1. What types of organisations do you work with?
We work with a broad range of organisations across the private sector, particularly those with unionised workforces or complex employment environments. Our services also cater to public sector and not-for-profit. Our clients often operate in highly regulated, operational, or workforce-intensive settings where industrial relations, employee engagement, and communication are critical to business success. We tailor our approach to suit your organisational structure, leadership style, and workplace culture.
2. Why would we need strategic industrial relations or communications consulting?
Workplace issues and organisational change are increasingly complex. Whether you’re bargaining, navigating union dynamics, communicating a restructure, or responding to a workforce issue—having a strategic partner helps ensure your approach is legally sound, people-focused, and aligned with your broader goals.
We bring clarity, structure, and leadership alignment to high-stakes situations, and provide the practical tools needed to manage risk and build trust.
Our expertise spans the full spectrum of industrial relations strategy, including enterprise bargaining planning, union engagement frameworks, dispute resolution support, and organisational positioning in complex or contested environments.
We help clients take a proactive, long-term view of their IR approach—aligning legal, operational, and cultural considerations to support business success.
We also design and deliver targeted communications campaigns that support employee engagement, change adoption, and organisational reputation—particularly during bargaining, restructures, or disputes.
Our insight into union strategy and behaviour helps you anticipate tactics, manage escalation, and engage constructively with employee representatives. Whether you need end-to-end support or advice on a single issue, we help you stay one step ahead, keep stakeholders aligned, and communicate with clarity and confidence.
3. How is this different from legal advice or hiring a lawyer?
We’re not lawyers—and we don’t replace legal advice. Instead, we complement it. While lawyers provide legal interpretation and representation, our role is to work with your leaders, HR team, or internal stakeholders to translate strategy into action—whether through communication, union engagement, leadership alignment, or change implementation. We often work alongside legal counsel to ensure your approach is not only compliant, but also practical, clear, and sustainable in your workplace.
4. Do you provide support during enterprise bargaining?
Yes. We provide end-to-end strategic and operational support throughout the enterprise bargaining process—including preparation, stakeholder mapping and engagement, negotiation strategy, communication planning, and post-agreement implementation.
5. Can you assist with day-to-day industrial relations matters?
Absolutely. We support HR leaders and managers with practical, day-to-day IR advice—such as interpreting Modern Awards, managing union engagement, addressing grievances, and handling performance or conduct issues. We’re a trusted partner in managing risk and maintaining workplace stability.
6. What types of communication services do you offer?
We provide a full suite of strategic communication services, including internal communication frameworks, change communication planning, stakeholder engagement strategy, executive messaging, crisis and issues communication, and media relations. We also support day-to-day needs like staff announcements, scripts, FAQs, and briefing notes.
7. Do you offer coaching for leaders and managers?
Yes. We offer tailored coaching for leaders at all levels—from frontline managers to senior executives. Coaching sessions are practical, confidential, and focused on building communication capability, confidence, and presence. Topics may include leading difficult conversations, influencing stakeholders, and communicating through change.
8. Can you help us communicate a restructure or major change?
Yes. We specialise in supporting organisations through complex workforce and structural change. We help you develop clear, timely messaging that aligns with your IR obligations and supports employee trust, engagement, and understanding during periods of uncertainty.
9. Do you work directly with unions and employee representatives?
Yes. We support clients in building constructive and transparent relationships with unions and employee reps. Whether you’re engaging proactively, responding to claims, or navigating disputes, we help manage the relationship strategically and respectfully.
Further, recent updates to industrial relations laws—such as those introduced through the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Acts—have significantly shifted the landscape for employers, particularly in unionised workplaces.
Changes include stronger protections for labour hire workers, expanded union delegate rights, and increased scrutiny on enterprise bargaining processes.
We help organisations understand and navigate these reforms, adjust their strategies accordingly, and engage with unions in a way that remains compliant, constructive, and aligned with business objectives.
10. What if we don’t have an in-house communications or IR team?
That’s no problem. We regularly work alongside lean internal teams or step in as a trusted advisor when internal capacity is limited. Whether you need one-off project support or an ongoing relationship, we can tailor a flexible engagement to suit your needs.
11. Do you offer government or stakeholder engagement support?
Yes. Where relevant, we support clients with government engagement strategy—particularly where workforce, policy, or public-facing communication is involved. This includes stakeholder mapping, messaging development, briefings, and submission support.
12. How do we get started or request a consultation?
Reach out via our Contact Us page or email us directly at info@arcstrategy.com.au to book an initial discussion. We’ll talk through your needs, answer any specific questions, and explore the best way to support your goals. There’s no obligation, and everything discussed is completely confidential.
