter are the building blocks of a strong job application, a profile will give employers an overview of your skills and experience briefly, helping to capture their attention. A professional profile can be placed strategically at the beginning of your resume (a good idea if you’re unable to load a covering letter) you should also have it set up on LinkedIn and Seek (both platforms will guide you with layouts etc).

It means employers can get in touch with you about a great job opportunity, it’s also an opportunity for you to showcase yourself, what you’re looking for in an employer, what you can deliver, how you operate, while you’re also provided with job recommendations based on the information you provide.

More control over your job search- reading through hundreds of job ads and applying for each one can be time consuming but having a professional profile can take away a lot of this work. You can literally flick a switch on LinkedIn and Seek to have the recruiter or employer contact you, as well as be notified of jobs that meet your saved criteria.

A professional profile helps you find roles that align with what you’re looking for as you can choose when to be visible to companies. It puts you in the driver’s seat where before it used to be the employer.

Make a great first impression, quickly- yes, it is true 2 minutes or less is all it takes to review a CV and decide whether to progress you or not, it is like anything that you do repeatedly you get good and fast at doing it, not to be confused with lack of care and attentiveness. That means you need to quickly make a great first impression.

Giving employers a summary of your skills and experience is key to standing out, and that is exactly what a professional profile does. A profile could be the ticket to landing that next great opportunity, but not if you’re lacking the essential information potential employers are looking for. Just like your CV you need to keep it updated, even if you’re not actively seeking work.

Arm yourself with relevant market insights- your profile not only helps you stand out to hirers, but also helps you to keep informed about the job market and your industry. The more up to date the information you provide, the better your search experience will be as you’ll be served more relevant job opportunities that compliment your needs, experience, and interests. Additionally, the information you provide in your profile will help ensure you’re served relevant information about employment and salary trends in your industry.

Boost your chances of getting head hunted- being head hunted is much easier than job hunting. It is becoming more common lately as well with job seekers in short supply and recruiters increasingly searching for the people they need online. Even if you’re not actively looking for a job, there may be a great opportunity out there that you don’t know about. Having a professional profile means you won’t miss out on seeing these.

Build your personal brand- your profile can also be an extension of your professional brand acting like your own online marketing tool that works 24/7. In fact, 39% of job seekers agree that a professional profile allows them to add their personality in to make their application stand out.

Getting started- It is a great way to make yourself relevant and appealing to potential employers, and edge you closer to your next job. It can be your best asset in keeping your career options open.

Join us in commemorating nearly three decades of connecting talent with opportunity! As a leading recruitment agency on the Northern Beaches we’ve spent 29 incredible years cultivating relationships, forging pathways, and making dreams come true. From matching the perfect candidates to their dream jobs, to partnering with amazing local companies, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary filled with the highs and lows. From the early days of couriering/faxing resumes and timing candidates on shorthand to the online testing of today with sophisticated databases encompassing AI technology. Let us continue shaping the future together. Drop us a message to explore exciting opportunities and be a part of our legacy! #29yearsstrong #recruitmentexperts #careergrowth #recruitment #keepitlocal #happybirthday #earlyyears

Congratulations Monique you have been invaluable to our client, and they had wonderful praise for you. “She has stepped in over the Christmas break and has been a part of the team from Day 1. There were some IT issues which she took in her stride. She gets in and gets the job done and is more than willing to help wherever she is needed. Thank you, Monique!” Here she is this morning receiving her gift and certificate of thanks from PP! Well done.

Happy 2024, can you believe we are nearly through January. We are well and truly into the New Year now having spent this week catching up on all the correspondence from the break. Our various holidays were filled with some unforgettable moments and new skills acquired so we wanted to say hi and share.

Christmas on Top of the World Amanda celebrating Christmas on top of Sydney CBD was a dream come true! The city and the breathtaking views from high above made it an experience to remember. Truly, there’s nothing quite like Christmas in Sydney!

Sunset at Pildappa Rock Nature blessed Lisa with a spectacular show as she witnessed the sun bid adieu at Pildappa Rock in South Australia with her lifelong friends. Moments like these remind us of the simple yet profound wonders that make us happy.

Oyster Shucking on the Hawkesbury River Who knew shucking oysters could be so satisfying? Leigh spent a day by the Hawkesbury River, learning the art of oyster shucking. However, mastering the art of opening these delicacies was much harder than she imagined!

As the saying goes, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey,” and this holiday season was a testament to that. Grateful for the experiences, the laughter, and the joy shared with loved ones. Now, it’s time to unpack, reminisce about these incredible moments, and get back to work #officeisopen #backfromholiday #memories #pildapparock #oysters #sydneytower #happynewyear #recruitment #peninsulapersonnel

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with your loved ones! We will be in the office until Thursday for any last-minute requests. See you in the New Year #MerryChristmas #SeasonsGreetings #HappyNewYear

Congratulations Diana!

The lovely Diana was recognised for an amazing year of hard work and dedication to both Peninsula Personnel and her host company. She was awarded both the “Excellence Award for Temp of the Month for November 2023” and “Golden Temp of the Year 2023” Diana received 2 certificates and some lovely prizes that were delivered to her office. Thank you, Diana, for all that you do, we appreciate YOU!

Here is snippet of the feedback we got about Diana

“Diana is a valuable and reliable team member, she is diligent in carrying out her day-to-day tasks, and always going above and beyond to help our customer queries and sales team.   Her efforts are gratefully appreciated by her colleagues, Jenni and Leah and the wider supply chain team.  Well done, Diana!”

“Diana is an amazing colleague to work with she is so thorough in everything she does, she follows everything through from start to finish and nothing is too much trouble. She has the best “can do attitude” I have ever seen, and she helps me every day more than I can express. To say that I am grateful to have her work alongside me would be an understatement, THANKS DIANA, YOU’RE A STAR and we are so lucky to have you XX”.

Do you think a hobby is worth adding to your resumé? While they aren’t necessary, your passion projects can lend valuable insight into you as a person. They’re a great way to add some personality to your resumé, show how you balance work and life and add dimension to you as a person, not just an applicant. Your hobbies can reveal what’s important to you, like how you keep fit, let your creativity flow, or commit to self-development. They paint you as a well-rounded person. Sometimes, they can be key factors to support your suitability to the role you’re applying for. But is it always okay to add hobbies to your resumé? And if so, which do you choose?

Why you should include hobbies and interests on your resumé.
The interests to put on a resumé should in some way relate to the role, even if it’s not obvious at first. This way, you’re showing what you’re passionate about while highlighting relevant skills. For example, say you’re in the tech industry and you love gaming and building PCs. You should include this in your hobbies as it shows you have a passion for technology and hardware and demonstrates practical skills in setting up IT systems. You’ll stand out from other candidates who have the same qualifications and experience, but no proof of their interest in the field outside of a professional setting. 

How to choose the right activities for a resumé.
You probably enjoy doing a wide range of different things in your own time – but some are more suited to your resumé than others. So, which are the right activities for a resumé? 

Start by looking at the job you’re applying for and consider which of your interests, hobbies or activities may be relevant. Think about the skills and qualities the employer is looking for, especially the ones directly referenced in the job ad. For example, they may say there is heavy lifting involved. If you regularly go to the gym or do weight training, this may be something you add to showcase your suitability. It should go without saying that you avoid mentioning any controversial, political, or risky hobbies and interests. It’s best to appear as neutral as possible, unless those hobbies are especially relevant to the role you’re going for.

Where to include your hobbies and interests on a resumé.
As a list in its own section at the bottom of the resumé, underneath the work history, education and skills sections. Keep the hobbies listed brief, and ideally in bullet points if used in a section of their own. They should add to your resumé, not distract from it.

How to write a brief description of each hobby or interest.
You may have space to add a few words about your hobbies and interests for resumé applications, especially if you’re still at the start of your career. Keep descriptions brief and try to connect them to the job, explaining how your hobby-related skills are a benefit to the company. Start by listing what the hobby or activity is, then provide a little more detail about it before linking it back to the role. For example, you could say you play soccer to keep fit, an important part of jobs in landscaping, emergency services or construction. If you’re a copywriter, you could mention the genre of books you read, any personal blogs you keep, or writing clubs you belong to that show that you are passionate about your craft.

Examples of hobbies and interests for a resumé.
If you’re stuck on what interests to include in your resumé, look at these examples to see what may work for you and the role you’re applying for. 

Sports and fitness activities.
Mentioning sports and fitness activities on your resumé can be a good way to demonstrate you are fit, healthy and disciplined. They can be handy to add to resumés or applications for physically demanding jobs, like removalists, construction trades, personal training, teaching and more.

Creative pursuits such as painting, writing or music.
Creative hobbies like painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument can demonstrate to a hiring manager that you not only have creative skills but also have passion and self-motivation. They show you are a person who can probably think outside the box and find creative ways to solve a problem. Applications for creative roles like graphic designers, art therapists, writers and content marketers could all benefit from listing creative pursuits. But you could also add them to other non-creative job applications too. 

Volunteer work and community involvement.
Volunteer work and community involvement should be added to your resumé, as long as it’s relevant. It shows your passion for helping people (or animals or the environment), your sense of community and your empathy – traits most companies highly regard. 

Let’s say you’re a carpenter who has donated time to help repair homes in disadvantaged communities. This addition to your resumé shows a personal, caring side to you, and gives you a point of difference that should stand out in the mind of the interviewer. Your experience could have been something more casual; you may have donated your time to work behind the counter at a charity shop, which demonstrates your altruism alongside customer service and cashier skills. 

Travel and cultural experiences.
Including travel as an interest to put on a resumé can give you an advantage for many roles. If the job ad mentions specific language skills, travel requirements or knowledge of other countries or cultures, then travel-related hobbies and experiences may increase your chances of getting a callback. 

Professional development and continuing education.
Every company benefits from their team bringing new skills to the table. If you’re currently studying or are interested in developing your skills, then this is something an interviewer would want to see on your resumé. Good education-related activities for resumés include skills you would put in an objective statement.

Personal projects and hobbies that demonstrate skills relevant to the job.
If you’re passionate about the work you do, it’s likely your career and your hobbies somewhat overlap. Tradespeople, decorators and real estate agents might renovate and flip houses in their spare time, while a content writer may write novels. If you have a personal project or hobby that demonstrates skills you can bring to the job, include them in your hobbies on your resumé. Just be prepared to elaborate on them in your interview. 

How to talk about your hobbies and interests in an interview.
If you add hobbies and interests into your resumé, you’ll probably be asked about them in your interview. To prepare for these questions, make sure you consider how they would benefit your role in the company and why it’s something you prioritise in your life. When speaking about your hobbies and interests, show your passion for them. Enthusiasm is always a desirable quality in an employee. Keep your explanation positive and connect your passions back to your work and the job requirements.

Adding your hobbies and interests to a resumé can add a unique touch to your application. It’s a different way to stand out from the crowd, showing passion for what you do or unique skills you have that may not be obvious by reading your work experience or education. It’s all about how you connect your hobbies and interests back to the job. To showcase your hobbies and passions, be concise on your resumé and be ready to provide more explanation in your interview most effectively. Show your passion, discipline, and the extra skills you’ve picked up, and you’ve got a winning combination to land the role you want.