Interchange Bench Blog
HomeThis will be a thing. Face masks in the workplace.
I had never understood face mask wearing in public. To me, face masks indicated a cultural misunderstanding, a weird convention I couldn’t grasp. Were the wearers suggesting our pollution levels were up there with Shanghai’s, were we particularly foul mouthed, or were...
From little things… Easter, a time for renewal
It was while waiting to cross at the lights on Spring Street last week, standing (suitably) apart from a couple on my walk home, when I overheard one say, “Things will really get bad when Bunnings closes.” I wanted to step closer and join that conversation. Unable to,...
Perspective on pandemic panic requires hope and resilience
Yes, we indeed live in unprecedented times – but haven’t there always been unprecedented times in human history? There is no room for corona complacency during this current medical and economic crisis. Yet, in spite of cancelled travel, cancelled conferences and...
A playlist just for us, right now!
It’s 11.30am and you’ve checked your news feed one too many times this morning already. We feel your pain, away from work, under financial duress, trying to work out HR and OHS logistics around #WFH (working from home), realising perhaps there is a limit to how much...
WFH!? How to beat the bogeys on working from home…
For those of us who haven’t been regularly working from home (WFH) until now, the prospect can be a bit daunting. Whilst the nature of my job means I’m fortunate to be able to work effectively in a digital environment, I also like a bit of separation between my living...
IWD 2020: Do we still really need workplace gender equality?
This International Women’s Day, Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is challenging the idea that workplaces no longer need to address gender equality. Drawing from academic and industry research, DCA has released an infographic highlighting some examples...
Driving into the line of (ex) fires
We’re going direct! Inspired by initiatives such as Empty Esky and Beers for Bushfire Relief, Slade Group’s bushfire response is to help the businesses and people directly hit by the loss of property and commerce. We’ve made available our two company...
MMXIX (that’s 2019, or Mixed Media and I with two kisses)
Let’s talk about being a Graduate student in the 21st century. Finally getting that piece of paper – saying you’ve completed a degree! It’s exciting, a huge sense of relief, finally all your hard work has paid off. Then it dawns on you and the flush off questions...
What are the myths (and facts) on ageing and work?
The Australian population is ageing. This has led to a lot of public policy and debate around the need to reduce welfare costs and respond to projected shortfalls in labour as older workers retire in large numbers. Prolonging the working life in an inclusive way, and...
How the wrong job can affect your mental health – 7 signs to look out for
As the tally of seemingly meaningless statistics scrolled above my head, the reason we were all there became less clear, yet somehow it all made sense to someone crunching the numbers for management. If you’ve ever worked in a call centre, you’d understand that call...
Young people entering the workforce
The Boardroom Podcast in conversation with Anita Ziemer, Managing Director of Slade Group, about young people entering the workforce and the future of industries with the presence of automation. The Boardroom Podcast is a series of engaging podcasts discussing the...
Bench and the City
A Working Holiday Visa doesn’t have to mean charity mugging other professionals on Collins Street. It can literally turn your world upside down (if you’re from the northern hemisphere, like me). Currently residing in Melbourne – one of the top destinations for Brits...