Tom McAtee is a veteran HR strategist with a remarkable 50 years of experience transforming workplaces and lives. His journey has taken him from the factory floor to the executive suite, giving him a unique perspective on what makes organisations and people thrive.
Specialising in unionised environments, particularly in heavy industry, Tom has a knack for turning even the most challenging industrial relations into high-performing partnerships. He’s the guy you call when you need to navigate the complex web of employee relations, remuneration, and organisational change – and come out the other side with a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Over five decades, Tom has honed his expertise across multiple industries and regions, from the red dirt of the Australian outback to the bustling cities of Asia. He’s seen it all – the good, the bad, and the downright bureaucratic – and has emerged with a wealth of wisdom and a crisp sense of humour.
But what really sets Tom apart is his ability to connect with people at all levels of an organisation. He’s as comfortable chatting with a forklift driver as he is presenting to a board of directors. His secret? A genuine curiosity about what makes people tick, and a deep respect for the human stories behind every job title.
Whether he’s untangling a thorny industrial dispute or crafting a game-changing HR strategy, Tom brings a rare blend of technical mastery and human insight to every challenge. His writing reflects this approach, combining practical advice with compelling anecdotes and a generous dash of wit.
So if you’re looking for HR wisdom that’s as grounded as it is inspiring, pull up a chair and join Tom on his reflections from a life spent making workplaces more productive and more human. Trust us – after 50 years in the trenches, he’s got some stories to tell.
In workplaces, what appears as ‘miscommunication’ often arises from hidden rules—unspoken assumptions that shape interactions. By surfacing these deeper influences through patient inquiry and active listening, leaders transform conflict into productive dialogue. When everyone shares the same map o…
Recruitment mistakes can lead to costly hires. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of smarter hiring with the CFM model: Competence, Fit, and Motivation. Avoid the three common pitfalls—settling for sub-par candidates, failing to re-advertise, and mistaking competitors for ideal hires. Rem…
Industrial relations isn’t just about legislation—it’s about navigating human relationships through change. From managing Drayton’s 1997 restructure to building Yancoal’s workforce and creating CleanCo’s unified culture, the key has been balancing technical excellence with human understanding. Aft…
From filing cabinets and typewriters in 1974 to today’s digital workplaces, Australian industrial relations has undergone a remarkable transformation. Through roles at Education Queensland, MIM Holdings, CIG Gases, and into the coal industry, I’ve witnessed the evolution from rigid centralised syste…
From a fresh graduate with a calculator in 1974 to mentoring tomorrow’s leaders today – what a journey through HR’s evolution! We’ve moved from shuffling papers to shaping futures, from typewriters to AI, from adversarial battles to collaborative partnerships. But one thing hasn’t changed: at its he…
Data tells us everything… except when it doesn’t. From boardrooms in Oman to mines in Australia, I’ve learned that future success needs both high tech and high touch. Modern HR isn’t about choosing between data and human connection – it’s about mastering both. The sweet spot? That’s where the magi…
Try building a plane while flying it – that’s what creating CleanCo’s HR function felt like. Starting from scratch in a high-risk, heavily unionised environment, we needed everything from basic policies to complex union agreements, all while keeping the lights on. Sometimes the best way forward is t…
Watch Australian mining evolve: from 8-hour shifts in company towns to 12-hour FIFO rosters in modern camps. We transformed not just how people worked, but how they lived. From local pubs being community hubs to air-conditioned control rooms running digital operations – it’s still about people makin…
Two phones sat on my desk – one for lawyers, one for building an employment centre. With coal prices halved overnight and 220 jobs at stake, I asked the unions, “Which call should I make?” While other mines faced 16-week strikes, we chose collaboration over confrontation. Sometimes your biggest cris…
Picture this: 1981, walking into Copper Refineries, a subsidiary of then MIM Holdings – Australia’s largest company – to find HR still running on foolscap ledger cards. As the only degree-qualified HR person, my job was dragging us into modern times. These days, you’re not a rock star without Workda…
From recommending microfiche systems for the State Library to analysing processes in the Homicide Squad – talk about a career curve! With Tom Tolhurst’s mentorship and a Governor’s Warrant in my hand as a Public Service Inspector, I learned about power and influence. My rapid rise even led to changi…
One evening at Perry Park changed everything. A chance meeting, a few handshakes, and suddenly my career took an unexpected turn. From a quick chat with Roly Livingstone to meeting Ted Love, then Leo Pitt and Ken Shea – three months later, I’d left Education for the Public Service Board. Sometimes t…
Imagine the irony: a former school rebel who’d been twice asked to leave for questioning authority, now working in the most hierarchical place imaginable – the Education Department’s Personnel Section. No computers, just old wooden desks and endless paperwork. That building’s now the Treasury Casino…
Picture Australia, 2005. John Howard’s government had just won control of both houses, and everything we knew about workplace relations was about to change. WorkChoices wasn’t just another law—it was a revolution that divided the nation. Some saw it as the dawn of workplace flexibility; others vie…
Remember when HR just meant paperwork and policies? Those days are gone. Today’s HR is where human potential meets digital innovation, where AI helps us predict workforce needs while emotional intelligence drives real connections. We’re not just managing people anymore—we’re orchestrating the futu…
Remember 2009? As Australia shook off the GFC, something revolutionary happened in our workplaces. The Fair Work Act arrived, bringing a fresh approach to workplace relations. Gone were the complex rules of old, replaced by clear standards everyone could understand. It wasn’t just new laws—it was …
The Workplace Relations Act 1996 wasn’t just another law—it was the catalyst that transformed Australian workplaces forever. Gone were the days of phone book-sized awards and rigid rules about tea breaks. Instead, we entered an era where employers and employees could have real conversations about …
Imagine Australian workplaces where your pay was set by a distant tribunal, down to the last detail—even what you’d earn for working in the rain. Then came the 1990s revolution: enterprise bargaining. Suddenly, workplaces could negotiate their own deals, marking a profound shift from the old “one-…
Before the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Australian workplaces were a different world. Women could be legally paid less than men, job ads boldly stated “males only,” and pregnancy meant possible dismissal. Then, with one pioneering piece of legislation, everything changed. The Act didn’t just alter w…
Managing complex employee relations issues demands a strategic approach combining clear processes, fair implementation, and thorough documentation. In today’s evolving workplace, organisations must navigate challenges ranging from performance management to mental health concerns while maintaining co…
In today’s tight labour market, effective retention strategies require a sophisticated approach to total rewards that goes well beyond base salary. While competitive pay remains crucial, successful organisations recognise that modern retention demands a holistic approach combining meaningful benefit…
Managing organisational change in unionised environments demands more than standard change management approaches—it requires deep understanding of industrial relations and stakeholder dynamics. Through strategic planning, early union engagement, and transparent communication, organisations can suc…
In today’s dynamic business environment, executive compensation isn’t just about competitive salaries—it’s about creating a comprehensive package that drives performance, ensures retention, and aligns with organisational goals. Modern remuneration strategies must balance market competitiveness, pe…
In high-risk industries, union negotiations demand more than just bargaining skills—they require a deep understanding of safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity. When a mining company faces negotiations during a safety overhaul, or an oil refinery discusses new shift pa…
LEAP into Ikigai: Crafting a Life of Purpose and Fulfilment
Explore how the LEAP model—Location, Environment, Aspirations, and Position—integrates with the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This comprehensive guide highlights their similarities and differences, offering practical exercises and real-wo…
Taking a leap into the unknown can be daunting, but the LEAP model—Location, Environment, Aspirations, Position—offers a structured yet flexible approach to navigating career and life decisions. This guide explores how to align your choices with your values and aspirations, ensuring that when yo…
Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being,” offers a path to a fulfilling life by balancing what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This holistic approach can lead to deeper satisfaction and purpose, guiding you toward a life that is bot…
Creating a culture of accountability is crucial for high-performing teams. It goes beyond setting expectations—it’s about empowering team members to take ownership of their roles. This article explores practical strategies, including clear goal setting, effective feedback, and balanced recogniti…
Adaptive leadership is essential in today’s dynamic business environment. This article explores key strategies: embracing uncertainty, engaging employees, and effective communication. Using the VUCA model, it outlines how leaders can foster resilience and navigate change with confidence, supported…
Effective leadership requires more than just decision-making—it’s about choosing the right approach for each challenge. The mutual problem solving, tell and listen, and tell and sell methods empower leaders to engage, refine, and implement solutions. By mastering these strategies, leaders can dr…