Latest news with #Aussie
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Quiet crisis' playing out across Australian workplaces right now
A 'quiet crisis' is emerging across Australia as the world enters a new workforce era, with leaders warned that being unwilling to adapt could have serious consequences in the near future. The way we work has transformed dramatically in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing people to adapt to new ways of working. Even though we are no longer in the thick of lockdowns and social distancing, the changes that occurred to workplaces during that period don't look like they are going away any time soon. For a lot of office-based employees, hybrid or remote work has become the norm and, despite a recent rise in company's issuing return to office mandates, Aussie workers won't give up their new-found flexibility easily. A new report from payroll and HR company, Deel, explores how workers are responding to shifting workplace conditions, including AI disruption, cost of living pressures, how they are being paid and the benefits they are receiving. More than 1000 full-time Australian office workers were surveyed as part of the 2025 Deel Australia Payday Expectations Report, revealing a widening gap between what employees want and what their employers are willing to give. Shannon Karaka, Deel's Country Leader for Australia, said one of the big things that was made clear in the report is that Aussie workers want more control, particularly when it comes to their pay. 'This report reveals a quiet crisis unfolding in workplaces, and the urgency for businesses to evolve – from modernising payroll to supporting financial resilience,' he said. 'Today's employees expect the same level of customisation and speed from their workplace benefits as they do from their favourite apps. 'We're seeing a growing demand for payroll to be a financial service, one that empowers employees with real-time access, flexibility, and greater control over their earnings.' Of those surveyed, 38 per cent said they want to be paid sooner than they currently are, this rises to 50 per cent among those struggling financially and 55 per cent for households earning under $50,000 a year. But it isn't just when they are being paid that they want more say on, it is also how they are being paid. Three in five said they would considered receiving part of their salary in non-traditional forms, such as stocks, shares or equity. Gen Z were most likely to consider alternative forms of payment, along with being the most likely age group to consider receiving cryptocurrency as part of their salary. The vast majority of those surveyed said they would want the option of customising their pay and benefits package, with 64 per cent saying they would trade paid leave benefits for a higher salary. Despite this, it is clear work-life balance is also a high priority, with two thirds of respondents ranking either flexible working hours or remote work options among their most important benefits in a job. One in four revealed they would also take lower pay in exchange for more flexibility. A whopping 78 per cent said they were willing to give up perks like gym access, free meals or company events for more flexible working conditions. Gen Z are also leading the charge in this area, with 90 per cent of respondents in this age group saying they would trade traditional benefits for more flexibility, compared to just 51 per cent of Baby Boomers. The results make it clear there is a growing disconnect between what is being offered and what workers actually want. Speaking to Mr Karaka that if this gap around compensation, benefits and flexibility continues to widen, we are going to see 'serious consequences across Australian workplaces'. He said companies that don't adapt to these changes will be 'left behind'. 'Retention will drop, engagement will suffer, and top talent – especially among younger generations – will walk away in favour of more progressive, flexible employers,' Mr Karaka said. 'The best thing employers can do right now is listen, and then act. The data is clear: employees want more flexibility, transparency, and control over how and when they're paid.' For those businesses that are willing to listen to employees and adapt accordingly, Mr Karaka suggested the first step is to modernise payroll systems. This could look like offering features such a s real-time pay, customisable benefits and financial wellness tools. However, he noted that none of these changes can happen without 'rebuilding trust', but ensuring there is always available to resolve issues and being transparent about how salaries and bonuses are calculated. 'This is about meeting employees where they are. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, expect their workplace experience to match the speed and personalisation of the apps they use every day,' he said. 'Employers who embrace this shift won't just keep up, they'll lead.'
West Australian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Josh Hazlewood destroys West Indies as Australia win first Test in Bridgetown
Australian quick Josh Hazlewood has ripped through the West Indies' batting line-up to set up a 1-0 lead in the Frank Worrell Trophy series . It was a day of pure dominance from the Aussies with Hazlewood leading the way in Bridgetown and unlucky not to have more wickets. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hazlewood fires Aussies to West Indies wipeout. Hazlewood finished the day with five wickets but a dropped catch by Sam Konstas late in the day robbed him of a sixth. At one stage he took 4-4 in a blistering three-over period. Even dumped veteran Marnus Labuschagne got in on the action, with a superb direct hit — while he was on the ground as a substitute fielder — to inflict the run-out of Alzarri Joseph for a duck. Nathan Lyon chipped in late with two wickets from two balls to close out the innings with Australia winning by 159 runs. Hazlewood finished the day with the figures of 5-43, while Lyon mopped up the tail with 2-20. After the match, Hazlewood — who completed his 13th Test 'five-fer' when Jomel Warrican (3) edged to Carey the ball after surviving an lbw review — was able to have a laugh. 'I didn't think it was going to happen that fast,' he said. Australia dominated on Friday (Saturday morning AEDT), turning the match on its head after a hotly contested first two days. The Windies were thwarted by a collapse of 6-26 in pursuit of the unlikely 301 they needed for victory. Shamar Joseph offered some resistance, cracking 44 runs off 22 balls — including four sixes — in a furious cameo at No.10, but otherwise it was a dim day for the hosts.. Former Aussie star Greg Blewett had nothing but praise for Australia's famed bowling line-up. 'They are playing good as always. It's like a broken record these days watching the Australian bowling attack,' he said in commentary. 'They're so experienced and so clinical. 'They also share it around really well. This time it's Josh Hazlewood. Good figures.' Earlier, Australia set the West Indies a target of 301 after Travis Head led the morning fightback with his second half-century of the Test. Beau Webster and Alex Carey then built on his good work to push Australia into the ascendancy. Having resumed on Day 3 on a perilous-looking 4-92, and a lead of just 82, the tourists dug deep to put themselves in a strong position. Head made 61 before falling to a straight one from Shamar Joseph that kept low and thundered into his pads. There was no doubting that and Head departed with a rueful smile without considering a review. Despite a reputation built on aggressive batting, here he went about his work with great patience, testament to his quality and character. Head had earlier had a moment of good fortune when dropped at second slip by Justin Greaves when on 21. He took full advantage of that reprieve to put on a crucial 102-run partnership with Webster That was Australia's only loss before lunch and with Webster going on to make 63 and Carey adding 65, the visitors piled on the frustration for the home attack. Webster fell to an unfortunate tickle down the leg side as Shamar Joseph picked up his third wicket. Carey, displaying some exciting stroke-making, fell when trying a shot over cover from Roston Chase, the West Indies captain, and was caught in the deep by Greaves. When Hazlewood, at No.11, swung at one outside the off-stump and got a massive edge, the ball fizzed back on to the stumps and Australia were finally all out for 310. The tourists are now likely to regain the injured Steve Smith for the second Test that begins in Grenada next week after his absence was glaring on a tough batting deck earlier in the match. - With AAP
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Dumped veteran joins rampage as Aussies destroy West Indies
Australian quick Josh Hazlewood has ripped through the West Indies' batting line-up to set up a 1-0 lead in the Frank Worrell Trophy series. It was a day of pure dominance from the Aussies with Hazlewood leading the way in Bridgetown and unlucky not to have more wickets. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hazlewood fires Aussies to West Indies wipeout. Hazlewood finished the day with five wickets but a dropped catch by Sam Konstas late in the day robbed him of a sixth. At one stage he took 4-4 in a blistering three-over period. Even dumped veteran Marnus Labuschagne got in on the action, with a superb direct hit — while he was on the ground as a substitute fielder — to inflict the run-out of Alzarri Joseph for a duck. Josh Hazlewood celebrates his five-wicket haul at Bridgetown. Credit: AAP Nathan Lyon chipped in late with two wickets from two balls to close out the innings with Australia winning by 159 runs. Hazlewood finished the day with the figures of 5-43, while Lyon mopped up the tail with 2-20. After the match, Hazlewood — who completed his 13th Test 'five-fer' when Jomel Warrican (3) edged to Carey the ball after surviving an lbw review — was able to have a laugh. 'I didn't think it was going to happen that fast,' he said. Australia dominated on Friday (Saturday morning AEDT), turning the match on its head after a hotly contested first two days. The Windies were thwarted by a collapse of 6-26 in pursuit of the unlikely 301 they needed for victory. Shamar Joseph offered some resistance, cracking 44 runs off 22 balls — including four sixes — in a furious cameo at No.10, but otherwise it was a dim day for the hosts.. Former Aussie star Greg Blewett had nothing but praise for Australia's famed bowling line-up. Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after defeating the West Indies on Day 3. Credit: AAP 'They are playing good as always. It's like a broken record these days watching the Australian bowling attack,' he said in commentary. 'They're so experienced and so clinical. 'They also share it around really well. This time it's Josh Hazlewood. Good figures.' Earlier, Australia set the West Indies a target of 301 after Travis Head led the morning fightback with his second half-century of the Test. Beau Webster and Alex Carey then built on his good work to push Australia into the ascendancy. Having resumed on Day 3 on a perilous-looking 4-92, and a lead of just 82, the tourists dug deep to put themselves in a strong position. Head made 61 before falling to a straight one from Shamar Joseph that kept low and thundered into his pads. There was no doubting that and Head departed with a rueful smile without considering a review. Despite a reputation built on aggressive batting, here he went about his work with great patience, testament to his quality and character. Head had earlier had a moment of good fortune when dropped at second slip by Justin Greaves when on 21. He took full advantage of that reprieve to put on a crucial 102-run partnership with Webster That was Australia's only loss before lunch and with Webster going on to make 63 and Carey adding 65, the visitors piled on the frustration for the home attack. Webster fell to an unfortunate tickle down the leg side as Shamar Joseph picked up his third wicket. Carey, displaying some exciting stroke-making, fell when trying a shot over cover from Roston Chase, the West Indies captain, and was caught in the deep by Greaves. When Hazlewood, at No.11, swung at one outside the off-stump and got a massive edge, the ball fizzed back on to the stumps and Australia were finally all out for 310. The tourists are now likely to regain the injured Steve Smith for the second Test that begins in Grenada next week after his absence was glaring on a tough batting deck earlier in the match. - With AAP
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Islam Makhachev admits improved Jack Della Maddalena is 'going to be a hard fight'
Islam Makhachev not taking UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena lightly. Standing in Makhachev's pursuit of a second UFC belt is Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who outstruck Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315 last month. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) acknowledges the Aussie has shown vast improvements in his game. Advertisement "It's going to be a hard fight. Honestly, it's going to be," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "I saw his fight against Belal. He's good, man. When he began fighting in the UFC, he had problems with wrestling, but now he's improved because I've seen him training a lot with wrestlers and grapplers, and that's why he's champion right now. He's good everywhere. But we will see who's the best fighter in the world very soon." Makhachev was surprised to see Della Maddalena dethrone Muhammad, who he's trained with before on numerous occasions. He was also confused by Muhammad's game plan. "It was crazy," Makhachev said. "I know Belal well. I was training with him many times, and I know his skills. I was surprised how he fought. I was surprised by his fight plan. I think he did mistakes. He had the option, but he didn't use (it). He started to wrestle in the last round, maybe. "You have to wrestle from the first round if you have plan to wrestle because you can make him tired – you're not sweating. I saw: Maddalena has improved a lot because he has really good boxing, and he knows everybody is going to try to take him down, and now he has good defense." Advertisement Many viewed Makhachev as a big lightweight, but the move up to welterweight hasn't been as seamless as expected. "I will try to be big, but it's not easy," Makhachev said. "All my life, I've been cutting weight, but now when I want to be big, my weight stays in the same position. I try to lift more. We do some program and slowly, slowly we bring maybe two kilograms now. It's very hard, but I don't want to be big by eating and not training. I want to be with muscles. I want to train, do right lifting program, and bring some muscles." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev: Jack Della Maddalena is 'going to be a hard fight'
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Islam Makhachev admits improved Jack Della Maddalena is 'going to be a hard fight'
Islam Makhachev not taking UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena lightly. Standing in Makhachev's pursuit of a second UFC belt is Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who outstruck Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315 last month. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) acknowledges the Aussie has shown vast improvements in his game. "It's going to be a hard fight. Honestly, it's going to be," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "I saw his fight against Belal. He's good, man. When he began fighting in the UFC, he had problems with wrestling, but now he's improved because I've seen him training a lot with wrestlers and grapplers, and that's why he's champion right now. He's good everywhere. But we will see who's the best fighter in the world very soon." Makhachev was surprised to see Della Maddalena dethrone Muhammad, who he's trained with before on numerous occasions. He was also confused by Muhammad's game plan. "It was crazy," Makhachev said. "I know Belal well. I was training with him many times, and I know his skills. I was surprised how he fought. I was surprised by his fight plan. I think he did mistakes. He had the option, but he didn't use (it). He started to wrestle in the last round, maybe. "You have to wrestle from the first round if you have plan to wrestle because you can make him tired – you're not sweating. I saw: Maddalena has improved a lot because he has really good boxing, and he knows everybody is going to try to take him down, and now he has good defense." Many viewed Makhachev as a big lightweight, but the move up to welterweight hasn't been as seamless as expected. "I will try to be big, but it's not easy," Makhachev said. "All my life, I've been cutting weight, but now when I want to be big, my weight stays in the same position. I try to lift more. We do some program and slowly, slowly we bring maybe two kilograms now. It's very hard, but I don't want to be big by eating and not training. I want to be with muscles. I want to train, do right lifting program, and bring some muscles."
