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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 … Read more

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 … Read more

In this special WhyM’scal Mash re-mix episode with @Alan Girle, @Trajce Cvetkovski, and @Sara Pazell, 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 … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

The team revel in debate about the new Queensland state and Commonwealth government literature on psychosocial risk management. Sara is relieved to see updates to regulations on psychosocial risks (Work Health and Safety [Psychosocial Risks] Amendment Regulation 2022) because of their focus on work design.  Trajce explains aspects of The Commonwealth Code of Practice: Managing … Read more

Pets 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 … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses workplace sexual harassement – we advise listener discretion. Alan introduces the case, Gilmore versus Blue Care, a community home care provider. In this event, 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 … Read more

This episode starts with Sara reflecting on the nature of her spirit animal and the symbols of her brand identity: a mix of frivolity and banditry. For more on spirit animals, tune in to S02 E14: Spirit Animals. Trajce introduces a case on an injured worker who submitted a claim against her national grocer chain … Read more

“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, … Read more

WARNING: 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 … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses voth a human rights and a fatal incident – we advise listener discretion. Alan shares a human rights case on Tickle versus Giggle for Girls, an alleged case of discrimination from joining a ‘club’ via service App based on gender identity. “This is squarely political,” says Trajce, “each party has a … Read more

This episode extends the discussion from Season 07 Episode 02 on workplace incentives to combat the ‘ball and chain’ obligations. 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 … Read more

Alan and Trajce poke the bear of workplace diplomacy with examples from politics. Alan shares 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 apologetic attempts to cover their … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

WARNING:  This episode includes discussion on a fatality – listener discretion is advised. Thank you to subscriber, Grace Kennedy, for suggesting this topic. Grace described her experience in the airport arrivals lounge when passengers headed down an escalator to collect their luggage. The passenger congestion was significant, causing a pile up so severe that this … Read more

WARNING: This episode includes refences to both sex and suicide – listener discretion advised. Trajce presents a judgement from the United Kingdom involving a lawyer hiring a law student as his legal secretary. The confronting aspect of this scenario? They first met in a strip club where she worked as a stripper to fund her … Read more

WARNING: This episode contains sexual inferences – 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 people’s sensibilities offended by ads like this. Alan responds, “There will not be many situations in a workplace when you would contemplate showing … Read more

Season 06 Episode 12: It’s giong SWM’ingly The 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 … Read more

Let’s talk about…. sex as a primal survival urge. The WhyWork Podcast reflect on their debate about the Australian Tradie’s underwear ads discussed in Season 05 Episode 04. Sara makes a joke about performance drivers much to the chagrin of the boys, when Trajce quotes a Talking Heads lyric, “We’re on the road to nowhere…” … Read more

WARNING:  This episode discusess a workplace fatality – 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 … Read more

Trajce 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 … Read more

Alan shares an industrial safety law case involving the disrepair of a gate, which prompts Trajce to reflect on his early-career prosecution of an industrial gate failure, leading to the news headline, “Fallen gate crushes mum.” The team remark on the feasibility and severity of these events deserving serious assessment, challenging the reliance on probabilistic … Read more

Trajce provokes conversation on the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) Bill 2023 among the team again. Sara asks, “Why did we throw legislation at this? I want to know – how did they develop their problem statements? Is this legislation really hitting the mark? Are there system designs to protect workers versus needing to rely … Read more

WARNING: 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 … Read more

Sara 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. … Read more

Trajce and Sara compliment Alan’s dress sense – smooth, Italian, Mafioso, modelled after a Kappa soccer sports brand , while Sara reflects on her ‘rugby mum’ look for the day. Trajce teases Sara with her unlaced shoes in contemporary gangsta-fashion, primed for larceny. Alan teases Sara about her ‘cross-dressing’ until she clarifies that her look is … Read more

Warning: This episode discusses road safety 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. Sara pontificates on a cycle of challenging study pathways that led to opportunities to engage in complex work requiring more of her study and … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses 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 Trajce Alan is entertained by Sara’s social media post about universal design and toileting facilities. The boys debate their approach to this common apparatus. “It raises many … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses workplace fatalities and complex injuries Season 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 … Read more

Season 05 Bonus Episode 14 Risk 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 … Read more

“We’ve got vibration, we’ve got noise, we’re getting jiggly here,” chimes Trajce. Trajce is on a roll, he can’t help himself, he continues with another song, “I see red, I see red, I see red,” he pipes. Sara describes the X, Y, Z axes of vibration measures. She tells a story about how she’s been attributed … Read more

WARNING – 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 … Read more

To 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 … Read more

WARNING: 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 … Read more

WARNING: 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 … Read more

Trajce raises 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

WARNING: Suicide and sex are mentioned in this episode. 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 … Read more

Sara 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 … Read more

“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 … Read more

“I have injury statistics on teachers,” invites Sara, “Tell me how is it that they are struck by flying objects? Hit by projectiles!” That question leads to confessions by the boys as they recall their school days. Sara remembers her Italian language teacher who used to throw chalk at students. “It’s the reverse now!” exclaims … Read more

Season 05 Episode 01: Citizen Control. “Consultation – meh! Peh!” complains Sara, with disdain. “There is a lot of corporate hazing and gaslighting,” reflects Trajce. This episode was prompted by the presentation by Dr Elise Crawford of Central Queensland University. Elise spoke on her research of worker particpation in their work design during the Human … Read more

The team 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 now that the … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses workplace injury “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 … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses fatalities Alan reflects on the prosecutions and pending coronial inquest on the fatalities of the six Tasmanian children with three more children injured 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

CAUTION: This episode speaks on near miss harm of a child. This episode speaks on 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 … Read more

WARNING: This episode shares a story on workplace sexual harassement – listener discretion is advised. Season 04 Episode 08: 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 work to advocate for the provision of personal protective equipment … Read more

Season 04 Episode 07: This episode stemmed from conversations with Dylan Matthews of the BHP FutureFit Academy on the seemingly innocent and instructive applications of the Hierarchy of Controls (HOC) in safety management: elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (ESIEAP – ‘Every Sunday I Eat A Pie’). Trajce is fired up … Read more

WARNING: A fatality and suicide are discussed in this episode. “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’ … Read more

WARNING: Suicide is mentioned in this episode Trajce introduces the idea of psychosocial factors causing work-related mental health disorders and psychological injury claims in a case in Victoria that led to the regulator’s prosecution of the workplace. Alan reminds us that in this case the worker committed suicide, and even though this was not found … Read more

“It’s time to put the lid on dust,” Trajce advocates. Engineered stone, silica exposures, this has all been in the media of late. The trio, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss who is vulnerable to these exposures and why, and what are the most pervasive causes. Trajce argues that the regulators must not demonise one hazard … Read more

Sara provokes thought on rites of passage by asking, “What are we holding on to in work and education simply because of a social construct established by a rite of passage?” and, “Are the rites of passage of old still useful now?” Sara challenges the notion of adhering to rites of passage versus embracing transformative, … Read more

Sara speaks about a WooFA (WFA) experience while walking her dog mid-work break when a bulldog muscled its way up a drive and launched into an attack on her dog. The boys, Alan and Trajce, discuss employer liabilities, and Sara reminds the boys that businesses like Joanna Clough’s, “The Dog Safe Workplace”, were established to … Read more

“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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

WARNING: confronting content is discussed in this episode. “The triad of power, knowledge, and truth espoused by a politician, medical specialist, or famous person reflects a privileged position,” explains Trajce, “and it is most alarming when these people leverage these attributes to achieve their nefarious deeds.” He explains his angst that the 1943 ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

Season 03 Episode 03 Reflects on Alan, Sara, and Trajce’s 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 … Read more

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 … Read more

“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 … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

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’) … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

Season 2 Episode 10: The Matryoshka dolls keep opening. The podcast explores the ugly realities of the yoga guru fat shamer, the exposures when people subject themselves to reality TV, and more blurred lines when it comes to acceptable social boundaries. ‘Don’t push the envelope, don’t say it,” warns Trajce. ‘But if you say the … Read more

Season 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 … Read more

Season 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),” … Read more

WARNING: This episode contains confronting material. Season 02 Episode 07 explores work travel antics and the mishaps that can occur when an employer expects workers to share a room. Sleep disorders are mentioned, though alcohol is a prevailing theme in this story of mishap. Sara reminds Trajce and Alan about an old state government jingle, … Read more

WARNING: This episode discusses work venues that commercialise sex as their trade. There are sexual overtones in the discussions.  Season 02 Episode 06: 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 … Read more

WARNING:  This episode discusses work venues that commercialise sex as their trade. Season 02 Episode 05: Alan annunciates ‘c-o-u-g-a-r’ in honeyed tones…“Silicon chip inside her head” (not inside her hip!) – the lyrics – Trajce finally realises the lyrics in Bob Geldof and the Boom Town Rat’s song, but laments that ‘hip’ would rhyme better … Read more

Season 02 Episode 04: The crew discuss the work-from-anywhere phenomenon in sport when the enforcement of work health safety regulations is a reluctant approach and we (society) want the fight of sport to occur on the field. “This is food for thought”, says Trajce, “criminal law (sanctions) can still apply to illegal acts occurring on … Read more