By: Leigh Olsen, Director, Tradie HR, October 2019        http://tradiehr.co.nz   Remember the days when decisions were made with just a handshake and there wasn’t the need for contracts, agreements, written guarantees and employment policies?  Those days are...

By: Leigh Olsen, Director, Tradie HR, August 2019    How many of you know of people who have been “written off’” by their employers after handing in their notice?  Ever heard the expression “they are dead to me now?” Maybe this has happened to you.  I remember...

Tradie HR director Leigh Olsen explains what makes an “Employer of Choice” Recently a number of clients have been asking me what they can do to be considered an “Employer of Choice” in their industry. They want to be thought of as a “good employer” looking after their...

Many employers in our industry are regularly losing sleep. Why? There’s one common problem for all of us – we are often faced with trying to find ways to keep our staff – again and again. It’s frustrating, it’s tiresome, it’s a burden. The days of people staying at...

How many times have you heard “it is what it is”, and wondered what that actually means? “You’ll have to pick up Dave’s work as he’s rung in sick again — it is what it is, sorry”. “Those suppliers are always late with their delivery — it is what it is”. “Oh don’t...

Have you ever had a manager say to you… “It’s ok - feel free to share anything with me” or “I look forward to your comments” or my personal favourite “this is a safe environment”? Too often I have heard or witnessed situations where managers say they want openness and...