Thursday 13 November | 8:30am – 5:30pm
8:30am
ARRIVAL AND NETWORKING
9:00am
9:25am
OPENING KEYNOTE
From overload to action: Navigating the future of work that's already here
The future of work isn’t just on the horizon, it’s already here, unfolding in real time. HR leaders must navigate a complex labour market where skill shortages collide with under‑employment, and workforce health determines who can work. Meanwhile, AI and other “little tech” (workforce‑management technologies) are quietly reshaping workplace dynamics faster than policy can keep pace. These aren’t distant trends; they’re part of what Reanna calls the “adjacent present”—subtle yet profound shifts already underway.
The real challenge is not merely recognising these changes but responding effectively. In this session, Reanna will help HR leaders decode these hidden shifts, uncover the patterns they shape, and move from insight to action. Rather than adding to an already full plate, she will show you how to unlearn outdated assumptions, rethink change, and make small yet powerful Monday‑morning moves to create the future(s) of work we actually want to inhabit.
10:15am
MORNING TEA, EXPO, NETWORKING
10:45am
SESSION 2
Job crafting: The way to increased engagement, satisfaction, and wellbeing
A core challenge facing Australian businesses is addressing high-levels of burnout, persistent mental ill-health and declining levels of work engagement – all within the context of evolving psychosocial safety requirements. Research shows that Job Crafting — a trainable and evidence-based skill — can reduce stress, ease job strain, and boost wellbeing by helping people shape their roles to enhance motivation and engagement.
In this session, Fleur will introduce the Job Crafting framework and provide examples of how Australian organisations are applying it. with strategies and tips for how to implement it in your organisation. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the framework, plus practical strategies and tips for how to implement it in your organisation.
11:30am
FACILITATED NETWORKING
11:40am
SESSION 3
Coaching with AI: Keeping humanity at the heart of HR
AI is rewriting the rulebook on work, but the real game-changer for HR isn’t faster processes — it’s how we use AI to elevate human leadership.
This session explores AI as a coaching sidekick: helping leaders prepare for crucial conversations, sharpen their questions, and reframe feedback in ways that build trust. Through practical examples and discussion, you’ll see how AI can enhance — not replace — the human connection. We’ll cut through the hype and focus on how HR professionals can guide their organisations to adopt AI responsibly, embedding empathy, psychological safety, and ethical practice at the core. You’ll walk away with practical ideas you can apply straight away.
12:40pm
LUNCH, EXPO, NETWORKING
1:30pm
SESSION 4
Beyond the org chart: Why organisational design is HR’s most critical capability
When we hear “Organisational Design,” we often think of org charts, boxes, and reporting lines — but true organisational design goes much deeper. In today’s fast-changing environment, HR leaders must move beyond reactive restructuring and develop the capability to design agile, high-performing organisations.
This engaging and thought-provoking session will explore:
- What organisational design really is (and why it’s not just about structure)
- The role of HR in shaping business performance through strategic design
- How to navigate layoffs and restructures in a way that strengthens the organisation
- Why traditional restructuring methods fail—and what to do instead
- How HR can elevate its influence by mastering organisational design.
Drawing on real-world case studies and insights from over 300 restructures, Dr. Beatrice Hofmeyr will show how HR professionals can move from reactive support roles to strategic partners who drive sustainable, systemic change. This session is for those looking to build capability in organisational design, influence major business decisions, and lead their organisations through change — without the chaos of constant restructuring.
2:15pm
FACILITATED NETWORKING
2:25pm
SESSION 5
Is your workplace ready for prescribed cannabis?
As medicinal cannabis use becomes more common, so do the legal risks for employers. With no clear measure of impairment and significant policy gaps, many organisations find themselves exposed in a legal grey zone.
This session will examine recent cases where organisations faced claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and flawed drug testing protocols. We’ll explore practical steps to updating workplace policies, conducting fair assessments, and responding to disclosures without breaching anti-discrimination laws. Walk away with the tools and confidence to navigate employee medicinal cannabis use in your workplace.
3:10pm
AFTERNOON TEA, EXPO, NETWORKING
3:35pm
SESSION 6
Are you more WEIRD than you think? Challenging blinds spots in leadership.
In an era defined by rapid transformation, global complexity, and evolving workforce expectations, HR leaders are at the forefront of designing inclusive, agile, and high-performing organisations. But what if the very foundations of how we define and develop leadership are unconsciously biased — shaped by WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) assumptions?
This provocative session invites HR professionals to reflect on how leadership models, assessment tools, and succession strategies may unintentionally privilege certain behaviours and worldviews, while excluding others. By challenging these often-invisible blind spots, HR can play a critical role in unlocking more culturally responsive, psychologically safe, and future-fit leadership.
The session will connect with other key themes explored at the conference — including The Future of Work, Psychological Safety, and Transforming the Org Chart for Agility and Performance — and offer a compelling case for why unexamined WEIRDness in leadership can undermine efforts to build adaptable, inclusive workplaces.
4:20pm
CLOSING COMMENTS
4:30pm
NETWORKING FUNCTION
Wrap up the day with great conversations, meaningful connections, and connect with changemakers shaping the future of HR in a vibrant networking atmosphere