Shows
WhyWork PodcastS09 E12: “Puppy-Gate” and Stripping as a Side-HussleSeason 09 Episode 12: “Puppy-Gate” and Stripping as a Side-HussleWARNING: This episode includes discussion on stripping as a trade – we advise listener discretionAlan reflects on the South Australian work-from-home ‘puppy-gate’ test of law when a local government worker claimed worker’s compensation for an injury she sustained while working from home. In this instance, she tripped over a puppy fence she’d installed in the home to segregate her puppy from a pet bunny.Here is the breakdown of the case:Initial Decision: The Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme (LGAWCS) rejected Ms. Vercoe's c...
2026-01-2643 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E10: How Much do you C.A.R.E. About Work and Life?Season 09 Episode 10: How Much do you C.A.R.E. About Work and Life?WARNING: This episode refers to sexual escapades that may offend some people – we advise listener discretion.This episode continues the thread from S09 E09: An Assault on Office Decorum, while the crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, debate methods to provide supportive workplace environments and develop defences to protect workers from harm.Sara explains a systems-view on psychosocial risk management, providing workplace defences to subsequent psychological harm to workers (inspired by EMESRT’s 9 Layers of Defence in Vehicle Interactions ) – C.A.R.E...
2026-01-1224 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E09: An Assault on Office DecorumSeason 09 Episode 09: An Assault on Office DecorumWARNING: This episode refers to sexual escapades that may offend some people – we advise listener discretion.The crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss a confronting case, Evan Ashley Solstace v Metley Toleda Ltd [2023] FCA 456, which made headlines: ‘Creepy office work is slammed by judge for filthy acts at work.’ The judge called the situation, “Shambolic!”“Great word,” reflects Trajce.Sara explains some of the findings resulting from Alan’s case research, “This worker was found to engage in purposeful lewd workplace behaviours. He would fart in the hallwa...
2026-01-0521 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E07: Trading Up – Work in the Sex TradeSeason 09 Episode 07: Trading Up – Work in the Sex TradeWARNING: This episode refers to adult entertainment work domains – we advise listener discretion.Alan explores workplace claims involving an adult entertainment specialist, debating work arrangements and business entitlements. In doing so, he reveals some of the traits of a business contracting ‘done right.’ Work is work and the sex trade represents a legitimate industry and workplace with regular entitlements, says Trajce. Sara commends Alan, “I’m so glad you thought to discuss successes,” as she reflects on studying success and the value of simplicity as much as, if not mor...
2025-12-1521 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E04: The Moral Compass of the LawSeason 09 Episode 04: The Moral Compass of the Law“The idea of a moral compass of the law assumes that we care about caring,” Sara provokes. “We cannot escape the moral compass of the law,” Trajce warns. Alan agrees, “Good laws reflect good moral judgment.”The podcasters explore contemporary, newsworthy topics related to moral injury. Sara describes moral injury, an occupational psychosocial hazard, as a cross-cutting hazard – one that crosscuts acute and cumulative exposure pathways. Listen to more on this to understand ethical challenges to one’s sense of integrity. The WhyWork Podcast crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara explore...
2025-11-2428 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E03: “Top o’ the morning to ya!”Season 09 Episode 03: "Top o' the morning to ya!"The WhyWork Podcast team marvel at a case when a seemingly simple salutation triggers a workplace dismissal. “Was it fair?’ Trajce begs the question. Alan asks about material misconduct and whether a belief related to the cause of an offence is reasonable justification for dismissal.This is a provocative episode, prompting deep thought on when play becomes concerning, and justifiable misconduct. Alan and Sara revel in the debate on sentiment, intention, and the impacts at work when you but your foot in your mouth. “Yes, like what about...
2025-11-1723 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E02: Spyware – Yah, baby! It’s all the rageSeason 09 Episode 02: Spyware - Yah, baby! It’s all the rageThe team debate a question in workplace dismissals: “Was the sacking harsh, unjust, or unreasonable?”Alan presents the new way of working as an inspector – using body-worn cameras in investigations. He argues, “If you are capturing someone’s personal information, a video of them, a voice recording, and their interactions, the person should receive a copy of what has been captured.” Trajce and Sara weigh in on the debate, with workplace trends rampant in the use of spyware software, tracking keystrokes, and meeting attendance. Sara reminds t...
2025-11-1028 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 E01: Canoodlin’ on Camera – Why it matters in the workplace Season 09 Episode 01 of the WhyWork Podcast begins with sensational media gossip that leads the team, Alan, Sara, and Trajce (aka “Ziggy,” the pop music master), down a pathway of discussion on the bounds of workplace dismissal. Yes, the Coldplay incident. Trajce asks about reasonable workplace treatment when the scope of query encroaches upon one’s personal life. They discuss what happens when a worker is caught “pashing off” with someone unexpected and the taboos around workplace relationships. Trajce uses another example - when an employee refuses to take an alcohol breath test to demonstrate fitness for work.The podcas...
2025-11-0339 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 Trailer 03: Nothing but dismissals - can't we all just get along?Season 09 Trailer 03: Nothing but dismissals - can't we all just get along?Season 09 takes listeners down a workplace dismissal path. Alan, Trajce, and Sara explore workplace conflicts and government prosecutions in work health and safety law. Alan struggles... listen in for more on this with Season 09 releases - coming soon!
2025-10-3001 min
WhyWork PodcastS09 Trailer 03: Nothing but dismissals - can't we all just get along?Season 09 Trailer 03: Nothing but dismissals - can't we all just get along?Season 09 takes listeners down a workplace dismissal path. Alan, Trajce, and Sara explore workplace conflicts and government prosecutions in work health and safety law. Alan struggles... listen in for more on this with Season 09 releases - coming soon!
2025-10-0901 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E12: Jumping Castles Part TwoSeason 08 Episode 12: Jumping Castles Part TwoWARNING: This episode includes discussion about fatal events impacting children and families – we advise listener discretion.The WhyWork Podcast Team, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss the complexities of a prosecutorial strategy when fatal events occur at a school: children who die as a result of a windstorm and out-of-control, airborne jumping castle. Those involved in the work design include a jumping castle supplier, the workplace host, a school, and an overseas manufacturer.Alan shares his grief in retelling this tale and pays his respect to the families an...
2025-09-1544 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E11: Toolbox Talk: Acknowledgement of CountrySeason 08 Episode 11: Toolbox Talk: Acknowledgement of CountryWARNING: This episode addresses cultural sensitivity issues in the workplace – we advise listener discretion.Trajce challenges his podcast team, Alan, and Sara, with a claim about cultural sensitivities. He shares a tale about a street sweeper’s unfair dismissal by a local government city council after he raised his concerns about the Acknowledgement of Country before a toolbox session. To add probative value to the engineering of this dismissal, Trajce explains, the employer complained about the worker's failure to attend cultural sensitivity training. “The problem?” Trajce asks, “the employee w...
2025-09-0821 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E10: Darth Vader and the handshake of deathSeason 08 Episode 10: Darth Vader and the handshake of deathAlan, Trajce, and Sara start this episode in discussion about the social etiquette of handshakes. Alan advocates for the politeness of the handshake in business negotiations, and Trajce explains his handshake aversions, and the origins of a handshake.In this reverie, Trajce reflects on his support band, warming up big names in the 1980’s, like The Village People and Kim Wilde. Sara shares details bout her fun night out listening to Tyne James Organ and Jacob Fitzgerald & the Electric City live at a local venue....
2025-09-0128 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E08: Levellin’ Up: Health Screening vs Human RightsSeason 08 Episode 08: Levellin’ Up: Health Screening vs Human Rights“It is my human right to grab a meat pie from the local pie cart,” Trajce defends his actions. “Everyone is stressed, so what is your stress level?” enquires Alan, in his effort to empathise and disarm a respondent. “What’s your level, not your age, but your level?” asks Sara, “We’re levelling up – that’s empowering!”This episode extends discussion on the events surrounding S08 E02: Christmas Day Code Blue. In this episode, the WhyWork crew dig into the uncomfortable truth that many wellness initiatives are a shiny di...
2025-08-1829 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E07: Danger, Design, and Digital RealitiesSeason 08 Episode 07: Danger, Design, and Digital RealitiesWARNING: This episode discusses injuries caused by recreational fixed plan – we advise listener discretion.“How do you design better work when the risks are invisible, intangible, or hard to map?" asks Trajce. In this forward-thinking episode, the WhyWork crew explores how Shared Virtual Presence (SVP) is transforming the way organisations approach risk, work design, and collaboration.Trajce shares his perspective on the value of SVP in creating shared language and visible systems thinking, and Alan digs into how digitised assessments are finally bringing mental health into main...
2025-08-1124 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E06: Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild Theme Park Rides: When Fun turns FatalSeason 08 Episode 06: Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild Theme Park Rides: When Fun turns FatalWARNING: This episode discusses a serious injury to a child – we advise listener discretion.“Theme parks are workplaces where serious harm could eventuate,” bemoans Trajce.In this gripping episode, the WhyWork crew dive into the devastating case of a child who suffered a traumatic scalping injury while on a Wile E. Coyote-themed amusement rideAlan walks us through the case, unpacking the sequence of mechanical and human errors. Trajce brings his classic bluntness and empathy, highlighting how poor design choices...
2025-08-0419 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E05: Is it a crime? The syrupy sweetness of criminal recovery, comebacks, and swearing in the workplaceSeason 08 Episode 05: Is it a crime? The syrupy sweetness of criminal recovery, comebacks, and swearing in the workplaceWARNING: This episode discusses human rights breaches - we advise listener discretion.Does a criminal record mean a life sentence of unemployment? This episode dives into how past convictions keep people locked out of work. Alan reflects, “Inclusive hiring isn’t charity. It’s good business sense. We should not define skills and character by a past conviction.” Alan recounts a case of a government employee hampered by a past criminal investigation. Listen in to learn about the resu...
2025-07-2821 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E04: Nipple Tweaks & Bottom Taps: The border between play and predatory assaultSeason 08 Episode 04: Nipple Tweaks & Bottom Taps: The border between play and predatory assaultWARNING: This episode includes discussion on sexual harassment - we advise listener discretion.Ever wondered when ‘just joking’ becomes sexual harassment? In this eye-opening episode, we unpack real stories of workplace encounters that cross the line—like unwanted bottom taps or nipple tweaks (Are these ever really okay?!) . Alan, Trajce, and Sara discuss why dismissing these actions as both banter and play lets disrespect thrive. Sara says, “We need to normalise calling out these moments, not laugh them off.” Trajce adds, “People think it’s h...
2025-07-2219 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 E03: Too much to carry: The case that alters the landscape of mining prosecutionsSeason 08 Episode 03: Too much to carry: The case that alters the landscape of mining prosecutionsWARNING: In this episode, the podcasters discuss extreme mental health duress - we advise listener discretion.Noone died. But two workers were emotionally broken by the weight of their jobs – this time, the system noticed.In this episode of WhyWork, we explore a landmark $1.2M enforceable undertaking in mining. Not for a collision, Not for a fire. Not for an explosion. And not for a fatality, but for two finance staff affected by their crushing workloads, bl...
2025-07-1428 min
WhyWork PodcastS08 Bonus: WhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Work, rest, and playSeason 08 Bonus: WhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Work, rest, and playShould employees be permitted to disconnect from their workplace during their 'downtime'? Alan discusses The Fair Work Ammendment Right to Disconnect Bill 2023 which makes it legislatively clear that the provisions in work health safety laws intend to support workers. Alan contends that workers need to recharge and replenish versus always being 'ON' at work. "... Work, rest, and play," croons Trajce, citing the candybar jingle.For more on this, listen to:S06 E07: We revisit the right to disconnect, & S05 E03: Grab...
2025-07-0202 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E10: That old chestnut –Pets & work from homeSeason 07 Episode 10: That old chestnut –Pets & work from homePets at home or in the office are a ‘thing’ in modern workplaces. Alan explains, “Some organisations host ‘dog for the day’ events.” Trajce shares his faith-based workplace perk, a ‘Blessing of the animals,’ whether the animal is a police horse, a guinea pig, a dog, or cat. In response, Sara dreams of being blessed which prompts the boys to imagine Sara in all kinds of ‘furry’ dress-up costume scenes. In response to Sara’s protests, Alan concedes, “Sara is just a party animal.”Trajce describes a Work Cover claim involving...
2025-03-2429 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E09: Gilmore versus Blue Care: A hankering for sexSeason 07 Episode 09: Gilmore versus Blue Care: A hankering for sexWARNING: This episode includes discussion on a workplace sexual assault – we advise listener discretion.Alan introduces the case, Gilmore versus Blue Care, a community home care provider. In this case, a personal carer submitted her claim against her employer because of her report of sexual assault when providing daily living support to older men living in a group home. These men each had various forms of mental health disorders and daily living support needs, necessitating their care provision. However, Alan paints the scenario of collective vu...
2025-03-1722 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E07: AI Ethics: A Beautifully Shambolic DisasterSeason 07 Episode 07: AI Ethics: A Beautifully Shambolic DisasterWARNING: This episode includes discussion on a workplace fatality – we advise listener discretion.“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is off its tree!” protests Trajce. “This stuff is dangerous. Its hallucinogenic – a beautifully shambolic disaster. Society must put the rails on it.” “Are you going to try to reign in Sara?” asks Alan, “Impossible!” he follows.Trajce explains his experiencing on using AI to research case law. Tested three times, the AI spit out a different version of events. He warns against the implications to legal practitioners on relying on such inco...
2025-03-0328 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E06: Free to air - The blue channels and digging in the trenchesSeason 07 Episode 06: Free to air - The blue channels and digging in the trenchesWARNING: This episode includes discussion on both sex and serious workplace fatalities and injuries – we advise listener discretion.“Have you guys heard about the airline kerfuffle?” nudges Sara, as she shares a media report, “There was a flaw in the movie selection technology.” “It was a bit romantic, maybe a bit too romantic,” agrees Alan. “Bare boobs and prosthetic penises, or so the story goes,” Sara elaborates. She asks the boys, Trajce and Alan, to consider the impacts on workers and the po...
2025-02-2427 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E05: Tickle versus Giggle for GirlsSeason 07 Episode 05: Tickle versus Giggle for GirlsWARNING: This episode discusses a fatal incident – we advise listeners to use their discretion.Alan shares a human right’s case on 'Tickle versus Giggle for Girls,' an alleged case of discrimination from joining a ‘club’ via a service App based on gender identity. “This is squarely political,” says Trajce, “each party has a strong interest group behind them as this case enters into appeal.Trajce shares more stories on these issues and his experience on managing the allocation of toileting facilities (loos and showers) based on gende...
2025-02-1723 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E04: Cheap and nasty: The unintended consequences of workplace interventions Season 07 Episode 04: Cheap and nasty: The unintended consequences of workplace interventionsThis episode extends the discussion from Season 07 Episode 02 on workplace incentives. Thank you, Michael Grima, who shared a media report on paid Tinder leave benefits. “You get paid to go out on a date?” Alan marvels. “Love me, Tinder…” Trajce croons. “I guess being in love is supposed to make you productive,” Sara reasons. Trajce digs in, “Coffee, Botox, I’ll take it all. I’ll buy in I’m cheap and nasty!”Sara needles the boys to consider the legal implications of a workplace incentive gone...
2025-02-1024 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 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 sh...
2025-02-0329 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E02: Workplace incentives to combat the return-to-office ball-&-chainSeason 07 Episode 02: Workplace incentives to combat the return-to-office ball-&-chainThe 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 w...
2025-01-2729 min
WhyWork PodcastS07 E01: Two Years of WhyWork: Celebrations, Travel, Trivialising Workplace Safety, and DesignSeason 07 Episode 1: Two Years of WhyWork: Celebrations, Travel, Trivialising Workplace Safety, and DesignCelebrations - 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 Tas...
2025-01-2031 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E13: From underwear to underworld: Criminal tiesSeason 06 Epsiode 13: From underwear to underworld: Criminal tiesWARNING: This episode includes sexual references - listener discretion is advised.Trajce jokes about purchasing a pair of Tradie’s underwear, a discussion thread continuing from Season 05 Episode 04. Trajce wonders if ads like this offend peoples' sensibilities.Alan responds, “There will not be many situations in a workplace when you would contemplate showing a video of people in their underwear.” Sara asserts that context matters, arguing “You can’t judge an event for infinity – the spirit of the times matters, the ‘zeitgeist’.” Alan reassures her, “You’re exactly right...
2024-11-2529 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E12: It's going SWM'inglySeason 06 Episode 12: It's going SWM'inglyThe podcasters, Trajce, Alan, and Sara, discuss the conventions of establishing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS). Alan likens SWMS to mythology, rigorously enforced from powers that be, though he believes that the legal doctrine supporting them is unclear. Alan asks, “Do they really work?”Trajce shares his research on breaches of work health and safety law, including fatal events. “In these cases,” he reveals, “90% of the defendants presented a SWMS – 517 cases, in fact.” In these cases, the SWMS were either not followed, not well considered or constructed, or work simply changed and th...
2024-11-1824 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E10: Moooo – It’s a stampede!Season 06 Episode 10: Moooo – It’s a stampede!WARNING: A fatality is discussed in this episode – listener discretion is advised.Country boy Alan shares a story about cows in Wales. In this case, a cow went haywire while farm workers offloaded it from its transit vehicle to a pen. The cow was agitated, jumped off its ramp, killing a 75 y/o farmworker, and injuring another man. “Can you keep the cattle calm?” begs Trajce. They team dissect the case, remarking on the lack of enclosures and barriers as restraints on the spooked bovine creature. This case prompts Tr...
2024-11-0424 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E09: IRL? In Real Life? Software solutions and AI in work designSeason 06 Episode 09: IRL? In Real Life? Software solutions and AI in work designTrajce struggles with the ideas of ‘flow efficiency,’ likening this to urine tract functioning. Sorry, Anna Linning - a subscriber who asked about ‘flow’… Alan connects the idea to Flo’s scones, Flo Bjelke-Petersen’s famous pumpkin scones. Sara brings the boys back around to discuss psychological flow, theories from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and links these ideas to job redesign and software solutions. She shares one of the ViVA team’s software solution partners, “Beam me up with Beamible” for agile job design with what-if scenarios and cost a...
2024-10-2836 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E06: Scope creep and Snag-areesSeason 06 Episode 06: Scope creep and Snag-areesWARNING: This episode includes sexual inferences.“The power of the beep is getting to Trajce’s head,” says Alan. “This is a very serious podcast,” Trajce protests.The cause for the bleep is revealed: “Oh my gosh,” Sara says through laughter, “There is a ‘snag, drag, and bag’ phrase online describing people pulling fish out of the ocean, a ‘snag drag queen’,” she jeers, while exclaiming that, “This is a ‘snag-aree’!”Trajce gets back to case law, telling a story about a newly-appointed receptionist at a UK law firm. He describes all th...
2024-10-0730 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E05: I spy with my little eyeSeason 06 Episode 05: I spy with my little eyeSara introduces the topics of ‘design for crime’ and surveillance systems with predictive analytics generated by artificial intelligence. Alan speaks about his experiences with intelligent surveillance systems and their ability to see, feel, hear, and determine responses. Alan explains that business must establish their purpose and context when using video surveillance before consulting legal teams. “Bingo!” exclaims Sara, “Explain the design brief.”Alan presents a work health and safety case in which the regulator charged a work health and safety manager for their alleged inadequate development of a work proce...
2024-09-3025 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: The accidental criminalWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: BONUS. Alan explains that work health and safety law penalties are deterrants. Often, executives and officers are not intentional criminals, and yet criminal law applies to breaches of workplace health and safety obligations. Alan elaborates, "It's extremely rare that an employer has wanted an employee to be injured or consciously thought about causing injury, but the penalties serve as deterrants and are thought to improve workplace practices across industry." For more on this topic, listen to: S05 E08: Smooth criminal: The sociology of industrial crime.
2024-09-1601 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E03: Roger rabbit, reconciling responsibilities: Who’s job is it anyway?Season 06 Episode 03: Roger rabbit, reconciling responsibilities: Who’s job is it anyway?WARNING: This episode discusses road safety fatal hazard exposures and construction failures.“A cream bun goes a long way for you,” Alan teases Trajce when Trajce admits that he could never prosecute a baker.Alan describes a work health and safety legal case when a football club grandstand roof collapsed during construction. The construction workers were fortunate to avoid significant injuries.Sara regales a story about her drive home from her son’s rugby practice when a car sped past the...
2024-09-1630 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E02: An uppy or a downySeason 06 Episode 02: An uppy or a downyWARNING: This episode includes discussion about the fatality of a child.“Are you an ‘Uppy’ or a ‘Downy’?” asks Alan.“We have reached the lowest watermark on the show here,” says TrajceAlan is entertained by Sara’s social media post about universal in public facilities. “Are we living for design or are we designed for living?” queries Trajce.“Exactly!” exclaims Sara, “Design shapes behaviours.”Alan introduces the idea of prosecution of designers. Trajce pontificates on causational chains of responsibilities. Sara recalls a media-reported...
2024-09-0935 min
WhyWork PodcastS06 E01: Special Release - Extended Episode: Good design strategy in mining: Section 22 – ‘Don’t overcook the chook’ Warning: This episode discusses workplace fatalities and complex injuriesSeason 06 Episode 01 is a special release extended episode, recorded live on stage at the Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar 2024 sponsored by the New South Wales Resources Regulator (NSW MESS 2024).The WhyWork Podcast rabble rousers, Alan Girle, Trajce Cvetkovski, and Sara Pazell wrestle with the idea of good design strategy in mining. “Section 22,” prompts Alan, referring to the Australian Work Health and Safety Act sections 22, 23, 24, 25(4) – “…give adequate information, including any conditions necessary to ensure safe use of the plant.” Sara seeks statements from members of the audience in this live re...
2024-08-261h 07
WhyWork PodcastS05 E14: You are my HROSeason 05 Bonus Episode 14Risk versus reward, reliability versus resilience: Trajce, Alan, and Sara explore these tensions. Trajce wants to talk about investigations and the sex industry, while Sara and Alan poke at Trajce’s sensitivities to Harvard Business Law style jargon. Alan, however, also wants to talk about sex trades with a throwback to Season 05 Episode 13: Wiggle it, just a little bit. He distracts Sara when she advocates for studying success (in addition to failures and faults) and the need to communicate simply when it comes to workplace investigation findings. She expands on ideas about high-reliability organisation (HR...
2024-08-0527 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E13: Wiggle it, just a little bitSeason 05 Episode 13 - We're getting jiggly.Warning: Adult content and humour.“We’ve got vibration, we’ve got noise, we’re getting jiggly here,” chimes Trajce. Sara describes the X, Y, Z axes of vibration measures. She tells a story of how she’s been attributed a certain type of ass-jiggling nick name.Alan live-records his demonstration of simulated tractor operation trial while testing the Whole Body Vibration mobile phone application developed by Professor Robin Burgess Limerick of the University of Queensland Sustainable Minerals Institute. The crew recognise Margarita Mandic of the Sunshine Coast in thi...
2024-07-2923 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E12: Awww. Stay. Louder! The Big BangWARNING – This episode presents content on workplace fatalities – listener discretion is advised.With a word play on cosmetics branding, Trajce frames the scenario explained by Sara: A naturally curious 14 y/o, an electric display vehicle, a shopping centre, and the make up counter. “This is like a red bull, a caged beast,” Trajce makes the analogy, “An ‘Awww. Stay. Louder!’“ moment, much to Alan's pained laughter.“No monkeying about,” leads Alan, as Sara describes another news story about work in the zoo when a worker gets caught inside the enclosure of a silver back gorilla, Elmo. Sara talks abo...
2024-07-2229 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E10: Stubble stash and mug matsSeason 05 Episode 10: Stubble stash and mug matsTo fit or not to fit?This episode discusses a WhyWork Podcast subscriber’s concern on managing the scenario when a bearded worker must wear a mask for their health protections at work. “Get better equipment,” is not the easiest mandate in this complex situation, says Count van Count, aka Trajce. He is expressive while displaying his well-groomed goatee. Alan agrees, recounting reasons why some people find this an emotive issue: cultural, religious, or industrial events.Sara confirms that Alan and Trajce often speak on the comple...
2024-07-0832 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E09: A prism party and colour cascadeSeason 05 Episode 09: A prism party and colour cascadeWARNING: This episode presents topics on workplace fatalities and suicide - Listener discretion is advised.Sara announces the publication of a new book of which she is a co-editor, “Healthcare Insights: The voice of the consumer, the practitioner, and the work design strategist.” “The intent,” she explains, “is to empathise and to understand situations from many points of view. It’s like holding a crystal to the sky, and seeing different colours refract when you spin it around,” says Sara. Trace concurs, “Storytelling and narratives are prisms to view a differ...
2024-07-0141 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E08: Smooth Criminal: The sociology of industrial crimeSeason 05 Episode 08: Smooth Criminal: The sociology of industrial crimeWARNING: This episode discusses fatalities in the workplace. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode, Alan broaches the topic of industrial manslaughter by describing a case involving a forklift operation fatal incident in a stonemasonry company in New South Wales. This prompts Trajce to reflect on a case where a prosecuted employer ritualistically honoured the anniversary of the death of their worker by paying for an ode of remembrance in the bereavement section of the local newspaper to acknowledge how much the apprentice was...
2024-06-2432 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E07: We've gone BarneySeason 05 Episode 07: Trajce raises the issue of the Barnaby Bother. It was a Boisterous Barnaby Bumble… Alan explains the alcohol-infused ‘Barnaby bumble’: It made national news, all around Australia, and it was highly embarrassing to anyone involved. Trajce reminds the crew that Zahi Steggall, Member of Parliament New South Wales, SW MP, has implored, “We must do something about alcohol use in parliament.”We cannot trivialise this. Yet, alcohol consumption is culturally indoctrinated in Australia. Trajce announces his publication on trivialisation of risk in the workplace. Alcohol-related activity is one of the 6 typologies found in Reality TV, a reflecti...
2024-06-1722 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E06: Doctor, doctor, give me a callWhyWork Podcast subscriber Anna Linning asks, “How are different organisations managing the phenomena of digital and instant communication modes in their business - Teams, social media, intranets, and the like?” “Doctor, doctor, give me a call,” Alan chimes, reflecting on Anna’s work in an Australian occupational medical practice.The team debate the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2023 on the right to disconnect because of the issue raised by Anna: the communication impact on mental and emotional load. “I’m finding major problems with this amendment,” scoffs Sara, “Have we returned to that Caucasian, male, privileged work convention?” Alan replies, “… thi...
2024-06-1023 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E05: Shimmyin' on the dance floorWARNING: This episode references suicide and sexual matters.The WhyWork crew debate the contest of being forthright in social relations. Trajce reveals a case of a young, drunken lawyer determined to approach a colleague on the dancefloor at a work party. The courts deemed his behaviour to be highly inappropriate and sexualised. This sounds like Season 01 and Episode 01, ‘Bubbles of Trouble.’ “It’s rather sudsy, ” Alan reflects. “It’s the ‘A’ word,” says Trajce, “the Aaa-lcohol that subjects a young person to a new state of vulnerability. This is a common theme.” “Ten Bundies and Coke might erode a few boundaries,” h...
2024-06-0334 min
WhyWork PodcastS05: E04: Office spirits: Culture & controversySara laments the damage to her little toe that got no roast beef, “… and it was on my birthday!” she punctuates the story. No, she hadn't been drinking...The team debate the idea of drinking at work, particularly when it is distributed. Sara describes a case when a teacher concluded his remote video call with his employer by drinking from a cask of wine. When disputed, the parties agreed on the facts that this violated workplace agreements and code of conduct.Alan slurps his lemon soda in the background as Sara and Trajce debate the ideas...
2024-05-2734 min
WhyWork PodcastS05 E03: Grab the Pilates socks – it’s our ‘right to disconnect’ time“These lawyer boys are like Teflon,” Sara labels, “You see? There you go again– deflection! That is deflection number 02 this morning,” she accuses Alan.After discussing Alan’s adventures, soaring above the lush, grassy, green, open paddocks of Tasmania and Trajce’s newfound love of the Reformer and his Pilates socks, the team venture into workplace discourse.Trajce asks, “If I ask you about your right to disconnect, what does it mean to you?” Alan, Trajce, and Sara debate the amendments to the Fair Work Legislation 2009 on the right to disconnect. The team focus their discussions on the...
2024-05-2033 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E13: The "T" as "Count von Count"Season 04 Episode 13: Alan, Trajce, and Sara discuss the casualised work phenomenon introduced in a rampant way during the pandemic, causing the management of distributed work and the advent of remote video call meetings.Trajce discloses one of his secret nicknames, The Count von Count from Sesame Street, which is met by Alan and Sara’s appreciative laughter who cannot 'unsee' Trajce as The Count.Sara shares a junk food gem, passed to her by a past workmate and friend, Dr Brent Oldenburg, the chocolate M&M covered movie popcorn!Alan discusses the confrontation, the unfriendly an...
2024-04-0127 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E12: Never smile at a crocodile“Never smile at a crocodile,” chimes Alan. This episode speaks on working with critters; the first, a case of two soldiers attacked by a crocodile in Far North Queensland. Comcare charged the Australian Department of Defense for breaching federal work and safety laws for failing to maintain a safe system of work, training, and policy implementation. “You’ve obviously seen an alligator or two in your travels across America, Sara,” Trajce suggests. The boys start chest-thumping their machismo argument that the salty crocodile of Australia is bigger and tougher than the American alligator counterpart, “A nibbler,” admonishes Trajce, “I’d like to see them...
2024-03-2530 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E11: The things we do for funSeason 04 Episode 11: The things we do for fun.WARNING: This episode discusses fatalitiesAlan reflects on the prosecutions and a pending coronial inquest on the fatalities of the six Tasmanian children (and three injured children) while playing in jumping castles during their school fair. “The judgement on the facts is pending,” Alan explained, “and there are no industrial manslaughter judgements in Tasmania.” The team grapples with the loss of innocent lives and the relaxed approaches to risk management when we embrace recreational fun versus work activities. “You are ready to have fun, you are expecting to have fun...
2024-03-1823 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E10: Prosecuting nicelySeason 04 Episode 10: Prosecuting ‘nicely’WARNING: Suicide is discussed in this episode.Alan introduces a model of prosecution adopted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator that provides guidance to industry and focuses on the most important prosecutorial issues. Alan and Trajce dream of dismantling ideological boundaries so that business and industry can return to the fundamental questions on, “What is our purpose?" In this way, creative solutions can be found to solve age-old problems. Sara is excited by what she sees as the favourable view of design in this light and her influence on the way that t...
2024-03-1127 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E09: Ker-Choo! To work or not to work in the face of dangerCAUTION: This episode speaks on near miss harm of a child.Season 04 Episode 09: This episode speaks about the first pillar of work design, workplace protections, and the sociopolitical influences of worker empowerment. Thank you to subscriber, David Denoux, who shared his story on construction work and safety concerns.“If something goes wrong, terribly wrong, it will change your life,” warns Alan, “just say 'no' and walk away.” Sara reminds Alan and Trajce that sometimes a worker may not feel empowered or privileged to walk away or to speak up, hinting at the second pillar in work des...
2024-03-0420 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E08: The archiac adage of deserving a good spankingSeason 04 Episode 08: The archiac adage of deserving a good spankingWARNING: This episode shares a story on workplace sexual harassment: listener discretion is advised.This episode covers two main topics. The first, thanks to our subscriber Andrew Nicholls, a design and technology teacher and researcher, who informed us of his advocacy for the provision of personal protective equipment to school technology and design staff. Alan reminds us of the case against a university because of levies charged to nursing students for their fit testing of respiratory protective equipment before they undertook their hospital placements. Trajce...
2024-02-2621 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E06: Methane momentsWARNING: A fatality and suicide are discussed in this episode.Season 04 Episode 06: “We’re all human,” Alan explains, “even during our methane messaging,” as he details the news story of U.S. Biden administration’s climate envoy, John Kerry, delivering a passionate speech on climate change in the most awkward exchange that was captured on film. The idea of ‘messaging’ led to the trio’s, Alan, Trajce, and Sara’s, expansion on the WhyWork Podcast’s vocabulary After Alan introduces topics on mining, Sara recalls her visit to the Mackay Resources Center of Excellence (RCOE) with Karen Sanders of...
2024-02-1233 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E05: To live is to be anxious, especially in the toxic workplaceWARNING: Suicide is mentioned in this episode.Season 04 Episode 05: Trajce introduces the idea of psychosocial factors causing work-related mental health disorders and psychological injury in a case in Victoria that led to the reguator's prosecution of a government agency. Alan explains that the injured person in this case committed suicide and even though this loss of life was not directly related to the workplace dynamics, the prosecution fine was significant. "This case," Alan recalls, "demonstrates that the public sector is not immune to prosecution."Trajce speaks on Brodie’s law, Victorian anti-bullying June 2011 legislation that ma...
2024-02-0535 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E04: Ker-Choo! Dusty and crusty - for the love of power toolsSeason 04 Episode 04: "It's time to put the lid on dust," Trajce advances. Engineered stone, silica exposure - this has been in the media of late. The trio, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss who is vulnerable to these exposures and why. Trajce argues that the regulators must not demonise one hazard exposure. Rather, pragmatism is needed to determine the safety of work.Alan argues the case that even when a business adheres to the workplace adivsory exposure standards for respirable dust, it does not matter when evaluated by a regulator. Trajce reminds us that dust is everywhere across...
2024-01-2932 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 E01: The GIF Gal and the Emoji ManSeason 04 Episode 01: “I’m a GIF gal and you are Emoji men,” says Sara. “Is it the eggplant emoji?” she teases. Trajce rolls his eyes and, in his exasperation, argues that it takes 3 seconds for the conversation to devolve among our trio. “I wouldn’t know,” he says, “it is just a nightshade fruit to me.”Trajce limits his hieroglyphics lexicon of an emoji library to four: the smiley face, the cappuccino, a beer stein, and a glass of red wine. “In vino veritas… in wine, there is truth,” he shares the Latin phrase attributed to Pliny the Elder. “The impact of...
2024-01-1034 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: For the thrill of itWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: "There is an element of risk because that is what people of chasing," Alan reflects when considering the way that the courts are confronted by applying conventional law to the design of sport and recreation when it crosses over to the workplace. "We do it for the thrill of it," agrees Sara. A BONUS to the Season 03 Episode 06: Cha-cha-cha thrill rides.
2024-01-0101 min
WhyWork PodcastS04 is coming soon: Our patchwork chat trailerWhyWork Season 04: Here we go again. Sex is a primal driver and we dig around and bring it all to the surface. Sara primes the boys and jolts them into recalling the blitz of conversations in the season recordings. This is a patchwork of our background chats so listeners will hear us debate and antognise each other, as mates, while we reflect on the purpose of the podcast, the fabulous subscriber support this year, and our national award nomination. Trajce argues that we have transcended and our message is the 'non-message,' but we have a mission to prompt...
2023-12-2707 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Work from home, duck, and go lowBONUS: "Do you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket at home?" Sara asks. "I do indeed!" exclaims Trajce, while he elaborates on his family's home fire drills. Alan remarks that it all can seem incredulous, yet makes sense if we are in a working landscape of distributed work and the safety provisions must be adhered in any space, any place, any time. This 'WhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot' complements Season 03 Episode 12: Duck and cover, go low!
2023-12-2501 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Power, sexual coercion, and primal needsBONUS: WhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: "Our primal urges matter," Trajce agitates. Sex happens, and it happens among those in a working relationship. "We must expect the unexpected," Alan warns. We are reminded about these power relations in Season 3 Episode 09: A pervasive culture of masculinity.
2023-12-1101 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: R-E-S-P-E-C-T Show a little respectIn this WhyNOT kernel of wisdom, Alan reminds us that no matter our level of agreement with our colleagues, showing a little respect maintains the harmony and provides a more supportive workplace in which people can tolerate diverse ideas. Season 03 Episode 01: Do not carve another man's turkey, Season 02 Episode 09: Quid pro quo, and Season 02 Episode 10: Name and Shame, describe the circumstances when workers do not show respect for their colleagues.
2023-12-0401 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E12: Duck and cover, go low!Season 03 Episode 12: "To PPE or not to PPE?" asks Sara. No matter the philosophy driving work practice, a business is always tested at the pointy end of the law when the boundaries of work, health, and safety are pushed. The team debate the mandates for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Sara and Alan argue the logic of context and circumstance driving the consideration. Trajce assumes the role of the zealous prosecutor and exclaims that if the sign instructs wear of PPE, one must comply. "Do you always follow the rules, Trajce, just because they are written?" she...
2023-11-2733 min
WhyWork PodcastS03: E11: A case of the missing Brussels sproutsSeason 03 Episode 11: WARNING: This episode discusses a fatality. The team lament the phenomenon of media reporting in an article about the public strain caused by grocery delivery delays. The cause of the delays was a fatality in a national grocer's distribution and warehouse centre. "It's not about the Brussels sprouts," says Alan. Trajce is infuriated, "What about the fatality?" he asks, "I've read far too many victim impact statements to take any of this lightly." Sara presents the idea of a High Reliability Organisation which is characterised by a preoccupation with failure, a reluctance to simplify, sensitivity...
2023-11-2030 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E10: A Triad of Influence: Power, Knowledge, and TruthSeason 03 Episode 10: WARNING: content on the influence of sex and culture on workplace boundaries is discussed in this episode."We're back to sexual boundaries!" Sara exclaims. "We never left," Trajce concedes. Trajce presents the influence of Foucault's post modernistic views on our understanding of the 'Triad of Influence: Power, Knowledge, and Truth' ."The mix of knowledge and power creates a truth when espoused as fact by a politician, medical specialist, or famous person in a privileged position," explains Trajce, "and it is most alarming when these people leverage these influences to execute nefarious deeds or satisfy sexual...
2023-11-1330 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E09: A pervasive culture of masculinitySeason 03 Episode 09: "Men can be challenged by their role expectations in society," Alan reasons. Sara asks the boys to define 'precarious manhood.' She presents the idea of a pervasive culture of masculinity, in sport, at work, and in relationships. "The idea of 'bigger, better, and rougher' can be aspirational," Trajce presents. Sara argues that there are oodles of research studies showing that these reinforced behaviours can manifest and cause stress, anxiety, and violence. "In the court room, both parties can lose dignity, and court should be considered a last resort to resolve a dispute," Alan remarks. He recounts...
2023-11-0631 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E08: Is bigger better: What is the size of your truck?Season 03 Episode 08: The boys query the symbolism of the size of the truck. "The bigger the truck, the smaller the..." muses Sara. "Supersize me! Raptor, Ram," Trajce rolls the names across his tongue with a guttural snarl. A truck and its accessories are one's identity, a sign of masculinity, and status for some owners. "The history of the Ute (a utility vehicle) is a symbol of Australia," reminisces Trajce, "the Ute and the cattle dog. “Trajce and Alan reflect on the loss of loads from a truck bed, "That sphincter just closes as the realisation hits you that things ar...
2023-10-3030 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E07: Intentional design & submersiblesSeason 03 Episode 07: WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode."I didn't really read the article, I just looked at the pictures," admits Trajce. Alan and Sara burst into fits of laughter while Sara admits that she reads the comics before the news. Sara recounts a tale of tennis players who recall the play-by-play points of their matches, even those played 20 years ago. She asks, "How do you temper the passion that is required of a world class winner when behaviours can be deemed to be aggressive by regulators?" The team link this discussion to the idea of thrill-seeking risk...
2023-10-2334 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E06: Cha-cha-cha thrill ridesSeason 03 Episode 06: WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode.Trajce regales the story of the octopus ride at the amusement park: its carriage uncoupled from the main support arm and slid down side show alley. "Are you serious?" asks Sara, "That is out of a movie.""A guilty plea, mea culpa," says Trajce. "You know what was missing?" he asks, "human factors were not factored (into the risk assessments)."Alan, Sara, and Trajce challenge the idea of foreseeable risks of excitable children at amusement parks. Alan relays details of the 2016 Gold Coast Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride fatalities. Sara...
2023-10-1638 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E05: Whakaari - the smouldering dragonSeason 03 Episode 05: WARNING - fatalities are discussed.Alan explains the current court case concerning the Whakaari / White Island volcano and discusses thrill-based recreational activities that can subject tourists to catastrophic events. "The island was smouldering like a magic dragon," Sara elaborates. "I've been there!" exclaims Trajce. Trajce recounts his motivation to visit Whakaari by chartered helicopter and the out-of-this-world experiences where the lava looked like neon ooze from outer space. The team debate the cultural approaches to risk-taking and the thrill of it all in sport and recreation. Trajce explains that 'violenti non fit injuria', a voluntary...
2023-10-0934 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E04: Nurses - the heartbeat of healthcareSeason 03 Episode 04: We ask: "Who is at the heartbeat of your organisation?" In healthcare, that is often the nurse. Alan, Trajce, and Sara review complaints that were made by nursing staff to the regulator when hospital management announced their fitout of a nurses' station that would remove a counter barrier. "It must be more than just a counter to stir such emotion," says Sara, though she reminds the boys of the power of environmental design. Alan acknowledges the symbolism of a counter as a barrier to mitigate the escalation of occupational violence. Trajce demands decisions as he role plays...
2023-10-0228 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E03: WhyWHAT? Reflections: Farmer Owl-in, DJ Deer, and Magic OtterSeason 03 Episode 03 Reflects on early, childhood career interests and extends the Season 02 discussions on getting along with our colleagues. "Work is work." says Trajce, "but within that work construct... we must essentially get along." Alan contends that respect must be upheld in social relations at work, whether you like someone or not! (Very diplomatic, Alan). Sara considers whether an open plan office constrains social engagement among work colleagues versus the professional mock "dating app" to get to know others at work. She extends that discussion to envision a design strategies curates design partnerships (among conventional designers) and cultivates design...
2023-09-2520 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E02: WhyWHAT? Reflections: Disassociated from realityWarning: This episode refers to vicarious trauma and suicide in the workplace.Season 03 Episode 02 reflects on vicarious trauma in the workplace. Alan recaps on mental health first aid programming and the boundaries around that service scope requiring effective referrals to qualified and trained healthcare professionals. When the crew consider their work from home ideals, Sara dreams of her backyard spa, sauna, and wet kitchen for more outdoor living. Trajce lowers the bar and dreams of a damn good coffee machine, scratch that, he reverts to an 'all-you-can-eat' buffet. Alan agrees with Sara's position on considering fatigue in...
2023-09-1815 min
WhyWork PodcastS03 E01: WhyWHAT? Reflections: Do not carve another man's turkey“The stripper keeps coming back, straight out of the bottle,” says Alan. "You do not carve another man's turkey," is the meme entertained by Sara, as she reflects on a work party gone wrong. There were no boundaries and no planning, and the staff was teaming with Maslow's hierarchy of primal needs: hunger! "Does the prawn want to be peeled?" asks Trajce. Alan, Sara, and Trajce discuss the skills of a psychologist who can deescalate emotionally charged scenarios and help regain control of social situations. Trajce pontificates, “Power can be conveyed and transmuted through tribal culture and tradition, through the le...
2023-09-1129 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Work design in all manner of workplacesThis WhyNOT kernel of wisdom reminds us that workplace law prevails in all manners of workplaces, including brothels, from Season 02 Episode 05: It's Cougar Time and Season 02 Episode 06: Mi Casa es su Casa. "We cannot shy away from the difficult or discomfiting topics," Alan reminds us.
2023-08-1601 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E14: Spirit AnimalsSeason 2 Episode 14: The river otter, the wise owl, and the transformation of a deer to a stag and back again. When ‘fuzzy science’ can be meaningful in terms of personality profiles, values, and our behaviours. Why not have fun and reflect on who we are, how we are, and why? This episode reveals more intimate details about the mugs from backwater Brissie: Trajce, Alan, and Sara.
2023-08-0716 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E13: An upstanding citizen with salmon in his pocketSeason 02 Episode 13: This episode is dedicated to our teaching community. The podcast crew acknowledge that generalised stress can lead to dissociated behaviours and odd events can arise, like it did in the story of salmon stuffed in the professor’s pocket in a grocery store. Stress froths over in funny ways. Sara discusses the ‘God complex’ that might be needed to be successful in demanding roles, such as for surgeons, top lawyers, or professional athletes, “But when does it shut off?” asks Trajce. “It needs to shut off,” agrees Alan. There are immense pressures in accepting job roles when the personal l...
2023-07-3136 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E12: Space-O-Rama Season 02 Episode 12: Worker health and wellbeing on the moon and in outer space: Can you dream it? "You can't escape the iron cage of health and wellbeing," says Trajce. "Not a cage, an opportunity," Sara implores, as she imagines working on the technical requirements for the astronauts during their extra vehicular activity ('EVA') suits. The podcasters envision Jamie from 'The Outlander' in his kilt and how it might fly in outer space, while Barbarella makes her impressionable mark on the imagination of the team. Alan, Sara, and Trajce consider caring for our astronauts and imagine those who pay the...
2023-07-2422 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E11: Hip Hop Tragedy & The Ninja WarriorSeason 2 Episode 11: WARNING: A fatality is discussed in this episode.“Back to your techno days, Trajce,” says Alan. “I have a friend who organises amazing movie stunts,” says Sara. “Are you up for a ‘burn’?” asks Trajce. “With gel lathered all over the body and you light yourself on fire?” queries Sara, “I’ll try anything once!”she proclaims.Music videos and movie sets: the team debate a case resulting in a fatality during a hip hop music clip film. What is the appetite for human factors, safety management, and work systems design in movie making and on reality TV s...
2023-07-1723 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E10: Name & Shame: Where is the filter?Season 02 Episode 10 explores psychosocial impacts when naming and shaming go too far. "Cottage cheese thighs!" yelled the yoga guru, "You're obviously not vegan!". "The Matryoskha dolls keep opening," explains Trajce, as a metaphor. ‘Don’t push the envelope, don’t say it,” warns Trajce. ‘But if you say the regretful words, and you can’t wind it back, acknowledge it, and apologise,” says Alan. This episode fits with chapter 7 of the Ergonomics Insights book: Reshaping lifestyle changes in a heavy weight world.
2023-07-1026 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E09: Quid pro quo: Go hard, go prosecutorialSeason 02 Episode 09: “No more shoddy light fittings in hotel rooms!” exclaims Alan, “(I guess that) for any accommodation provider, there may be some bedroom activities (and) the bed must be strong.” “Honeymoon suite,” says Trajce.Sara laments the boundaries that erode during work travel and shares some stories about fruit and chocolate left at her door while travelling overseas. She reflects on the concerns that were raised for her to “watch out for the ‘trouser snakes’” while out on a mining site. Sara elaborates on the quid-pro-quo presented to her about “how will you be nice to me?” in exchange for b...
2023-07-0316 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E08: Reality TV and meSeason 02 Episode 08: Trajce ruminates over his fascination (read: obsession) with reality TV. He's even written a book on it! The crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara discuss reality TV and the phenomena of naming and shaming. "I can see how the camera person may be considered a worker (under current health and safety legislation)," says Sara, "but I would never have considered the contestant as a worker." "There is no voluntary acceptance of risk," warns Alan. Psychosocial hazard exposures are discussed when people are named, shamed, or exploited. "The reality TV contestant might not have ever truly understood how being...
2023-06-2618 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E07: 4 Men and Women 2: Nightstalker Fright NightWARNING: This episodes discusses confronting issues about sleepwalking and a urination faux-pas. The inequality of gender-based compensation is addressed in a round-about-way.S02 E07: Explores work travel antics and the constraints when an employer expects workers to share a room. Sara reminds Trajce and Alan about a past state government jingle, “4 Men and Women 2,” and the culture of acceptable alcohol intake. “Work travel seems to erode behavioural boundaries,” marvels Sara. Alan tells a confronting story about drunken ‘non sleep’ behaviours and the resulting trauma. “That’s a scene from Shogun,” says Sara. Alan admits, “I think I’d be pretty depressed...
2023-06-1920 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E06: Mi casa es su casaWARNING: This episode has SEXUAL OVERTONES.Season 2 Episode 6: How are you going to risk assess the work of sex workers? “Sometimes the legal structure is too good for it’s own good,” says Alan. When you operate with blurred lines in the structure of employment, you can be subject to full employment laws as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking and a worker can be eligible for compensation. “Its problematic when alcohol intake or other such behaviours are the norm and part of the workplace culture,” laments Trajce. Sara ponders on how the same legal frameworks and work d...
2023-06-1221 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E05: It's cougar timeWARNING: WORKPLACE AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE are mentioned. This episode has SEXUAL OVERTONES. Season 2 Episode 5: Alan annunciates 'C-o-u-g-a-r,' in honeyed tones. "Silicon chip inside her head" (not 'inside her hip'), Trajce finally realises the lyrics in Bob Geldof and the Boom Town Rat's song, but he laments that 'hip' would rhyme better with 'chip'! Traumas with psychosocial injuries are explored when aggression arises between two cougaresque workers (Or were they? The business argued that they were contractors - that was up for debate). Sara explores the idea of manual task risk management in all kinds of workplaces, even those...
2023-06-0538 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E03: What life is really like in sport and s-e-... Okay, just sport.WARNING: A FATALITY IS DISCUSSED.Season 2 Episode 3: What do you do when the sporting field or tennis court is your workplace? "Aggression and the will to fight is part of the game," says Sara. "We love our sport," says Alan. In football, a shoulder charge has caused a fatality. The athlete's condition was determined to be 'incompatible with life'. Tragic. Listen as Trajce presents the inquest. We learn about Trajce's brush with tennis stardom and his claim to two minutes of fame: being berated by John McEnroe.
2023-05-2219 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 E01: Nothing by coincidence: Serendipitous meetingsSeason 2 Episode 1 describes how the podcasters, Alan, Sara, and Trajce met. The crew discuss the vulnerabilities of the human experience through storytelling. Trajce reflects on his career love of music production, Sara talks about her yoga practice, and Alan reveals his interest in agriculture and his vintage tractor operations. During these reflections, the crew debate joy work (or ‘unwork-work’, as Sara calls her joy work) and ‘work-work’, the stuff that is burdensome and could be improved. The fundamentals of hazard versus risk and the implications of these terms are debated. Reflections are made on the adversarial systems in law. “In a civil...
2023-05-1519 min
WhyWork PodcastS02: Trailer 10: WhyWork Season 2: The agent provocateur: TRAILER 10"There are subtle ways of doing things," says Trajce. "You are an agent provocateur," he labels. Alan loves the label attributed to Sara, though she protests, ".... It is in the media!"... "Oh man, cut-cut-cut-cut," says Alan. This one might be a no-go. The crew struggle with containing their merriment when it comes to juggling the boundaries around discussions about the tough stuff.
2023-05-1001 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 Trailer 9: WhyWork Season 2: It all bubbles forth: TRAILER 9'You're almost not in the 'in crowd' unless you spit fire... ," explains Sara. When you are in the right setting, it all bubbles forth, and there are exclamations around what happens during field work. "Cut that one out," commands Alan. Trajce is struggling to envision it all and finds himself laughing during the clamour of explanations. Season 2 will take you to new places - watch out and listen in, there is more coming soon.
2023-05-0801 min
WhyWork PodcastS02: Trailer 8: WhyWork Season 2: Take us to the stars: TRAILER 8"Take us to the stars, Sara", says Alan. In Season 2, the WhyWork Podcasters, Sara, Trajce, and Alan, explore what it means to drift from expected social norms and how a 'new normal' can be established because we blend into the milieu of the times. That can be dangerous, "I'm not proud to admit it, but I'm going to tell you anyway," says Sara. Trajce braces for more trouble...
2023-05-0201 min
WhyWork PodcastS02 Trailer 7: WhyWork Season 2: He said, she said, 'WhaaaA..?' Mishaps and misspeaks: TRAILER 7WhyWork Season 2 Trailer 7: "In what situation would you say the other expression...?" asks Alan. What mishaps happen when you are nervous at work? Like during public speaking - even when presenting a conservative topic on police work and random breath testing. Learn more about this in The WhyWork Podcast.
2023-05-0101 min
WhyWork PodcastS01 E12: Why can’t we be friends?PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING AND DESIGN FOR DIVERSITYEpisode 12 challenges our cultural approaches to conflict. Our emotional experiences are our reality, and we are emotional beings. In workplace law, Alan reminds us that workers may not realise that they are triggering emotional responses among workmates. Sensory processing is yet another facet of understanding the reality of our experiences and if our routines are affected by the upheaval of a changing world of work, like through a pandemic, stressors can be magnified! We must design for sensational workplace experiences.
2023-04-2519 min
WhyWork PodcastS01 E11: I may not like you - but that's okayINTERPERSONAL CONFLICT AT WORKIn Episode 11, Trajce and Alan probe perceptions among workers and the impacts on workers in toxic workplaces. Camera footage tells one story but cannot reveal worker vulnerabilities and perceptions that arise when toxicity has eroded interpersonal relationships. Trajce and Alan unpack the conflicts that can occur at work, even interpersonal difficulties arising from judgment about mask-wearing during the pandemic! Sara asks about design for diversity and isolation if you do not feel included at work.For more discussion about occupational psychosocial injury, tune in to Episode 8 and Episode 12.
2023-04-1717 min
WhyWork PodcastWhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: It all gets a bit sudsy at holiday timeWhyNOT: A wisdom-shot, wicked-wisdom kernels of insight to prop good work design in your business! A take-away bonus soundbyte from Season 1 Episode 1: Bubbles of Trouble. Alan explains how it can all get a bit sudsy at holiday time and how to instill those workplace protections during these times.
2023-03-1800 min
WhyWork PodcastWhy can't we be friends?PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING AND DESIGN FOR DIVERSITYEpisode 12 challenges cultural approaches to conflict. The emotional experience is a reality, and we are emotional beings. In workplace law, Alan reminds us that workers might not realise that they are triggering emotional responses among workmates. Sensory processing is yet another facet of understanding the reality of our emotional experiences and if these routines are affected by the upheaval of a changing world of work, like a pandemic, stressors can be exaggerated! We must design for sensational workplace experiences.For more discussion about occupational psychosocial injury, tune in to...
2023-03-1419 min
WhyWork PodcastS01 E03: There are fleas all over itEpisode 3 examines the work-from-home phenomenon and the ambiguity around what is permissible for home luxuries and work requirements. “There are fleas all over it”, says Alan, when considering what to do with the dog at home, the boundaries of work and home life, and the freedoms coupled with the confusion during a changing world of work.
2023-02-2413 min
WhyWork PodcastS01 E01: Bubbles of troubleWHEN A WORKPLACE PARTY GETS A LITTLE SLIPPERY...Episode 1 invites listeners to consider what happens when a celebration like a Christmas party or social gathering goes seriously wrong. There can be blurred lines, drinking, nudity, giggles, and the assumptions that everyone in the team wants to party in the same way when that just might not be the case! Listen to what happens when your work party devolves and what might be done to protect against such circumstances. “She poured it on…”, says Alan. “It all got a little sudsy…”, says Sara, and “Let’s get this party started!”...
2023-02-2422 min