Written by Sofia Pizzinato

Return-to-work mandates creating workplace tension 

Just months into widespread return-to-office mandates, companies like Dell, JPMorgan, and AT&T are facing backlash and operational issues. 

Dell employees report mixed attendance expectations, unclear rules, and growing workplace friction. At JPMorgan, internal data shows a dip in health and wellbeing since the mandates began, while AT&T struggles with overcrowded offices. 

Neal Woolrich, Director at Gartner HR, noted that many organisations lack clear policies and guidance for leaders, leading to inconsistent application and feelings of unfairness among staff. He warns that missed attendance targets may soon be treated as performance issues, potentially affecting pay or promotions. 

Gartner is an IMPACT client. 

Grafton kicks off the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award cook-offs

The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award regional cook-offs officially launched its 60th year this week, with the first heat firing up at TAFE NSW Grafton.  

Young chefs from across Northern NSW competed in a high-pressure showdown, creating standout mains and desserts in just two and a half hours.  

The event marked the beginning of Australia’s longest-running culinary competition for 16 to 24-year-olds, celebrating innovation, skill, and regional talent. With a $38,000 prize pool and a spot in the national Grand Final up for grabs, the Grafton cook-off set the tone for a fierce and flavour-filled season.  

Nestlé Professional is an IMPACT client.  

Celebrating the next generation of plumbers  

Rheem’s Apprentice Plumber Grants have once again highlighted the bright future of Australia’s plumbing industry Since 2012, the program has recognised apprentices who show commitment, passion, and real potential in their trade. 

For the second consecutive year, 20 grants were awarded, each including $2,000 towards TAFE or RTO fees and textbooks, plus a $1,000 tool voucher. An additional three apprentices received a $1,000 Recognition Award for going above and beyond in their training journey.  

More than 1,000 applicants from every state and territory shared stories of resilience, hard work, and the pride they take in their chosen path – proving that being a tradie is more than just a job, it’s a meaningful and impactful career.  

Rheem is an IMPACT client.  

Aussies flock to social media for news 

For the first time, more Australians are turning to social media for their news than to traditional online news websites, according to the Digital News Report: Australia 2025 from the University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre.  

Television remains the top source of news overall, but younger audiences are favouring short-form video and bite-sized updates on platforms like TikTok and Facebook. In fact, Facebook saw the strongest growth as a news source this year, with 38 per cent of Australians now using it to stay informed.  

The report shows a slight rise in trust in news among Australians with media literacy education. However, global misinformation remains a big concern, with many seeing influencers and online personalities as a major threat. As more Aussies turn to social media for news, opinions are divided on how much content should be moderated.  

Choice puts SPF claims to the test  

A recent investigation by consumer advocacy group Choice has revealed that several sunscreens on Aussie shelves may not be living up to their SPF 50 promises.  

Lab testing using human volunteers found that some products fell well short of their labelled protection levels. The most concerning result came from Ultra Violette Lean Screen, which only delivered SPF 4 despite claiming SPF 50 and has criticised the testing.  

Given Australia’s high UV exposure and the world’s highest melanoma rates, accurate labelling is critical. While Choice has referred the findings to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for a further review, it has stood by its methodology.