The Save Group

Changes to the SCHADS Award will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 June 2026, particularly impacting businesses using sleepover shifts.

The updates clarify how:
• Ordinary hours
• Rest breaks
• Overtime
• Shift penalties and allowances

Employers should now review:
• Rosters involving sleepovers
• Shift lengths
• Employee agreements
• Payroll and rostering processes

In the care sector, award compliance is becoming increasingly complex. Clear systems and properly trained managers are essential.

Need confidence in your SCHADS compliance?

Our team can assist with Modern Award Audits and practical compliance guidance.

🚩 Ever notice the same few people speaking in every meeting while everyone else stays quiet? 🚩

Silence in meetings doesn’t always mean agreement. Sometimes, it signals deeper workplace issues.

Here are 4 common reasons employees don’t speak up:
▪ Fear of judgment
▪ Lack of psychological safety
▪ Feeling their opinions won’t matter
▪ Previous negative experiences

When employees feel safe to contribute, businesses gain better ideas, stronger collaboration, and fewer hidden problems.

The question is: are your meetings encouraging conversation or discouraging it?

We’re proud sponsors of the B.I.T.E Conference 2026, and we’ll also be exhibiting on the day!

If you’re a business owner on the Mornington Peninsula, this is your conference for all things Business, Innovation, Technology and Efficiency.

What to expect:
- Hear from industry speakers
- Learn tools you can implement immediately
- Network with fellow business owners (minus the awkwardness)

🗓 Wednesday, 5 August
📍Mornington Racecourse
🎟 Tickets: biteconference.com.au

Come say hello to The Save Group at our stand and we’ll be there all day with practical HR advice (and a few surprises too).

Learn more and book your tickets at biteconference.com.au

From the first full pay period on or after 1 April 2026, important changes apply under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020.

The updates impact Dental Assistants and Pathology Collectors, including:
• Minimum pay rates and classifications
• Weekend and overtime penalties
• Shift work definitions
• Payroll and rostering requirements

For employers, now is the time to review classifications, systems, and pay processes before the changes take effect.

Award interpretation mistakes can lead to costly underpayments and compliance risks, especially in busy healthcare environments.

We can assist with a Modern Award Audit and Pay Rate Review to help ensure your business stays compliant.

We're excited to announce we are a free session for the 2026 Small Business Festival.

HR compliance can feel overwhelming for small businesses, especially with workplace laws constantly changing. Which is why we have partnered with the Mornington Peninsula Shire to provide a in-depth 3 hour session for small business owners.

Join us for a practical morning session designed to help business owners better understand:
• Fair Work obligations
• Common HR risks
• Workplace compliance essentials
• Practical systems and processes for SMEs

This session is designed to simplify HR compliance and give business owners practical, real-world guidance they can actually apply in their business.

Event Details:
Friday 28 August
9:30am – 12:30pm
Smart Business Solutions, Mornington

Tickets are free, however places are limited and bookings are essential.

Reserve your spot early at mpbusiness.com.au/event/hr-made-simple/ today!

Employees have the right to raise concerns in the workplace BUT that doesn’t mean all behaviour is acceptable.

A recent Fair Work case confirmed that a dismissal was not unfair where the issue was the employee’s conduct surrounding the complaints, not the complaints themselves.

The Commission considered factors including:
• Repeated unsubstantiated allegations
• Disrespectful communication
• Ignoring final outcomes
• Escalating matters inappropriately

Importantly, the employer followed a fair and documented process, including warnings and opportunities to respond.

The takeaway for SMEs?
You can still enforce reasonable standards of behaviour while allowing employees to raise concerns appropriately.

Strong documentation and fair process remain your best protection.

We can assist with compliant employee management and exits to help reduce Fair Work risks.

Many SME owners don’t realise there are HR or compliance gaps until a problem becomes expensive, stressful, or difficult to manage.

From outdated contracts to unclear policies and high turnover, small red flags can quickly become bigger business risks when left unchecked.

The good news?
You don’t need to tackle everything alone.

At The Save Group, we help businesses create practical HR systems that support both compliance and people without overcomplicating things.

Which red flag do you see most often in businesses today?

A major Fair Work decision is set to change how junior employees are paid under the:
• Fast Food Industry Award
• General Retail Industry Award
• Pharmacy Industry Award

Under the new changes, employees aged 18–20 who perform the same work as adults may become entitled to 100% of the adult award rate once they reach 6 months’ service.

While implementation begins from 1 December 2026, businesses should start reviewing:
• Payroll systems
• Workforce planning
• Budgets
• Award compliance

For SMEs, small payroll errors can quickly become expensive.

If you need support reviewing your payroll compliance and award obligations ahead of these changes, our HR consultants can help!

When people issues arise, having the right support makes all the difference.

We work alongside business owners to provide clear, practical HR advice, especially during challenging or sensitive situations. No confusion, no inflated costs, just reliable guidance when you need it most.

Thank you, Foong-Yue, for trusting us to support you and your team.

If HR is starting to feel overwhelming, it might be time to hand it over to someone who can manage it effectively.

Book a free discovery call today and see how we can support your business:
https://thesavegroup.com.au/contact-us/

Five generations in the workplace, but the fundamentals haven’t changed as much as you might think.

Our white paper shows that while preferences may vary, employees across all generations consistently value:
• Clear communication
• Structured and efficient systems
• Well-managed workplaces

At the same time, common challenges continue to impact businesses, particularly around pay expectations and attracting quality talent.

The takeaway?
It’s less about managing “generations” and more about getting the basics right.

Businesses that focus on strong processes, accountability, and communication see better engagement, stronger performance, and more consistent outcomes across their workforce.

If this resonates, it’s worth reviewing how your business is currently operating.

Read the full white paper here:https://thesavegroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2023-Different-Generations-Same-Expectations.pdf