Here are three thoughts from our practice leader, Troy Andres (aside: the idea of three random thoughts is taken from a podcast called 5 thoughts by Thinking Basketball – have a listen if you love all things NBA).
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We can only feel for temporary visa holders who are pretty much in limbo with many being stood down and without a means of supporting themselves.
In brief, the department is encouraging overseas visitors to return home and has implemented some measures to enable temporary work visa holders and (long term) overseas students to access up to $10,000.00 of their superannuation.
For temporary work visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, the holders will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition.
Importantly, should a temporary work visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements.
Additionally, working holiday makers who are working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.
More information can be found here.
2
The old economy is dying.
So so much change!
For us, everyday is a new change, a new challenge, a new perspective.
On every level, microscopic, cellular, physical, metaphysical, psychological, individual and collective. It is all happening. And through the very nature of change, we react.. sometimes we feel like curling into a ball and having someone place a blanket on us, and other times, we climb a mountain and stare into the world of possibility.
Now is the time to immerse yourself in a world of possibility.
What we were before is no longer possible. Whatever we were before this, can no longer exist. The ‘you’ before this, is no more. The change will not allow it. The change is necessary.
That was a snippet of an email that I shared with the team last week as we entered week 3 of the Government mandate to work from home. In such a short period of time, we have witnessed the old ways vanish which have given rise to a new energy to reinvent ourselves and what we do.
So many discussions on collaboration as well as new ideas popping up. Super excited to explore the next chapter in the evolution of business in spite of the sombre mood that can often invade the space!
#sonder #evolve2020 #collaboration #theactivististhesage
Tres
Friendship and working together?
This has been a very challenging year!
Challenging on so many fronts however the most challenging aspect thus far has been managing the peculiar nature of friendship in the workplace.
I always thought that it was perfectly fine for workmates to be friends and in fact I do feel that friendship is an important precursor to developing a team first mentality.
In friendship, we support our friends, we take care of our friends and as I saw no distinction between how I approached my colleagues, I naturally considered them to fall within that category – friendship.
However, I am slowly changing my mind on this point.
Here’s why:
As a business owner, my actions have a direct correlation to the livelihood of a group of individuals. In the current climate, these actions seek to the protect the business and preserve as many jobs as possible whilst simultaneously maximising profit for shareholders (read: reducing ongoing costs and deadwood).
Where a role can be absorbed within other functions, it becomes necessary to look at integrating that role into the existing operational blueprint, which may require staff cuts to ensure that the business’ overarching goals are met.
The notion of friendship within that mix has an interesting effect.
I have always sought to operate from a space of compassion, intelligence and empathy. And in this space, friendship in the workplace seemed like a natural factor and part of me continues to resonate with that belief.
However, in making decisions where the business’ goal is paramount it is virtually impossible to explain that within the context of friendship without making the issue completely personal.
Would love your thoughts on this!?
If you would like to contribute to this thought piece, feel free to reach out to us via email: info@giltonvaleo.com.au.
