About Me
Tom McAtee: Independent HR/IR Consultant
As a Principal Consultant, I bring over 40 years of experience in human resources/industrial relations and executive leadership across various industries and geographies, especially in heavy industry/highly unionised environments.
I am pasionate about building the future of work together.
My work focuses on crafting bespoke people & organisational solutions that resonate with the unique essence of your business to help you unlock the potential of your business.
I specialise in negotiating enterprise bargaining agreements and supporting leadership teams, especially in times of major organisational change.
I am about making shift happen!
My experience across various industries and in blue-chip companies including BOC Gases, Shell, Wesfarmers, Sohar Aluminium, Yancoal and Norco allows me to bring ideas from many worlds. Drawing on my many experiences, I can confidently challenge the status quo to arrive at best-balanced choices that fit with your organisation.
I have worked in industries as diverse as mining, oil & gas, renewable power generation, aluminium smelting, industrial gases, and milk & ice cream manufacturing. I have also worked both within the Australian marketplace as well as undertaking expatriate assignments in the Middle East and the UK.
I have worked in both senior HR as well as business consulting roles. This means I understand the pressures on Boards and CEOs, the challenges of managing teams and large budgets and the tension of seeking ever-better business outcomes.
What I Do Best
Negotiating Enterprise Bargaining Agreements
Enterprise bargaining involves a complex process of negotiation between an employer and their employees (and their representatives) to determine the terms and conditions of their employment resulting in an approved enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) operating in the business.
Managers often inquire about the ‘ideal’ enterprise bargaining agreement process. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. The enterprise bargaining process entails many intricate steps and is heavily regulated by extensive legal requirements from the commencement of bargaining to the approved EBA in place.
To receive expert guidance throughout your entire enterprise agreement bargaining process, reach out to me.
Navigating Change
Having helped organisations go from nothing to something, and from something to something else, I understand the importance of effective change management support. I offer tailored assistance to ensure that your organisational changes are successfully implemented and sustained.
Whether it’s through facilitated workshops for you and your leadership team, leadership mentoring, skill enhancement of your leaders or HR team, or active participation in your implementation team, I am here to make sure your changes stick and drive lasting results for your business.
Developing Strategy
For many years, I led the HR function at the Executive and Board level with ASX listed and global teams – hence I have a strong focus on achieving best-balanced outcomes for all stakeholders.
“Without a plan you are nowhere, with a plan you can always adjust”
To be able to see the “Big Picture”, some of the common questions that need to be addressed include:
How can I create a real sense of energy around here?
Am I hiring the right types of people for what my business is trying to achieve?
Are my pay and recognition practices driving the right behaviours?
Am I structured in the best way to grow my market share?
Did we do a good enough job when we integrated our last acquisition?
Have I brought people along on the change journey?
The output of this review is a set of recommendations about what is working well (and to leave well enough alone!), as well as any changes required to your people and organisation practices that might be stopping your people being at their best.
Building People & Culture Structure
Having established a clear picture of where the business is currently at and what the business is seeking to achieve, I am able to assist you in the build of the critical people, structural and cultural policies, systems and practices, which will give you the best chance of success.
This could include addressing any of the areas identified in the health check of your People & Organisation practices.