Time to dig deeper?
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Sooner or later most employers hit it: a good employee has used all their sick leave and is still unwell or injured, or a pattern of absence is starting to affect the team. It feels awkward, and… Read more ›
The storyA common situation we see: a capable manager, and an employee whose performance had quietly slipped.The manager did the right first thing and booked a conversation to set clearer… Read more ›
The pressure you feel in September is real, and it is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It is the point in the year where the plans you made in January meet the time you have left to… Read more ›
The StoryA capable business owner of what we’ll call a mid-sized services firm did something many talk about, and few follow through on. They invested properly in developing their managers: a… Read more ›
No matter the size of your team, an overarching plan for growing capability is a must. Not a manual. A one-page plan you actually use. Here’s how to build one in an afternoon and keep it alive… Read more ›
Create a clear path forward for your team’s development. This practical template helps you identify capability gaps, focus on the priorities that matter most and align your people’s development…
Most small and medium businesses assume they can’t develop their people the way a corporate can. No academy, no learning budget, no L&D team. But size is not the disadvantage it looks like…. Read more ›
And the moment the manager realised they’re managing the wrong problemThis is a real-world story that reflects a challenge we regularly help employers navigate, often when things have… Read more ›
A 2026 leadership trend: Choose your standard before someone else does2026 has already arrived with plenty of public examples of influential leaders making decisions (and showing behaviours)… Read more ›
From 12 June 2025, new protections came into effect giving employees the right to discuss their pay without fear of penalty or reprisal. Employers can no longer include “pay secrecy” or “pay… Read more ›
It’s a classic workplace challenge: one person loves spreadsheets and structure, while the other thrives on big-picture thinking and moving fast. When one’s flying high at 30,000 feet and the… Read more ›
Let’s face it — not every working relationship goes to plan.Sometimes, despite best intentions, tension builds, trust wears thin, and communication breaks down. You might notice someone… Read more ›
Let’s be honest—performance reviews have a bit of a branding problem. Too often they’re viewed as a dreaded annual event, heavy with formality and light on actual impact. But when done… Read more ›
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action for a Fairer WorkplaceThis International Women’s Day, the theme is “Accelerate Action”—a call to move beyond discussions and… Read more ›
In 2026, I will have been self-employed for a decade—a looming milestone that feels both significant and surreal. The next 18 months will be a time of evolution, where I take stock of the journey… Read more ›
Hybrid working—where employees split their time between home and the office—has become the default for many companies. At Stapleton Consulting, we know that successful hybrid models go beyond… Read more ›
Change is Here, Are Your People Ready? The workplace has always been a dynamic space, but now more than ever, change is constant, rapid, and relentless. From the rise of AI and automation… Read more ›
2025 is shaping up to be another transformative year for businesses. As organisations continue to adapt to rapid change, five key HR priorities are emerging that will demand leaders’… Read more ›
As I think back on 2024, I often find myself saying, “It’s been a year.” with expressions like 🫠😬😮💨🤗🥹😀 That are then quickly followed by words like grind, change, fun,… Read more ›
If your team feels out of sync heading into 2025 and you’re unsure when to seek help, here’s a quick guide for contacting your trusted HR partner. It’s very easy to get lost in the… Read more ›
Your leave report is the cheapest early warning system your business owns.Most owners open it once a year, wince at the number that will be on the balance sheet, and close it again. Here is how… Read more ›
In today’s competitive environment, aligning an individual team member’s goals with your company’s strategy is crucial for thriving and success. Robust capability development planning is… Read more ›
While doing some learning and development research this week, I came across the following quote that struck a chord. “Relationships are the fuel for human development; they foster… Read more ›
As a senior HR specialist with over 20 years of experience, Catherine leads our executive and governance recruitment services. Recruitment at this level takes a strategic and collaborative… Read more ›
Navigating the employment journey as an employer and leader is a tough ride, filled with learnings, successes and let-downs. No matter the size and scale, we all have our work… Read more ›
For growing businesses, the words – recession, restructure, and redundancy can give business leaders anxious chills, closely followed by groans. However, they shouldn’t be words we avoid, and… Read more ›
As we were gearing up for our summer holidays last year, a significant legislative HR change quietly made its way into the employment landscape. As of 23 December 2023, trial periods have once… Read more ›
Like so many other small business owners, when I set out to establish Stapleton Consulting (now Better HR Co.), I had no idea what I was getting into. Owning a business, leading a team and… Read more ›
On 13 June 2023 the Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Act 2023 (the Act) received Royal Assent and came into force.What does this… Read more ›
Compulsory Employer Contributions – do you pay on top of salary or wages, or do you include it in your pay rates?For those that include the employer KiwiSaver contributions in the wages… Read more ›
To ensure we remain aware of changes in our profession, particularly case law, we receive updates from a range of content providers. When an article or update sticks out and provokes interest, we… Read more ›
In June, I spoke about preserving mana and dignity, alongside the Harkness Henry employment team. The topic was navigating restructure, redeployment, and redundancy. For those who were unable… Read more ›
My time away from the office in January was a well-timed escape from the grind of the weekly work and home routine. Travelling to places like Auckland, Nelson, Hawkes Bay, Christchurch, and… Read more ›
For many employers and employees alike, finding good candidates and great jobs that will last can be like being a single 30 something trying to find a partner on tinder or bumble. There is… Read more ›
It is amazing how a story shared can change perspective and thinking processes. The impact can be even greater when there is an emotional connection and warmth behind that story. A story for story… Read more ›
And the ideal solutions to your business problemsVaccination policies will need a once over and consideration as to whether they are required, and more importantly checking if they are in fact… Read more ›
My email inbox is so much lighter, and the to-do list is easier to manage. Who would say that after a week of sick leave thanks to covid? I can because I indeed… Read more ›
Here is your guide to navigating the leave and subsidiesIt seems Omi has been getting all too friendly with the general population lately. Clients are reporting many falling ill in the past…
Right now, in this moment as I type, the to do list looks endless and I have several messages from clients with questions, and other calls to make. Life admin needs drastic… Read more ›
11 months to go. What’s the plan?Yep. We now have 11 months of 2022 to go and you are back to the realities of work and far from your beachside deck chair. Holiday blues anyone? I… Read more ›
As I reflect on the year that has been, it seems again we have a year of 2 parts: before August and after August. Or otherwise known as before Delta, and after. Lockdowns have frustrated many since… Read more ›
Well we finally got more information about this traffic light system and how we need to operate from Friday. The piece that we are now missing is what level we start at from Friday.Check out the… Read more ›
Covid government policy changes keep people like HR and H&S Consultants need.We know that negotiating your way through HR issues can feel overwhelming and full of anxiety.If, after the…
What is getting you through the day?It’s after 1pm and I am busy typing away at this blog post. The team’s chat is pinging away. The lockdown update has happened, and my team are sharing… Read more ›
I have my moments where I am caught pondering various topics and thoughts staring out the window. I have just finished listening to Jim Collins – Good to Great. So many great concepts and… Read more ›
Like me, I am sure you were stoked and relieved to know that kids are back at daycare today and school tomorrow. Parents in Level 2 regions can now focus without those tiny terrorists… Read more ›
With most of the country entering level 3 on Wednesday, but many still unable to return to work or working reduced hours from home, we thought now was a good time to test your knowledge on annual…
It has happened.It will be effective this Saturday, 24 July 2021.Sick leave entitlements have increased.Sick leave entitlements will increase to 10 days per annum for all employees at their… Read more ›
So, I really shouldn’t be saying this, but every time I hear or see the words ‘Fair Pay Agreements’ I groan and cringe. This is mainly because I worked in Australia when Julia Gillard… Read more ›
Do you like you are the only one feeling overloaded by all the employment changes? I’m here to give you comfort in knowing that you are not. Many clients our team are working with are feeling… Read more ›
Are these heavy feelings getting you down? It’s winter and I have that sinking feeling. The dreary rainy days are pulling me down. Come back all-day sunshine. Lockdown was a year… Read more ›
How ‘Lucozade cheaper than Powerade’ stood out from the crowd and got us thinking. Yep that was the name used on a job application we received through Facebook recently. It made us sit up in our… Read more ›
If you were this employer what would you choose – A or B or C?Your current inventory system is causing more headaches and the reports it spits out require hours of manipulation to get the…
I am excited to be launching my first ever online learning course – The Change Game.For those who may have a restructure looming on the horizon this course is designed so we can guide you…
When to make a change and how quickly to move The January blog about cadence generated quite the response. My thoughts seems to have given many…
and it is not because I am a mum…I wear many hats and I am often asked ‘how do you do it?”! What’s the secret to balancing it all? Where do…
I love avocadoes. They are great on toast with tomatoes and ground pepper, or whizzed up in a chocolate mousse. But did I ever think they would be used to describe the new type of leadership? Um… Read more ›
There has been a series of videos and updates released about the changes. This is great because if you are like me, I prefer videos and podcasts to make the most of my travel time.Below we have… Read more ›
Pay equity is about women and men receiving the same pay for doing jobs that are different, but of equal value (that is, jobs that require similar degrees of skills, responsibility, and… Read more ›
When you recruit and employ a new person for your team, you are changing the way your team will work together and the culture. If this new person is coming in to fill a vacancy, this signals that… Read more ›
My morning drive includes 2 stops before work. Daycare and school. There are several parts of my drive that I cringe and prompt anxiety to well up.There’s the place on a long stretch where I… Read more ›
I love people watching. I catch myself staring and watching others wondering what conversations are about when waiting in a queue. With friends in my younger days we would make up stories… Read more ›
At rock bottom, experiencing a dark moment and not sure how you got there? Day 2️⃣ of mental health awareness week started with me listening to some moving stories from ladies who had hit rock…
Ever felt like the walls were closing in on you? Or are you anxious and feel like you can’t breath? ???????????????????? How we breathe sets the tone for how we feel and think. That’s the…
One the weekend I received a well timed invite to a BBQ. I was solo parenting that weekend and a chance to relax with like-minds while the kids played sounded perfect. When I was leaving the… Read more ›
When leading a business you have to adapt and roll with whatever comes your way. Sometimes you can anticipate and have a plan. Other times you may not. But one thing is for sure tomorrow is always… Read more ›
When leading a business you have to adapt and roll with whatever comes your way. Sometimes you can anticipate and have a plan. Other times you may not. But one thing is for sure tomorrow is always… Read more ›
Sometimes running a business can feel like your own Indiana Jones movie, full of unexpected ‘adventures’, pots of gold and dangerous pirates lurking around every corner!We know that negotiating…
There are no simple answers when it comes to designing flexible workplaces or deciding how and when people work. Do you know why? Everyone is different and so are our businesses. Heard of the… Read more ›
Recently while driving I heard an advert and I cringed because there are many other words I would rather use than “Covid”. I’ve said it a few times and I won’t be saying it again.I now cringe… Read more ›
It’s frustrating figuring out what to do with your recruitment strategy when there is so much uncertainty about the next 6-12 months. Have you considered engaging a contractor instead of an…
Yesterday I checked into a cafe. It was my first time, I was going to stay. The sun was out and I was going to bask in it with a coffee while I wrote my blog. No takeaway coffee.The process of… Read more ›
This month’s blog hasn’t been an easy one to write. I find my writing and creativity is shocking when I have been stuck in the detail of something. But I am committed to doing a… Read more ›
Every one has a different tolerance for risk and are likely to apply the rules more strictly than others. Keep this and the H&S culture you want in mind, when developing your Covid plan, how…
Check out Catherine’s latest video where she gives you an update on the latest government announcement and things to consider for your business in these COVID-19 times. For those with HR and…
I’m trying to stay positive and be adaptable and flexible in such trying times while working from home in my new temporary office space, but it can be pretty difficult. If we think about where we…
Check out our latest video below for details of the government’s stimulus package announcement from Tuesday. Feedback is that businesses and sole traders applying, are receiving speedy application…
Catherine has made a short video to share some suggestions for things to look out for within your organisation this year regarding the minimum pay increases that happen on the 1st April 2020. With…
Alert level 3 to Alert level 4 – It’s real people. If your people can work from home. Great. If they can’t, well they are on the subsidy and using annual leave to top up wages. The… Read more ›
Check out our latest video below for details of the government’s stimulus package announcement from Tuesday. Feedback is that businesses and sole traders applying, are receiving speedy application…
To give you an idea of what has been happening to employee pay in the previous 15 years, download a table of the changes to the minimum wage and average ordinary time earnings. These figures were…
On 18 December 2019, the Government gave 250,000 (that’s a quarter of a million) workers notice that they would be getting a pay rise on 1 April 2020. If you are a SME employer, you may have… Read more ›
As you’re getting your head back into work mode this year, it’s time to contemplate on areas in your business you would like to develop further over the next 12 months.What areas would like… Read more ›
Tis the Silly Season where silly things can happen and do happen!Summer holidays are so close but we still have two weeks to go … unless you are secondary school teachers ?This is the… Read more ›
It has been a while since the last blog post.Suffice to say we are quite happy to see the back of September and to a lesser extent October. These months saw us fire-fighting in our… Read more ›
August – the final month of winter – and hasn’t it made sure we felt it? Rainy, grey, and unrelenting. But hey, if Game of Thrones taught us anything, it’s that “winter is coming” isn’t just… Read more ›
I talk a lot about reflection and review. That’s because it is hard to know where to go if you don’t know where you have been or what you have learnt along the way. I push for… Read more ›
On Monday 6 May, the legislation changed so that only businesses with less than 20 employees could utilise trial periods. It doesn’t matter if you employ casuals, permanent or temps. If… Read more ›
As I write this on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, I look out my office window only to see grey clouds and leaves furiously flying around.It’s easy to feel down and overburdened by whatever hard… Read more ›
Many took advantage of the Easter and Anzac public holidays to take a break and get some distance from work. Threes weeks later and all of this may seem like a distant memory now. … Read more ›
Upon hearing that employees are now entitled to receive paid domestic violence leave was your first response “Why?”.It was? Then hold on a wee sec as I’m going to tell you why you… Read more ›
minimum wage increase: What does it mean and how to plan for itAs at 1 April 2019, the minimum wage increases to $17.70 per hour. That equates to $708 for a 40-hour week.This is the… Read more ›
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely young lady, who I will call, Jane. Jane had applied for a full-time permanent role but was offered and signed a casual… Read more ›
The weeks leading into Christmas can be difficult and strainedDeadlines are a plenty, but time and patience are few. We currently have clients distracted with petty issues taking centre… Read more ›
We all know – it is hard to find good people. It is also just as hard to keep them. The employment market is tight. People with good technical and people skills are a hot… Read more ›
Sooner or later most employers hit it: a good employee has used all their sick leave and is still unwell or injured, or a pattern of absence is starting to affect the team. It feels awkward, and… Read more ›
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With most of the country entering level 3 on Wednesday, but many still unable to return to work or working reduced hours from home, we thought now was a good time to test your knowledge on annual…
