HR to Go

In this episode of HR2Go, Karen is joined by Greg Arnold, founder of Effective Workplace Solutions, to unpack some of the most common HR myths that continue to catch employers out. From “you need three warnings before termination” to “salaried staff don’t need timesheets” and “paying above award covers everything,” Karen and Greg explore why these assumptions are often incomplete, outdated or take...

Employee benefits can be a powerful way to attract and retain talent but they often come with costs employers don’t fully consider upfront. In this episode of HR2Go, Karen is joined by Matt Hardy (MRTG Taxes) to unpack the real cost of employee benefits, with a focus on Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the governance required to manage it effectively. From company vehicles and hybrid work arrangement...

Drug and alcohol testing is designed to reduce workplace risk — but is it enough? In this episode of HR2Go, Karen Arnold speaks with Associate Professor David Allen from Drug & Alcohol Solutions Australia about alcohol, drugs and impairment in Australian workplaces. They discuss: • Workplace drug testing and WHS obligations • The rise of medicinal cannabis prescriptions • Impairment vs trace d...

In this special end-of-year roundtable, the EWS team sits down for a rapid-fire look back at the HR moments, surprises and challenges that defined 2025 — and what employers should be ready for in 2026. Karen is joined by Greg Arnold, Peter Norrie and Jane Van Gulick for a candid, insightful wrap-up of the year, including: The HR issues that just wouldn’t quit in 2025 The “oh no, not again” moments...

Episode 23 – Psychosocial Hazards: The Hidden Risks Inside Every Workplace Not all workplace hazards wear high-vis. Some sit quietly in job descriptions, Zoom calls, and Monday morning meetings — until they start to cause real harm. In this episode of HR2GO, Karen Arnold is joined by Michelle from My Virtual Safety Manager to unpack the growing focus on psychosocial hazards in Australian workplace...

What’s the real difference between management and leadership—and why does it matter for your business? In this episode of HR2Go, Karen Arnold unpacks the myths, the habits, and the practical takeaways that separate task-focused management from people-focused leadership. You’ll hear why trust in managers is at an all-time low, the five leadership habits every workplace needs, and how simple shifts—...

Employee onboarding isn’t just a checklist — it’s the foundation for culture, compliance, and long-term success. In this episode of HR2Go, Karen Arnold is joined by Sarah Stone, Capability Strategist and Co-Founder of Linkable, to unpack the real cost of poor onboarding, the risks of relying on “tribal knowledge,” and what great onboarding looks like in 2025. From compliance safeguards to building...

When you’re a small team doing big things, HR can feel like the last thing on the list. In this episode of HR2Go, Karen chats with Tash from Aussie Helpers , a grassroots charity supporting farmers across Australia. Like many purpose-driven organisations, Aussie Helpers was growing fast — but their people processes hadn’t kept up. Tash shares how the fear of “corporate HR” gave way to something mu...

What’s driving your staff turnover — and what can you do about it? In this episode of HR2Go, Karen Arnold sits down with Stephen Woods, Director of Employee Wellness Australia, to unpack the big themes from the Beyond Compliance event. From leadership blind spots to workplace wellbeing, they explore why ticking the compliance boxes isn’t enough — and how culture, communication, and capability are...

Worried about payroll compliance? You should be. In this episode of HR2Go, host Karen Arnold is joined by Senior Consultant Peter Norrie to unpack how even minor payroll mistakes can lead to massive financial penalties — and even criminal charges — under Australia’s updated wage theft laws from January 2025. We explore: What a payroll audit really involves Why 99% of audits uncover compliance issu...

Compliance or Chaos?  Keeping Your Workplace in Check in 2025.

Happy New Year... Or is it? In our latest HR to Go podcast episode, Holiday Hangover: Revitalise Your Team for the New Year, we discuss how to re-energise your employees after the festive break and keep morale high. Discover practical strategies to help your team re-engage, refocus, and start the year on a positive note. Crucial start-of-year listening for all business owners and managers.

Karen Arnold from Effective Workplace Solutions chats about workplace Christmas parties. Listen to find out everything you need to navigate from a human resources point of view. Download the free EWS Christmas Party Checklist from our site: https://www.ewsolutions.com.au/product-page/ews-christmas-party-checklist

Karen Arnold shares the small details in workplace policies that can significantly affect your organisation’s culture, efficiency, and ability to manage your employees.

The wellbeing of your employees can make or break your business. We share our top tips for enhancing and maintaining workplace wellbeing, from affordable and easy tactics to simple strategies.

Remember the podcast episode where we discussed the new ‘Closing the loophole’ legislation (episode nine)? We’ve just recorded a sequel to highlight the new changes that are effective from August 2024. Listen now to find out how your business may be impacted.

In this episode of HR to Go, Effective Workplace Solutions Founder Greg Arnold dives deep into the evolving landscape of casual employment, focusing on the new laws set to take effect in August 2024. Our discussion covers: casual entitlements under Awards and legislation the definition of casual employment and the new definition of casual employment under the Closing Loopholes Bill casual conversi...

Discover the key strategies for navigating redundancies with confidence in this exclusive podcast episode hosted by Effective Workplace Solutions. As a leading HR and employment law expert consultant in Australia, we understand the complexities of managing workforce changes. Listen now to gain valuable insights into the legal aspects, best practices, and effective communication strategies during t...

In December 2023, the Government passed a raft of changes to industrial relations and employment law in Australia. Some of these changes are significant and will impact some industry sectors more than others. Effective Workplace Solutions Founder and Senior Consultant Greg Arnold reveals what the changes are and how they may impact your business.

In this episode of HR to Go, Karen Arnold and Peter Norrie dispel the most common HR myths in Australia.

Some would argue it’s okay for employers to use technology to monitor the productivity levels of their employees, but where is the line drawn in relation to privacy? Karen Arnold explains what is and isn’t okay with employee spying, and what steps you need to have in place legally.

At some point, all businesses need to engage a consultant—whether it’s for strategic business planning, engineering, HR, financial or marketing. Before searching for the right consultant for your needs, it’s important to know what questions you should ask. Discover how to sift through the ‘sales’ pitches to find the real experts in our latest podcast episode of HR to Go.

Peter Norrie and Karen Arnold discuss how a regular payroll review can save businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars and even avoid jail sentences for wage theft. 

EWS Managing Director Karen Arnold shares her top tips for successfully managing remote workers. 

Effective Workplace Solutions Director Greg Arnold highlights the most commonly asked questions he receives from clients in relation to employment law and HR matters, and provides insightful responses.