Issue 49 I NOVEMBER 2018

In this edition: SalaryOne annual surveys, positive psychology, InstaPay, employee turnover, Go home on time day and financial bonuses

Our annual surveys are now in full swing with the launch of the 2nd annual WALGA Salary and Workforce Survey on 29 October and the 5th annual SalaryOne WA Not-for-Profit Remuneration Survey on 13 November. Local governments and not-for-profit organisations are invited to participate in our annual surveys and you can find more details in this newsletter.

Articles in this edition include a report on positive psychology in the workplace, Go home on time day, Employment Hero’s InstaPay and causes of employee turnover.

The KPI of the month reveals some of the new metrics in the SalaryOne WA Not-for-Profit Remuneration Survey, including salary data on up to 150 positions.

We also look at bonuses and one HR consultant’s view why financial incentives don’t work.

Enjoy the read
Julian Keys

Julian Keys I Director

Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release on the Internet. It is the responsibility of the reader to make his or her own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability, and correctness of the information provided.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid - Albert Einstein

Happy at work

A report revealing five findings on positive psychology in the workplace. Research has found that happy employees are healthier, more productive and are better team players. Happy companies are more profitable, with reduced absenteeism and lower employee turnover rates. Source: The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Go home on time day, 21 November

The average full-time worker in Australia works 5.1 hours per week unpaid overtime. That’s 264 hours per year. Go home on time day aims to remind people of the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Life shouldn’t revolve solely around work, so commit to going home on time this 21 November. Source: The Australia Institute

Employment Hero InstaPay

21% of Australians don’t have access to $500 in case of emergency and often turn to expensive payday lenders for quick cash solutions. To combat this, Employment Hero have developed InstaPay to give employees access to part of their earned wages before pay day. Source: Employment Hero

Causes of high employee turnover

An AHRI Pulse Survey has revealed an average 16% employee turnover rate across all Australian businesses. Five common contributors to employee turnover include poor company culture, overworked employees, no coaching and a lack of career development. Source: Redii

SalaryOne Surveys

The 2nd annual WALGA Salary and Workforce Survey powered by SalaryOne launched on 29 October 2018. This is a comprehensive survey of WA and NT local government salary market rates, workforce profiles and trends.

Read the full media release here.

New Survey Metrics

No chart this month. Rather, a list of the new metrics in the 5th annual SalaryOne WA Not-for-Profit Remuneration Survey which launches this week.

Salary data on up to 150 positions
Average salary per full-time equivalent
CEO/Median paid worker pay multiple
Employee salary packaging participation rate
Fleet cars per 100 employees

Any not-for-profit organisation in WA can participate in the survey. However, NFPs must purchase an annual subscription to receive the results and access the full web portal. Email info@salaryone.com.au

Annual close down

Workplace Info has released an informative guide for employers planning to shut down over the Christmas/New Year period. The guide covers modern awards, award/agreement free employees, public holidays, long service leave, school holidays and providing notice to employees. Source: Workplace Info

Should commuting count as work?

Researchers at the University of the West of England (UWE) found that many commuters use this time to check their emails and catch up on work. The findings suggested that if commute time was counted as work time, commuter pressure may ease and allow for greater working flexibility. Source: LinkedIn

New unpaid family and domestic violence leave entitlement in awards
The Fair Work Commission has added a new clause to Modern Awards. The clause entitles all employees covered by an award to unpaid leave to deal with family and domestic violence. The new leave entitlement applies from 1 August 2018. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

Victorian employees now have long service leave after 7 years

Most Victorian employees are now entitled to long service leave after 7 years’ continuous employment. This online resource includes an online calculator to determine how much leave is owing. Source: Business Victoria

The gig economy: hyper flexibility or sham contracting

A Senate committee has investigated the pros and pitfalls of the rising gig economy in Australia. With concerns that it has become a way for companies to avoid their legal obligations to employees, the committee has recommended that the Fair Work Act be amended to ensure all workers are protected. Source: Senate report, Chapter 8

6 Reasons Why Financial Bonuses Don't Work

Emily Jaksch from HR Gurus in Melbourne says there are six reasons why financial bonuses don’t work.

1. Incentives drive people’s focus towards them which in turn creates a negative culture.

2. Incentives erode team collaboration (Me vs We).

3. Incentives provide opportunities for people to fudge the numbers in order to make the $ work for them = bad behaviour.

4. Incentives take people’s focus away from your clients and exceptional customer service.

5. Incentives based on numbers gives executives the platform to put profits before people.

6. Incentives create 'dog eat dog' environments where people are willing to throw everyone under the bus in order for them to gain.

Simple Strategy

Keep strategy simple and make five choices:

1. What is our winning aspiration?

2. Where will we play?

3. How will we win?

4. What capabilities must be in place?

5. What management systems are required?

Source: Roger Martin, Rotman, The big lies of strategy

You cannot analyze your way to a perfect answer. What you can do is imagine possibilities and make choices that you believe to be the most compelling you can make. Sometimes you will be right, and sometimes you will be wrong - Roger Martin

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