A few takeaways from a Herbert, Smith Freehills Kramer podcast that really resonated, particularly given the current people and IR landscape:
Podcast Key Points:
• Due to the ever-changing people landscape, there is an increasing need to better synergise Employment, Safety and Industrial Relations functions.
• Importance of scanning the horizon to understand what’s coming and deliberately allocating time and resources to being ready for it — rather than reacting once issues land.
• Legal responsibilities of Directors and company officers continue to increase, with senior leaders wanting clearer insight into strategy & risk, and how we are tracking.
• Psychosocial responsibilities continue to expand, with State regulators progressively lifting expectations and jurisdictions playing catch-up
• Looking ahead, 2026 will be a significant year. Organisations will be undertaking restructuring driven by AI initiatives, operating model change, and heightened consultation and psychosocial obligations.
• There is a growing need to conduct risk assessments, scenario planning and war- gaming to stay ahead, rather than being caught off guard.
• Enterprise Agreements are becoming increasingly complex, with leaders needing to understand what decisions mean over the next three, five and ten years.
• The ongoing risk of being drawn into multi-enterprise bargaining remains a material consideration for many employers.
This podcast is definitely worth a listen. HSFK also have a number of other strong podcasts, along with content from other IR and legal providers — a great way to stay informed as the landscape continues to evolve.
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