Under the Rug at Work

Sometimes the harm isn’t the original issue - it’s what happens after someone speaks up.Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull, chats with Jo Tarnawsky about workplace harm, organisational justice and the power of a genuine apology.Jo Tarnawsky is a former diplomat, senior executive to the Governor-General and former Chief of Staff to Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister. Across a 25-year career in government, Jo worked at the highest levels of leadership and decision-making, witnessing firsthand how power, silence and workplace culture shape people’s experiences at work.In this deeply personal conversation, Jo shares her own experience of raising concerns about workplace behaviour in Parliament House, the fallout that followed and why the organisational response caused more harm than the original issue. Together, Nicole and Jo discuss why organisations often move into protection mode when concerns are raised, how poor organisational justice escalates harm and why a simple apology can make a powerful difference.They also unpack what leaders, HR teams and organisations can do differently to respond with empathy, fairness and humanity before issues turn into long and damaging battles.In this episode, we cover:💠Why organisational responses can create a “second injury”💠The role of apology, dignity and acknowledgement in workplace conflict💠How fear and reputation management drive poor workplace responses💠What leaders can do to create safer, more trauma-informed workplacesYou can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s navigating workplace conflict, leading teams or trying to create a safer workplace culture.Connect with Jo:Instagram LinkedInSubstackWebsite

Grief at work is often avoided, rushed or handed off, but the way we respond can shape whether someone feels supported or alone.Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull, chats with Sally Healey and Jessie Williams, founders of Grief First Aid, about why workplaces fall flat on grief and what better support can look like.Sally and Jessie share how their own lived experience, research and workplace backgrounds led them to create an Australian-based model for grief support at work. They explain why grief is not something to fix, why it should not be automatically treated as a mental health condition and why workers often need trusted colleagues and leaders who know how to respond with care, choice and clear boundaries.In this episode, we explore:💠Why grief is so often swept under the rug at work💠What leaders can say and do when a worker is grieving💠Why silence, avoidance and “fixing” can cause harm💠How Grief First Aid helps workplaces build grief literacyThis episode is a powerful reminder that grief is part of life, and workplaces need the skills, processes and courage to respond with humanity.You can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to better support workers through grief.Connect with Sally & Jessie 👇Grief First AidLinkedIn, Jessie WilliamsLinkedIn, Sally HealeyLinkedIn, Grief First AidInstagram, Grief First Aid