Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Unprecedented Change in Workplace Relations

Interested in this discussion? Check out Episode 62 of The HR Cartel Podcast

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s clear this has been no ordinary year for Australian workplace relations. Historic, transformative, and, at times, chaotic, 2024 has left an indelible mark, particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The union movement has achieved a monumental milestone over the previous two (2) years.

Leveraging their relationship with the Labor government, unions saw the passage of more than 27 legislative changes, representing their most progressive achievements in decades.

Yet, even amid such victories, we witnessed the fracturing of the movement.

The CFMEU, once considered an indomitable force, now faces outright turmoil, while internal conflicts splintered the broader union landscape, leading to public dissent and rivalries within the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).

For SMEs, the changes in workplace relations have been nothing short of overwhelming. From wage theft legislation set to take effect in January to increased compliance burdens, employers face a maze of challenges that seem designed for corporate giants, not resource-strapped small businesses.

The numbers tell a grim story: over 26,000 businesses have shut down since the Labor government’s election, with November 2024 marking the highest insolvency rates on record.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Reflecting on these challenges also paves the way for hope. Here’s my top 3 wish list for 2025:

1. Support for SMEs: It’s time for policymakers to recognise the outsized role SMEs play in Australia’s economy and enact reforms that make compliance realistic for smaller businesses.

   
   

2. Regulatory Restraint: With legislation like wage theft penalties looming, we need sensible enforcement that targets wilful wrongdoers, not business owners or directors making honest mistakes, or, simply being jailed for not doing enough to avoid a mistake by others in their businesses.

   
   

3. Empowered Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are the backbone of innovation. Let’s ensure that government policies foster their growth instead of stifling it.

   
   

In this shifting landscape, it’s clear that SMEs need more than just resilience, they need tools and support tailored to their unique challenges.

That’s where the HR Cartel comes in. Launching in January 2025, this online platform is set to revolutionise HR for small and medium businesses. With solutions spanning workplace health and safety, industrial relations, EAPs, and behavioural assessments, The HR Cartel provides the resources SMEs need to thrive in today’s complex workplace environment.

If you’re an SME looking for practical, actionable HR solutions, visit The HR Cartel. Don’t wait, apply to JOIN THE CARTEL and gain early access to tools designed to simplify compliance, enhance employee engagement, and drive sustainable growth.

As we step into 2025, let’s work together to make it a year of progress for Australian SMEs. Here's to a brighter, more supportive future.