Once upon a time in 2024…

At HR Dynamics, every year feels like a new chapter, and 2024 was no different. It began with excitement, welcomed fresh faces, saw triumphs, and encountered challenges that shaped us. Here’s the story of a year that will be remembered for its growth, resilience, and connection.

‍

Welcoming New Faces & Cherished Returns

This year, we were thrilled to welcome Kristina, Nina, Andie, and Shayla to the HR Dynamics family. Each of them brings unique skills and fresh perspectives that have enriched our work. With their contributions, we’ve grown stronger as a team.

We also welcomed back Teneal after her parental leave! Teneal brings a wealth of knowledge, especially around Awards and best practices, and she’s always ready with thoughtful insights and solutions. Welcome back, Teneal—we’ve missed you!

‍

Adventures & Accolades

As the pages turned, we hit an incredible milestone: 1,000 Facebook followers! This was more than a number—it was a celebration of the community we’ve built with you.

But the spotlight truly shone on Bec and Phoebe, whose hard work and collaboration earned them the CWBC Collaboration of the Year Award 🎉.

We are so beyond proud of both of them and they deserve it! When it was announced they were nominated, all our responses were the same - they were made for this award!

‍

‍

Investing in Growth & Community

This year was all about expansion—both in the services we offer and the communities we support.

We introduced new services designed to meet the evolving needs of organisations:

• Ongoing HR Support Packages to provide peace of mind and on-demand assistance.
• HR Audits for clarity and confidence in compliance.
• Team Development Services, including our exciting Team Bonding sessions, to strengthen workplace connections.
  

But we didn’t stop there. We also gave back to the communities that inspire us, proudly sponsoring Cairns Eagles and Flinders Cricket Club. These partnerships reflect our belief in fostering growth both on and off the field, creating opportunities for future leaders to shine.

‍

Navigating New Workplace Laws in 2024

This year saw some game-changing updates to workplace laws that organisations must navigate to stay compliant and support their teams effectively.

• The Right to Disconnect: Employees now have the right to unplug outside working hours, encouraging better work-life balance and reducing burnout —> Learn More
• Casual Employment Redefined: New criteria focus on the reality of work arrangements rather than just contract terms, requiring many businesses to reassess their employment practices -> Learn More
• Contractor Protections: Changes to Fair Work laws introduced a clearer definition of contractors and gave the Fair Work Commission power to set minimum standards for gig workers, ensuring fairness in an evolving workplace.
• Closing Loopholes: Legislation targeting underpayment and other breaches introduced stricter penalties, emphasising the importance of compliance for organisations of all sizes.
  

Each of these changes reflects a growing emphasis on fairness, transparency, and employee well-being. At HR Dynamics, we’ve been working closely with organisations to ensure they’re not only compliant, but thriving in this new environment.

Fair Work Cases: Big & Small Lessons

This year brought some significant Fair Work cases that underscored the importance of compliance for organisations of all sizes.

• $72 Million Underpayment: The University of Melbourne paid a record $72 million to over 25,000 staff, proving payroll errors can have massive consequences.
• $15.3 Million in Penalties: A major organisation faced hefty fines for systemic underpayments, highlighting the need for robust compliance.
• Small Business, Big Impact: A café fined $50,000 for missing penalty rates shows no organisation is too small to be targeted.
  

No matter the size of your organisation, compliance matters. HR Dynamics is here to help you stay ahead.

The Next Chapter: 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, there are even more changes on the horizon for workplaces across Australia.

• SCHADS Award Updates: Changes to the SCHADS Award are coming, impacting shift arrangements, payment requirements, and employee entitlements. To help you stay informed, we’ve prepared this video guide.
• Criminalisation of Wage Theft: Starting 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages will become a criminal offence.
  Employers will commit an offence if:
  • They’re required to pay an amount to an employee (such as wages) or on behalf of or for the benefit of an employee (such as superannuation) under the Fair Work Act or an industrial instrument.
  • They intentionally engage in conduct that results in their failure to pay those amounts to or for the employee on or before the day they’re due to be paid.
• For more details on this critical change, visit Fair Work’s resource page.
  

Save the date! Join us for our HR in 2025 webinar on the 29th of January as we discuss key HR trends, compliance updates, and more! Click here to register now!

‍

‍

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

To our clients, partners, and followers—your trust and support make everything we do possible. Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We can’t wait to continue working with you in 2025, tackling new challenges and celebrating more successes together. Here’s to a bright new chapter ahead!

‍

‍