Congratulations Temp of the Month – Luiz De Souza, he describes his current assignment as the best job since arriving in Australia. ‘’I absolutely love working here, everyone is extremely friendly & attentive and help me when needed. I thank you so much for connecting me with them. I look forward to helping them for a long time to come”.

Our client agrees saying, Luiz is a hard worker. He is consistent, reliable, and always pleasant when communicating with anyone and everyone.  He is willing to learn and offers to help with anything needing doing. All the staff love working with him. We are so happy with Luiz that we have decided to sponsor him. That really says it all.

Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.5 per cent as the nation records an unprecedented return from the economic damage wrought by COVID-19. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows between March and April the nation’s unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points.

It’s the sixth consecutive fall in the unemployment rate after it peaked in July 2020 at 7.4 per cent. Australia’s unemployment rate is now just 0.2 per cent – or 33,000 people – above where it was prior to the start of the pandemic.

Notably, the ABS said the end of the JobKeeper wage subsidy “did not have a discernible impact”.

“We have not seen large changes in the indicators that would suggest a clear JobKeeper impact, such as an increase in people working reduced or zero hours for economic reasons or because they were leaving their job,” Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said.

“We also haven’t seen large net flows out of employment across many population groups. “Some of the 31,000 fall in employment may relate to the end of JobKeeper, but it could also reflect usual month-to-month variation in the labour market and some larger than usual seasonal changes similar to those we saw earlier in the year.”

Mr Jarvis said labour force data also showed promising signs for Australians aged 15 to 24. “The youth unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since the Global Financial Crisis, reflecting a strong increase in employment for young men, following a number of increases for young women in recent months,” Mr Jarvis said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today’s figures showed his government’s plan is working. “With unemployment falling to 5.5 per cent, 33,800 more full-time jobs being created and youth unemployment down to the lowest level since 2009, our plan to secure Australia’s recovery is working,” Mr Morrison tweeted.

He was joined by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who recently handed down a Federal Budget which was hedged on reducing the nation’s employment rate to below 5 per cent.

“The unemployment rate has fallen to 5.5 per cent. The Morrison Government’s plan to get Australians back into jobs is working,” Mr Frydenberg tweeted. “#Budget2021 is all about locking in our recovery & creating more jobs.”

Source: Stuart Marsh – NINE News

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers. From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd May 2021, NVW will celebrate the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers. Each year these volunteers dedicate over 600 million hours to help others. www.GoVolunteer.com.au

The theme for NVW 2021 is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. which acknowledges that it is time to: 

RECOGNISE, celebrate and thank volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives. 
Never has this been more evident than after a year where Australia has dealt with drought, devastating bushfires, floods and then a global pandemic. Amidst the pandemic, while many of us stayed home, volunteers continued to deliver essential services, organise food packages and offer care, comfort and more to support the well-being of Australians. Volunteers make our communities stronger, especially during times of need, crisis or isolation.

RECONNECT to what is important by giving our time to help others and ourselves.
In a year when many of us have experienced increased loneliness or isolation, mental health or financial stress, volunteering can help. Evidence shows that volunteering connects us to others in our local communities, to better mental well-being or to potential pathways to employment. When we help others in our community or give our time to a cause we value, we also give back to ourselves. Explore volunteer opportunities by visiting www.GoVolunteer.com.au

REIMAGINE how we better support volunteers and communities they help. 
Since 2014, Australia has seen a 20 per cent decline in the number of hours volunteers give. During COVID-19, two-thirds of volunteers stopped working and a recent study highlights that social purpose organisations continue to lose one in four volunteers due to illness or caring responsibilities. In the current changing environment, where Australians are time-poor and experiencing higher degrees of uncertainty and stress, we need to reimagine how we do things. We need to collaborate more and adapt our volunteering practices and programs so we can better support and engage volunteers to continue the necessary work that they do.

National Volunteer Week is supported again in 2021 by Aon Australia.

For more information about National Volunteer Week 2021, please email Volunteering Australia. 

Does your Monday bring a new beginning, or an end to your free weekend? Check out how one persons journey to bring calm energy and optimism to the start of the working week by remembering the simple things we all know.

Mondays are so unforgiving. I used to think my commute and job were to blame, ‘But since I became a freelance illustrator, enjoying working from home, I find Mondays to be equally dreadful – and so do my freelance friends.’

For most of us, Monday’s mean waking to a familiar sense of gloom as we return to the stresses and demands of work. A survey revealed we are more likely to be ill or take time off at the start of the week, with 35 per cent of all sick days falling on a Monday. Another a study carried out showed that heart attacks peak on that day of the week, even if we do not work.

Why is Monday gloom so widespread, even when we are in fulfilling jobs? ‘Most of us habitually attach negative meanings to the day, ‘We associate Mondays with a loss of freedom. We miss choosing how we will spend our time.’ Monday marks the end of days shared with family and friends or relaxed, free hours. So how can we stop our mood from sinking when Sunday draws to a close?

Finding freedom
One way to counter the sense of lost freedom is to remember that we have chosen the Mondays we face – doing whatever jobs we do.  ‘Remind yourself you can always walk away,’ ‘This retrieves your personal power. With that, you’re able to own the day and choose the outcome you want.’

Change your mindset!
A little forward planning can help us start the week more smoothly. ‘We make Mondays so much more miserable by believing we should be more productive,’ But Mondays are not the time for challenging work. There is no point in cold calling, making a sales pitch or having a difficult conversation. ‘Monday mornings are the perfect time to do things that can make the rest of the week more productive, such as cleaning out some files or, better still, clarifying your goals for the week.’ ‘Another good way to begin thinking differently about Mondays is to start doing things differently on that day,’ ‘Making small, incremental changes will have a powerful effect on the way you think and feel. On Sunday, list five small things you could do differently on Monday. For example, give yourself an extra 10 minutes in the morning to read a book. Yes, most of us are rushing around on Mondays, but just imagine how much calmer and motivated you will feel to get out of bed, if you start the day this way. ‘Think up strategies like this for various parts of the day. Have something different for breakfast or, if you can’t eat, drink a glass of warm water cooled from the kettle to get your digestive system going.’

Mini meditations
Clearing your mind with mini meditations can help you to feel calmer. ‘Few of us have time to relax on a Monday, but moments of stillness in the day can be beneficial,’ ‘Try this exercise, The Basic Minute, at work: create a place of solitude (the loo is often the best place!). Sit down. Set a watch or mobile phone alarm for exactly one minute. Put your legs and hands in relaxed but fixed positions. Close your eyes and allow your mind to settle into your breathing. When the alarm goes off, stop. By doing just a little meditation, you will be a bit more at peace with the day.’

Harness the Friday feeling
Adding a few weekend-style treats to your working week can make Mondays feel a little less stressful. ‘Many of us live for the weekend and look forward to having the time to rest, see friends, go shopping or out for a meal,’ But if we make time, there is nothing to stop us having a mid-week date with friends or going to the cinema after work. Why keep all the fun stuff and good times for the weekend?’ ‘Knowing that you will leave slightly early on a Wednesday to recharge will make the week seem less daunting,’ You can do a lot on Friday to make Monday more bearable. ‘At the weekend, we often carry work worries home, ticking over in our subconscious minds,’ ‘On Friday nights, have a little “handover” ritual, as if you were going on holiday. Write a to-do list and get everything in place for Monday.’ ‘List five things you have done really well that week,’ ‘Then list two things that you will do differently next week. That way you will get a sense of achievement and feel that you are learning and progressing.’

Body and soul
When you do reach the weekend, adopt healthy habits to help you feel happier and more energetic as Monday approaches. ‘Don’t forget the mind and body are interconnected,’ ‘The food you eat, the sleep you get, and how active you are alters your body chemistry, which in turn alters your moods and thoughts.’ ‘Resist the temptation to sleep in – you’ll find it harder to wake on Monday morning,’ ‘Eat three meals plus two snacks a day, to keep energy levels constant.’ ‘Avoid the temptation to de-stress by drinking lots of alcohol,’ ‘It will contribute to an energy crash on Monday. Nurture your body, instead. Walk more and eat well. ‘Above all, stop telling yourself that you dread Mondays. The truth is, for most of us, Mondays are not too bad – and with a few little changes to our thinking habits, we can reclaim a day when the whole week lies untouched in front of us, full of potential.’

Congratulations Cynthia and Lisa, you’re both doing outstanding work and we are very thankful as are our clients.

Cynthia Lam – April 2021
I really enjoy this role the environment is easy going, the management team are great to work with very helpful and very understanding. I have also become more experienced with xero and been able to assist with reconciling online donations and taking payments from customers.
Client says – Cynthia has been a real help and has picked up very quickly all tasks requested of her in a cheerful and helpful manner. Not only that, but she has stepped in to assist whilst I have had to unexpectedly recover from an injury during an extremely busy time for our organisation. Cynthia is defiantly a trooper!

Lisa Monk – April 2021
People and company are lovely.
Client says – “Lisa has been an outstanding addition to the Finance team and has been quick to adapt to a new and constantly evolving environment. She has taken ownership of Accounts Receivable and led the way in clearing a backlog of over 1000 customer email requests, bringing down response times significantly and improving our outstanding debt position at the same. She is resourceful in finding solutions to issues that don’t have a clear answer and does this all with a smile on her face and is a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend her for temp of the month.”

Taking care of older people in the aged care services industry may be one of the most demanding and challenging jobs within the health care sector. It also comes with plentiful rewards and opportunities that can lead to a gratifying career. If you are passionate about helping people, moving into aged care is your chance to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

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Aged care in Australia is starting down a path towards massive change. Despite being one of the largest industries — one Australia is increasingly dependent on — it is also one of the most understaffed, under skilled and underfunded.

These facts are baffling. The number of Australians over the age of 85 is expected to rise over 50% by 2058, to 1.5 million. Along with the increased frailty of our elderly population, this is the reason that qualified, caring aged care professionals are in demand. Qualified and caring are the operative words in that statement. 

The Royal Commission inquiry into Australia’s aged care industry revealed that these two things are shockingly absent from the industry.

The path towards change in aged care requires many more dedicated, passionate, and caring workers to enter the industry and make an impact. However, these traits are not inherent in everyone, and finding people with an innate capacity to care is rare. If you possess these traits, you are exactly the kind of person this industry is crying out for.

As an aged care worker, you would be able to dedicate your career to supporting those living out the later chapters in their lives. It is a deeply rewarding career. But making the decision to become an aged care worker is not always straightforward. 

You will want to consider factors like:

What area of aged care should you pursue?

Which specialisation are you most passionate about?

Will the job really suit you?

What aged care qualifications should you study?

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If you are deciding whether aged care is for you visit https://www.training.com.au/ it is an extremely interactive and informative website that provides you all the content and course information needed to get you started in Aged Care. Source: by Penny Cannata

An expert has revealed what the ATO will be looking out for on your tax return this year – and there’s a warning for those who like to get sorted early.

Scrutiny of individual’s tax returns this financial year will include work-related expenses, rental deductions and capital gains from cryptocurrency, property and shares, the Australian Taxation Office has revealed.

But it has advised Aussies not to rush to file their tax return in early July, even if they’re expecting some bonus cash to boost their bank balance.

The ATO often see lots of mistakes in early July as people rush to get their tax returns done and forget to include income from banks, dividends from shares, sharing economy platforms and cryptocurrency exchange.

This information will be automatically included in your tax return by the end of July. To avoid mistakes and refund delays, it’s best to wait for this information to be automatically included. If you want to lodge earlier, you must take care to manually add all your income.

With a lot of people working from home this financial year due to the pandemic, the ATO has advised a temporary shortcut method for claiming working from home expenses will be available.

This allows people with working from home expenses to claim an all-inclusive rate of 80 cents per hour for every hour people work from home, rather than needing to separately calculate costs for specific expenses and apportioning the work and private component.

However, people must have a record of the number of hours they worked from home like using a timesheet.

There are three golden rules when claiming work related expenses, you must have spent the money and not been reimbursed, the expenses must directly relate to earning your income and must not be private in nature and you must have a record to prove it, like a receipt.

Futurists, researchers, and training experts predict very different jobs and skills will be in demand when today’s newborns finish high school in 2038.

Pause. In about 18 years, today’s newborns – dubbed the iso babies – will be entering the workforce for the first time. The jobs they do, the skills they need, and the way they work and learn will likely be very different. Experts share their predictions and their advice for parents of children born amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOW WILL THEY WORK?
By 2038, people will work longer hours than ever before. That is the prediction of futurist Morris Miselowski, who has been working alongside employment marketplace SEEK to uncover future key trends. “I’m not saying the future generations will be in the office longer hours than now,” he says. “But due to technology advances it is harder to leave work behind.” Miselowski predicts 60 per cent of the population will also be working in more than one role.

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“In the past, the social norm was to have one job, whereas our children will soon have a number of jobs at any given time,” he says. “By 2038, our children will be planning for 80-plus years of career and 100-plus years of life.”

WHAT JOBS WILL THEY DO?
Miselowski expects many future jobs will be focused on food creation as the population continues to grow and the world must find new ways to keep up with demand for food.

“Roles in this industry will include 4D-printed food technician, cultured meat scientist, synthetic food designer, food-as-medicine nutritionist and food bank logistic officer,”

The futurist also forecasts jobs in the energy sector will develop as society becomes more energy efficient and jobs in transport and logistics will increase as people change the way they get around. “Owning a car and having a driver’s licence will not be the norm for a teenager in 2038,” he says.

“Instead, they’ll expect their tech to autonomously organise a ride share, hire them a bike, book and pay for public transport, provide walking directions or provide options on how to get there.” The largest increase in jobs, however, is expected in health. “As we are living for longer, there is going to be a shift in the typical health practices, and the focus will be on wellness and self-care jobs, along with new technology advances in these areas,” he says.

Miselowski does not predict any industries will disappear altogether but expects a significant decrease in physical and manual jobs as well as administrative jobs such as bookkeeping, filing roles and clerks. “These types of routine jobs will no longer be required to be done by humans,” he says. Futurist Michael McQueen, who was keynote speaker at the Professional Speakers Australia convention this month, says artificial intelligence is already taking over a lot of functions in law and accounting. He says the jobs that will not be affected will be those that require resilience, creativity, and the ability to negotiate.

WHICH SKILLS WILL BE NEEDED?
Miselowski says the human skills that will be most important for today’s iso babies are communication, empathy, imagination, creativity, wisdom, and the ability to collaborate with others. But human skills will not be the only skills in demand. It finds 64 per cent of Australian workers currently apply digital skills in their job and about one in five apply “advanced” digital skills – such as the ability to customise digital solutions or create new digital tools, software, and applications. People will need to think of skills in two buckets – horizontal and vertical skills. “Horizontal skills are the ones that cut across different areas and technologies (such as) digital problem solving, digital ethics and digital project management,” he says. “These are the no-brainers all workers will need to develop going forward. “Vertical competencies are more technology specific (such as cloud architecture and cybersecurity) and more likely to change. “You’ll need the combination of both to be competitive in the future.”

QUALITIES TO INSTIL IN ISO BABIES IN THE COMING YEARS
Capacity for calm and confidence. Every message since COVID has been “Be careful, don’t touch” as they are wired to think it is a dangerous place. How do we combat that once the danger has passed? Connection with nature, as we are increasingly urbanised, we need that connection with nature and supply chains – rediscovering where food comes from and how farming and agriculture works. Creativity and imagination. When you have got artificial intelligence, a lot more of the transactional work is being done by technology, but what the tech cannot do is think creatively. Humans create, think, and ask questions and that is the most important skill anyone will need. Financial skills kids learning to save with physical money but in the last 12 months most of us have not been using cash. For this generation, everything is tap and go. We need to make sure children think of money as a physical and tangible thing. Empathy and body language skills. Particularly in a virtual environment with remote learning and work, getting a sense of what another person is thinking and communicating is a skill people will need even more. Ability to make small talk.

These days, communication has a digital filter, so you do not have the nuances of pleasantries when talking on the phone and face-to-face – but it is so important. Recruiters admit a person does or does not get a job well before the first question is asked. They are looking to see can they hold a conversation and maintain eye contact.

 The employee experience is the way in which employees perceive and are impacted by their work, their supervisors and leaders, and the other various touch points they encounter within and around an organisation.

There are three, vital interrelated concepts, of which the employee experience is just one component.

These three elements are:

1. Culture can readily be understood as “the way things are done around a particular place or within a certain group. When addressing an organisation that has employees, we define culture as those values, norms, guiding beliefs, principles, and common understandings that are shared among members of the organisation.

2. The employee experience is the impact an organisation’s culture has on its individual employees. The employee experience is that intersection where an individual bumps into the organisation’s culture, either for good or bad. When dealing with an employee’s experience, we are seeking their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about what it is like to work at a particular organisation or company.

3. Employee engagement is the positive emotional response employees have to their individual employee experiences. If alignment between the employee experience and the individual’s personality, viewpoints, values, etc., is high, then the individual will bring more of themselves to the organisation’s mission and purpose. 

humanresourcestoday

Legal Definition of Casual Worker

A stripped-back version of the government’s industrial relations reforms has passed Federal Parliament last week, triggering changes for the rights of casual workers.

The legislation change will create a legal definition of a casual worker for the first time, quashing so-called “double dipping” claims for backpay created by the Workpac ruling.

Under the new laws, regular casuals will be able to ask for a permanent job after 12 months, but employers would have some grounds to say no.

Acting Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash declared the passage of the legislation is a “significant win” for workers wanting to secure a permanent role.”These measures will protect jobs into the future, a critical move as Australia moves out of the economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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