Across the board, Australian businesses can and must be better at utilising the unique perspectives and experiences of their more senior employees – particularly in a market defined by rapid workplace and technological change.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Taking it Forward founder and chief executive and human resources executive Lana Johnston about the importance of reflecting on the need to better utilise older workers, why businesses may be failing to get the most out of such a cohort, perceptions that hold such workers back, and the challenges they face on the ground.

Johnston also delves into the perspectives that older workers can bring to the table for their younger counterparts, the practical steps to better utilising them and their abilities, what businesses need to be asking of themselves, what works and doesn’t work, and bringing the whole workforce along for the journey.

The year 2024 provided numerous examples of underpayment and wage theft violations, with a number of employers facing repercussions. Yet in 2025, the consequences for these indiscretions will be much harsher – with jail time not off the table.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Smart WFM founder and chief executive Jarrod McGrath about what the new wage theft criminalisation laws – which are set to come into place next year – mean for Australian HR leaders and senior organisational executives.

McGrath describes the vital function that correct payroll systems have when it comes to underpayments, with the vast majority of these contraventions being a by-product of flawed payroll systems that permeate errors. McGrath also expounds on the widespread trust issue that can arise as a result of underpayment of even a single employee, as workers often lose faith in their employer when incidents like this take place. Finally, McGrath dives into the intricate details of the new laws that will, without a doubt, have a huge effect on the job role of HR teams in 2025.

A “tsunami” of wellness workplace issues could be coming for Australian businesses, highlighting the importance of redesigning environmental structures to better ensure optimal outcomes for staff and team objectives.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Elemental Coaching and Psychology chief mental health adviser Kate Connors about how well Australian workplaces are faring on the wellness front post-pandemic, the headline consequences for teams that are not functioning at optimal levels, market factors exacerbating poor wellness at present, and the urgent need to redesign workplace structures.

Connors also delves into the questions that businesses and leaders need to ask in redesigning such structures, what works and doesn’t work in undertaking a redesign, practical implementation, the need for evaluation, avoiding looking for quick wins, and the role of HR in ensuring a return on investment.