WhyWork Podcast

WhyWork Podcast

by Alan Girle, Trajce Cvetkovski, & Sara Pazell

Management Social Sciences

Season 7

S07 E03: Passionate or polemic?

Season 07 Episode 03: Passionate or polemic? Alan and Trajce poke the bear of workplace diplomacy with examples from politics. Alan share a story of a city mayor who referred to a new councillor as a ‘ranga.’ “What’s a ‘ranga’?” asks Trajce. Listen to this episode to find out! Trajce shares more stories about politicians and their apologies to cover their gaffes. In turn, Sara challenges the boys to think about middle-ground and high-ground fatigue, when being politically correct is simply bland. “Passionate or polemic?” Trajce teases, after remarking on the power of words. “Words break your heart,” Alan shares, “we need legislation to mend the heartbreak.” “It’s an affair of the heart,” laments Trajce, “before shooting your mouth off it’s like the saying, ‘Rethink your second drink, mate.’” Sara and Alan debate the particulars of a workplace initiation prank on an apprentice whose superior allegedly made him ride in a utility vehicle toolbox, if media reports were correct!

S07 E02: Workplace incentives to combat the return-to-office ball-&-chain

Season 07 Episode 02: Workplace incentives to combat the return-to-office ball-&-chain The WhyWork crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, revel in entertaining stories about novel workplace incentives to motivate staff to return to the office. Thanks to Dr Agustin Chevez for sharing the story about cosmetic Botox booths as a workplace return-to-the-office incentive. Alan cautions, “Take care not to make your workplace incentive look like a contractual agreement.” Sara shares her angst about the common phenomenon of workplace mediocrity versus innovation. “If you’re free from workplace innovation fatigue,” says Trajce, “call Sara.” She discusses more on Dr. Chevez’s work, a workplace provocateur, who has written signposts reflecting his research on workplace innovation, including the crucial need for solo, reflective time. Additionally, the team distinguish between falling into the path of joy through psychological design versus psychosocial work strategies that make the mechanics of work joyous: aesthetics versus machinery in work design. This episode mentions Dart Lindsley and his views on workplace change like the ocean waves that lap the shorelines of the industrial landscape, making incremental progress. Also, the team discuss change models like that instituted by a New South Wales Catholic school principal, Greg Miller, who has transitioned his school to a four-day week.

S07 E01: Two Years of WhyWork: Celebrations, Travel, Trivialising Workplace Safety, and Design

Season 07 Episode 1: Two Years of WhyWork: Celebrations, Travel, Trivialising Workplace Safety, and Design Celebrations - The team, Alan, Trajce, and Sara reflect on their two years of podcast recordings together. “Has it been two years?” Alan and Sara marvel as Trajce announces their two-year anniversary. Trajce delivers a delicious view on his recent travels to Montmartre, France, and his experience with the art of Burlesque theatre. He advocates for holiday travel to his recent destination of Slovenia, “It has a Tassie vibe,” he makes as a comparison much to Alan’s surprise, “Or maybe it’s a Slavic Tasman,” Sara chimes in. Sara commends Trajce on the book that he gifted her, Reality Television and the Art of Trivialising Work Health, Safety, and Wellbeing. She flips some pages to discover stories about contestants and their families sharing tales about the bullying on the television shows. It’s a polemic exploration, explains Trajce “Sounds polarising!” replies Sara as Alan searchers for an online dictionary to define the term ‘polemic.’ “Who says you can’t keep the passion in occupational health and safety?” Trajce cajoles, “Let’s keep the party going.” Sara excitedly explains her view on design advisory councils with specialised panellists. These panel teams help navigate solutions to business challenges associated with technology, workspaces, sustainable social systems and person-centred experiences, or defensible safety and assurance systems.

S07 Bonus 05: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints - Part 3

Season 07 Bonus 05: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints - Part 3 Listen to this Part 3, final in a series of 3 Parts, of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) 2024 Annual Conference, Brisbane, Queensland special-episode interactive workshop on work design and case law. This episode encourages workshop delegates to examine a case of a jeweller, his magnanimous gift giving to a sales representative, and their mutual workplace experiences. This Part 3 episode provides the platform for delegates of the HFESA 2024 Annual Conference WhyWork Podcast to debate the industrial relations and work health & safety case: Taylor v August and Pemberton Pty Ltd - [2023] FCA 1313). If you missed the prelude, listen to Part 1 first for context, and Part 2 for more content. The delegates debate ideas on "Just say, 'NO!'", and softening boundaries in workplace relations. "Clumsy, not nefarious...?" probes Sara, "Indeed, not intentional sexual harassment." advises a delegate. The delegates explore the carry-over of industrial relations with occupational psychosocial hazard exposures in the workplace health & safety workplace framework. Congratulations to all participating delegates - love your work!

S07 Bonus 04: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints" - Part 2

Season 07 Bonus 02: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints - Part 2 Listen to this Part 2 of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) 2024 Annual Conference, Brisbane, Queensland special-episode interactive workshop on work design and case law. This episode encourages workshop delegates to examine a case of a jeweller, his magnanimous gift giving to a sales representative, and their mutual workplace experiences. The episode discusses workplace relations, fairness, gift-giving, psychosocial hazards, and organisational management. Listen in as the delegates apply design tools, like personas, empathy mapping, journey mapping, focussed recall, and interactive role play. The delegates use these methods while dissecting this real-world case law that might ring true and sound close to home for you and your work experiences! If you missed it, listen to Part 1 first for context. (Refer also to: Taylor v August and Pemberton Pty Ltd - [2023] FCA 1313). Thank you to Andrew Merlot, Senior Human Factors Consultant, for your queries on high-value, high-impact, low cost, accessible solutions to workplace dymanics and organisational management. These ideas are necessary for small businesses when managing workplace relationships while setting boundaries on the fair distribution and management of workplace reward & recognition strategies. Congratulations to all participating delegates - great work!

S07 Bonus 03: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints - Part 1."

Season 07 Bonus 03: Mock Podcast: "Diamonds were her best friend... until carats became complaints" - Part 1. This episode was presented during the Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) 2024 Annual Conference, Brisbane, Queensland. The episode outlines the details of workplace affairs when too much bling and not enough boundaries become fodder for a workplace complaint. The dissection of the case of workplace relations between a jeweller and a store shop worker that eroded and resulted in a landmark payout under the Australian Sex Discrimination Act (Refer Taylor v August and Pemberton Pty Ltd - [2023] FCA 1313). "Love makes us do stupid things," says Alan. Sara chimes in with her question, "unrequited love, perhaps?" Trajce outlines the session, including legal dissection, debate, podcaster-for-a-day role play, and work design strategy using service design tools for the analytics. Download and listen in to this episode to learn about the jeweller's gift of jewels exchanged for the gift of a lawsuit! The crowd gets involved and one delegate asked, "Is he still single??!" They were willing to look beyond the alleged 'pat on the bottom' overtures in exchange for the bling!

S07 Trailer 06: Special Release Episode Part 3: Shiny things or shadowy motives?

Season 07 Trailer 06: Special Release Episode Part 3: Shiny things or shadowy motives? Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) Annual Conference 2024 workshop - Special Release Episode Part 3: Shiny things or shadowy motives? On the road and on tour: Listeners become podcasters for a day - Serious learning done playfully.

S07 Trailer 05: Special Release Episode Part 2: Shiny things or shadowy motives?

Season 07 Trailer 05: Special Release Episode Part 2: Shiny things or shadowy motives? Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) Annual Conference 2024 workshop - Special Release Episode Part 2: Shiny things or shadowy motives? This could be a part of your workplace, listen in, and enjoy. If you attended the workshop, you might hear yourself on air - part of the story.

S07 Trailer 04: Special Release Episode Part 1: Shiny things or shadowy motives?

Season 07 Trailer 04: Human Factors and Ergonomics Association of Australia (HFESA) Annual Conference 2024 workshop - Special Release Episode Part 1: Shiny things or shadowy motives? The dimininishing sparkle of blurred lines, crossed boundaries, gift giving, and unclear relationships forming in the workplace.

S07 Bonus 02: WhyM'scal Mash - Beyond the Desk: Uncovering the Wild Realities of Psychosocial Work Exposures

In this special WhyM’scal Mash re-mix episode with Alan, Trajce, and Sara, we dive into the unpredictable world of psychosocial exposures at work, blending excerpts from jaw-dropping, thought-provoking stories from past episodes. From the festive chaos of a Christmas party gone awry (S01 E01: Bubbles of Trouble) to a tourism industry tale featuring unexpected and unwelcome behaviour in shared accommodations (hint: it was more than a piss up, [S02 E07: 4 Men and Women 2]), this mash-up explores the complex and sometimes bizarre challenges that arise when work intersects with human behaviour. It doesn’t stop there. We tackle the broader idea of “work from anywhere,” with shocking stories like a wildlife encounter on a mine site where dingoes turned a lunch break into a harrowing ordeal, and a tragic case of a surveyor stung by a bee with devastating consequences. Whether it’s working from home, navigating shared spaces, or surviving the unexpected, this episode sheds light on the psychosocial risks workers face across industries and environments. Join us as we connect the dots between these extraordinary tales, offering insights, reflections, and a touch of humour as we ask: What does it really mean to design workplaces to suit such unpredictable times

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