Blog
Welcome to the People By Design HR blog, where we delve into the intricate intersections of human resources, organisational psychology, and workplace culture.
Join us as we uncover the strategies and stories behind building resilient, engaged, and thriving organisations through effective people practices.
10 Employee Benefits That Actually Keep Great People
In today's employment market, salary alone is no longer enough to attract and retain great employees. While competitive pay remains important, many employees are asking a different question before accepting—or staying in—a role: "What else does this employer offer...
5 Workplace Personalities Every Leader Should Understand
Every workplace is made up of different personalities, experiences, communication styles, and ways of working. While this diversity can be one of a business’s greatest strengths, it can also create challenges when personalities clash, communication breaks down, or...
The war for talent isn’t over, it’s changed.
23% of employees actively disengaged at work globally1.5–2× annual salary, typical cost to replace a skilled employee57% of workers say unclear expectations affect their performance Despite global economic uncertainty, the labour market for skilled workers has refused...
New Financial Year,New Rules. Is Your Business Ready?
Every new financial year brings change. But 1 July 2026 is not a routine update, it is a structural shift in how Australian employers are expected to operate. Superannuation, parental leave, workplace safety codes, flexible working rights, and award rates are all...
HR Policy Reviews: Why ‘Set and Forget’ Is Risky
When was the last time you reviewed your HR policies? If your answer is “a while ago” or “when we first created them,” you’re not alone. Many businesses fall into the trap of treating HR policies as a one-and-done task, something to tick off and file away. But in...
AI in Recruitment Is Broken: What HR Leaders Need to Know
Artificial intelligence was supposed to fix recruitment. Faster screening. Better matches. Less bias. More efficiency. Instead, many HR leaders are now facing a different reality: more applications, less clarity, increased risk, and growing regulatory pressure. What...
Employee Appreciation that Improves Retention
Keeping great employees is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today. Recruitment costs are rising, competition for talent is intense, and employees have more options than ever before. Yet many organisations overlook one of the most powerful retention...
Employee Connection isn’t culture, it’s Compliance
When leaders talk about employee connection, it’s often framed as a culture or engagement issue, something nice to have, but not essential. In reality, employee connection is far more than a morale booster. It is a critical compliance issue with real legal, financial,...
Recruitment Planning: Hiring Ahead Instead of in a Panic
Have you ever hired someone “just to get a bum on a seat”?Have you rushed recruitment because the workload was out of control, a team member resigned suddenly, or you were working ridiculous hours trying to cover the gap?And then… a few months later, you’re back at...
January HR Checklist for employers
January is more than just a new calendar year; it’s a critical reset point for employers. While many businesses rush straight back into operations, the smartest organisations take time to review, realign and reset their people practices. Getting HR right at the start...
The urgency of your Psychosocial Risk Management Plan
Workplace health and safety has evolved, and if your business hasn’t updated how it manages psychosocial risks, you could be exposing your people and organisation to serious harm and compliance risk. A Psychosocial Risk Management Plan is no longer “best practice,”...
From the Word of 2025 to a Future-Proof HR Strategy for 2026
As we look ahead to 2026, HR leaders are tasked with turning the hard lessons of 2025 into a strategic advantage. One of the strongest signals from the last year was a single defining term: fatigue. Recognised as Glassdoor’s Word of the Year for 2025, fatigue surged...