This week's top HR stories in brief

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Simple tweaks to an organisation's structure and work environment can foster the types of informal interactions that significantly improve collaboration and innovation, new research shows. Team size is a tool that employers can use to bolster communication and spur collaboration and innovation, and University of Sydney associate professor of economics Andrew Wait says bigger rarely means better.

An employee who abused his CEO during a conversation about his workplace injury has failed to prove he was unfairly dismissed. The Fair Work Commission found the employee contributed to his dismissal by repeatedly refusing to engage with his employer.

The Australian Public Service is revamping its approach to HR, including by shunning 'HR speak'. A new report sets out how it plans to lift its in-house expertise and become an employer of choice for top HR talent.

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Annualised wage clauses are set to cause a "really big shakeup" of how employers manage modern awards and they should be preparing now, warns HR Law practice group leader Kristin Ramsey. The clauses will affect three key areas: salary calculations, record keeping, and conducting reconciliation.

Parental leave is no longer just a matter of compliance, and now presents an opportunity for competitive advantage, boosting productivity, innovation, employer branding and retention. Circle In co-founder Kate Pollard discusses best practices with regard to policies, support and HR's role.

Continually updating its approach to managing casuals has helped ICC Sydney achieve an enviable retention rate, HR director Matthew Paine says. Its in-house team of three recruits between 300 and 400 casual employees every year, retaining the vast majority of them.

Since last year's sponsorship changes, the rate of visa nomination refusals has been increasing, and at significant cost to employers. Immigate managing director Diana Faraj discusses: the impact of changes; labour market testing requirements; common traps to avoid when nominating overseas talent; and tips for minimising financial risks.

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