The Site Shed | Systems, Strategy and Growth for Tradies and Contractors
The Site Shed is a global podcast for tradies and contractors who want clearer systems, stronger strategy, and steadier business growth. Each episode is designed to educate and inform around the topics that matter most in running and scaling a modern trade business.
Hosted by former plumber and digital agency owner Matt Jones, the podcast dives into real-world conversations on marketing, operations, apprenticeships, technology, hiring, leadership, finance, and more, all tailored to the trades and construction industry.
You’ll hear practical insights, honest lessons, and expert perspectives from across the globe.
Whether you work as a tradie, contractor, builder, electrician, landscaper, or run any service-based business, you’ll find ideas and experiences you can put into action straight away.
If you're ready to work smarter, not harder, The Site Shed gives you the tools, frameworks, and viewpoints to help your business move forward with confidence.
The Site Shed | Systems, Strategy and Growth for Tradies and Contractors
HR for Tradies: What Fair Work Really Cares About | ft. Karen Hillen | Ep. 478
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HR isn’t why you started your trade business.
But getting it wrong can cost you serious time, money, and stress.
In this 478th episode of The Site Shed, Matt sits down with Karen Hillen from My HR Partner to break down what Fair Work actually cares about when it comes to tradie businesses with employees and contractors.
This isn’t theory or corporate HR talk.
It’s practical, trade-specific advice to help you avoid common HR traps and protect your business.
🕒 Key Chapters
00:59 – Why HR mistakes hurt tradie businesses
02:04 – Meet Karen Hillen & what an HR partner does
03:29 – Employee vs contractor: the core confusion
06:19 – When a contractor is legally an employee
10:04 – Contractor vs casual employee explained
14:39 – Trade award entitlements most tradies miss
17:59 – Redundancy & leave liabilities in trade businesses
23:14 – How Fair Work handles complaints
34:14 – Performance management: act early, not late
40:09 – Contracts, VAs & getting the right HR advice
What You’ll Learn:
✔ The real difference between an employee and a contractor
✔ When a contractor should legally be treated as an employee
✔ Why contracts alone won’t protect you
✔ Trade award entitlements most tradies don’t know about
✔ When redundancy pay applies, even if someone resigns
✔ How Fair Work handles complaints and underpayments
✔ How to deal with performance issues before they explode
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CONNECT WITH KAREN HILLEN
Website: https://www.myhrp.com.au
HR Hub: https://myhrp.com.au/hr-hub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhrpartnerau
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyHRPartnerAustralia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhillen/
CONNECT WITH THE SITE SHED!
Website: https://www.thesiteshed.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesiteshed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiteshed/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-site-shed/
Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/
Your Next Step:
Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.
👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod
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