Main Conference Agenda

Organisations are facing increased resignations in this competitive job market with skill shortages and changing employee expectations. In this session, hear how Australia’s leading companies are engaging and retaining their high-performing employees. 

• Realigning company values with workplace culture
• Strategies to create an engaging employee experience in a hybrid environment
• Building a strong employee value proposition (EVP)
• Successful career development and progression opportunities

The changing conditions of hybrid work arrangements to attracting and retaining talent have been challenging, but many HR leaders have remained resilient, going above and beyond to support the business. In this session, Peitta will share what it means to be a HR leader today and how the past few years have shaped HR’s role as a strategic business partner. 

• Key lessons on leadership in times of uncertainty
• Skill development including soft skills and workforce planning to adapt and thrive in today’s environment
• Practicing self-care and avoiding burnout

Now more than ever before, diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) are important pillars to drive innovation and growth in a business, but how exactly do we achieve this transformation in the workplace, especially in a hybrid setting? Hear how Xero has embraced DEI across the organisation and developed strategies that go beyond the checklists.  

• Developing company workplaces, products, and services to be more accessible and inclusive
• Embedding flexible work options across the business
• Examples of successful hybrid activities to drive engagement in the company
• Creating a team of DEI champions to support the transformation

Since the pandemic, the way organisations manage their people has changed. The rise of hybrid working has forced leaders to adopt new approaches to track and enhance performance – not forgetting how COVID-19 has impacted employee needs, engagement and productivity. The employee experience (EX) has changed, but have HR’s internal processes kept pace? This presentation will reveal: 

• How COVID-19 has impacted performance management
• Why measuring contribution is more important than performance 
• The importance of offering personal goals, as well as professional goals 
• The advantages of moving to project-based performance review 
• How implementing total rewards can humanise review processes

While technology has made us more digitally connected than ever before, employees are feeling increasingly disconnected from their roles, teams, companies. In this session, Helen will share how HR leaders can lead with purpose and create meaningful connections between employees and the company

The findings from the Respect@Work report has increased the need for clarity and urgency to address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This session will examine the latest legal updates in workplace sexual harassment including case law and upcoming changes.

• Understanding the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (SDA) – definition of sexual harassment, prohibited areas of public life such as employment, vicarious liability and remedies
• Key statistics of workplace sexual harassment in Australia
• Jurisdiction options for harassment claim – state or Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and practice and procedure
• Recent case developments - Ranemeet Kaur [2022] FWC 487; Oliver v Bassari (Human Rights) [2022] VCAT 329
• Proposed changes to Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) arising from Respect@Work Report

Mental and physical wellbeing continues to be a top priority after prolonged periods of remote work and constant uncertainty but what does wellbeing look like in a high-pressure work environment? In this session, hear how the Department of Transport has have supported their employees to prioritise their wellbeing at work and to achieve work-life balance.

• Navigating employee anxiety, stress, and burnout
• How to drive the conversation on mental health across all levels of the organisation
• Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives on a budget
• Developing empathy and communication skills in middle managers
• Understanding what truly matters for employees to bring their best selves to work

Employee expectations are changing with many seeking flexibility, inclusivity and work-life balance in addition to a competitive remuneration package. With talent shortage on the rise, how are organisations changing their talent attraction strategy to remain competitive? In this session, hear how Australia’s top companies have leveraged their employee experience to attract talent.

• Creating flexible and inclusive working models
• Developing comprehensive benefits for a diverse workforce
• Communicating a clear company purpose and its values
• Overcoming challenges in attracting international talent