Facing a crisis is not only a challenge, it’s a learning experience, a chance to get better and not repeat past mistakes, says Neville Aitchison. It’s a two-step process and you need to take both steps to ensure, in the words of Jackson Browne, “the dance becomes your very own”.

Career transitioning—don’t you love the phrase? It implies non-threatening support as you move from one career to the next. The reality, says Terry Williams, can be more like a Tarantino film: no transition, just full-on drama.

It’s been an award-winning year for Fletcher Building’s general manager of organisational development Jo Nicol. Topping an impressive list of achievements, she was named HR Person of the Year at the recent HRINZ Awards. Raewyn Court talks to her about the organisational renovations she has led.

A significant proportion of New Zealand businesses are investing in the health needs of their employees. But are these initiatives really addressing the areas of greatest need, asks Vicki Caisley.

Figures from the latest New Zealand Diversity Survey show wellbeing/wellness and work-life balance are key challenges for our organisations. Bev Cassidy-Mackenzie asks are we really taking care of our greatest asset?

Even when organisational strategies and policies are designed to support wellbeing, the work environment and leadership practices can act as a hindrance. Anouk Kelling examines the role that leaders play in increasing organisational wellbeing.

Preparation is the key to any well run change programme, says Martin Fenwick. He explores three cornerstones of change and explains how to make them propel you forward, not trip you up.

Anthony Drake explores the issue of workplace harassment and explains what employers and employees can do to ensure it is dealt with appropriately.

A key driver of employee engagement comes from the level of confidence the workforce has in its senior leadership, says Leighton Abbot. He explores the role of leadership in the local government sector’s story of change.

The workplace of the future is only limited by our own creativity, says Laura Owen. She takes a look at how collaboration-based technologies are transforming HR and the way we do business.

Anyone considering a personal grievance following redundancy should consider the remedies available. To be financially viable, warns Bridget Smith, they will have to pursue a substantial lost wages payment.

The workforce is ageing as life expectancy increases and people have fewer children. Business needs to be proactive and plan for this changing dynamic, says Celeste Krijnauw. Are you prepared?

Paramedics and 111 call takers are under such daily stress that after a couple of years they can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Kristin Murray describes how Wellington Free Ambulance revamped its wellbeing programme by asking its staff, unifying its activities, and putting special focus on peer support.

The importance of being an employer who continuously engages with employees is illustrated in the case of a relieving teacher who alleged he had been constructively dismissed. Paul Robertson reports that the school was able to show that despite changing its position, its open dialogue was sufficient for the case to fail.