WhyWork Podcast

Alan Girle, Trajce Cvetkovski, & Sara Pazell
  • 5.0 (22)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The WhyWork Podcast is an organisational strategy session and legal dissection of workplace events that are laced with humour. Your bloggers, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, explore the contemporary and uncomfortable realities of work and the boundaries that are tested. Alan and Trajce dismantle case law and Sara pushes all to consider how to redesign the world of work so that business objectives are realised and that people thrive. Good stories are told. The WhyWork team throws shade on some of the stories and the people involved as they consider defensible and remarkable work design strategy. When you listen to the WhyWork Podcast, you realise that no skeleton in the workplace closet is too sacred to unearth. It’s like listening to the water cooler gossip but then shit gets real, and it all becomes serious – fast. This is a must-listen for executive and emerging managers, work design strategists, human factors specialists and ergonomists, work health safety and law specialists, organisational scientists, occupational health academics, and anyone humoured by office and workplace antics! Get ready to exclaim, “She said WHAT...?” and “He DIDN’T! OMG!”. Laugh along with us while you learn lots.

  1. S10: Bonus Trailer 02: How Far Would You Go for a Workmate?

    SEASON 10 TRAILER

    S10: Bonus Trailer 02: How Far Would You Go for a Workmate?

    S10: Bonus Trailer 02: How Far Would You Go for a Workmate? Testing institutions and confronting friends through extraordinary life choices. Prepare for a special bonus-release series on live organ donation for a workmate.

    2 min
  2. S10: Bonus Trailer 01: How Far Would You Go For a Workmate?

    SEASON 10 TRAILER

    S10: Bonus Trailer 01: How Far Would You Go For a Workmate?

    S10: Bonus Trailer 01: How Far Would You Go For a Workmate? A special three-part, provocative bonus series releasing soon.

    1 min
  3. S09 E12: “Puppy-Gate” and Stripping as a Side-Hussle

    26 JAN

    S09 E12: “Puppy-Gate” and Stripping as a Side-Hussle

    Season 09 Episode 12: “Puppy-Gate” and Stripping as a Side-Hussle WARNING: This episode includes discussion on stripping as a trade – we advise listener discretion Alan reflects on the South Australian work-from-home ‘puppy-gate’ test of law when a local government worker claimed worker’s compensation for an injury she sustained while working from home. In this instance, she tripped over a puppy fence she’d installed in the home to segregate her puppy from a pet bunny. Here is the breakdown of the case: Initial Decision: The Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme (LGAWCS) rejected Ms. Vercoe's claim.The Appeal: Ms. Vercoe (the employee) appealed that decision to the South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET).The Ruling: In October 2024, the SAET ruled in favour of Ms. Vercoe, finding that her injuries were compensable, arising from her employment.Appeal Decision (Full Bench of SAET): On 8 December 2025, the Full Bench of the SAET overturned their earlier ruling. The case was sent back to the original Tribunal member to reconsider and proper applications of the legal test.“But can you appeal an appeal?” Sara begs to know. Trajce replies, “Short answer is, yes, potentially anything; the apex of the court structure is The High Court.” Trajce and Sara engage in debate with Alan about the merits of work from home, or anywhere for that matter (W-F-A), and the legal tests of environmental and technical safety. For more information, refer to Vercoe v Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme (2024) Alan presents a second case from Victoria about a construction worker stripper with a thumb injury, a decision in the County Court of Victoria. Alan explains, “The decision was whether or not to grant leave of the courts to consider the case.” He leaves the team guessing about the sex of the worker and circumstances pertaining to the case. For more on these topics, tune in to: · S01 E03: Pets ‘n’ Air Fryers · S01 E07: Design When we Work-From-Anywhere · S04 E02: The WooFA Work-From-Anywhere (WFA) Reality · S07 E10: That Old Chestnut – Pets & Work From Home

    44 min
  4. S09 E11: The Beat Boy Fashion Archetype and Exploitation Tactics of Reality TV

    19 JAN

    S09 E11: The Beat Boy Fashion Archetype and Exploitation Tactics of Reality TV

    S09 E11: The Beat Boy Fashion Archetype and Exploitation Tactics of Reality TV WARNING: At the end of this episode, we refer to a mass murderer who made his way to a Reality TV show, and this may confront some people – we advise listener discretion. Trajce’s nurtures his love of reality TV through research about the programming designed to evoke conflict among the show participants. “Some of these reality TV episodes showcase true talent among participants as competitors – like singing, sport, or survival skills,” explains Trajce, “but then there are the anti-talent shows – ‘I’m a celebrity, get me outta here!’” Alan talks about the lack of privacy on reality TV shows. He quotes a contestant who says, “This experience is shark-infested, it’s like having my leg bitten off.” Sara protests, “But you sign consents – are you not seeking your 15 minutes of fame?” Trajce asks, “What about the participants who are older?” In response to the crew’s discussion on the tortology of the sociological research term, ‘lived experience,’ Trajce adds, “There are some people who are experienced, but haven’t really lived.” Trajce reflects on this love for the level of authenticity in the WhyWork show with Sara’s admission of her lack-of-fashion fashion archetype, “Seriously,” she complains, “it’s like my archetype is the non-archetype, playful, not quite centred in any one place, just like my Otter animal-archetype!” For more on these topics, tune in to: · S02 E08: Reality TV and Me – Trajce reflects on his fascination (and obsession) with reality TV and the phenomena of ‘naming and shaming.’ The crew discuss the potential psychological impacts of being on these shows. · S02 E10: Name and Shame: Where is the Filter? Broader in scope, this episode includes discussion of reality TV and the blurred lines around naming and shaming in media and society. And two related books by Trajce Cvetkovski: · Reality TV and the Art of Trivialising Work Health, Safety, and Wellbeing · The Pop Music Idol and the Spirit of Charisma

    17 min
  5. S09 E10: How Much do you C.A.R.E. About Work and Life?

    12 JAN

    S09 E10: How Much do you C.A.R.E. About Work and Life?

    Season 09 Episode 10: How Much do you C.A.R.E. About Work and Life? WARNING: This episode refers to sexual escapades that may offend some people – we advise listener discretion. This episode continues the thread from S09 E09: An Assault on Office Decorum, while the crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, debate methods to provide supportive workplace environments and develop defences to protect workers from harm. Sara explains a systems-view on psychosocial risk management, providing workplace defences to subsequent psychological harm to workers (inspired by EMESRT’s 9 Layers of Defence in Vehicle Interactions ) – C.A.R.E. – listen in to learn more about this! Trajce complains about ‘TMIF’ in some workplaces – ‘Too Much Information Sharing,’ as Alan reflects on the past episode’s stories of a worker who openly discussed his antics in ‘LARP’ – ‘Live Action Role Play’ sexual antics. For more on psychosocial risk management, refer to PRAiSETM (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) – Certified Assessor and Manager programs – and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools help teams visualise, quantify, qualify, and respond to both contextualised physical and psychosocial risks, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design.

    25 min
  6. S09 E09: An Assault on Office Decorum

    5 JAN

    S09 E09: An Assault on Office Decorum

    Season 09 Episode 09: An Assault on Office Decorum WARNING: This episode refers to sexual escapades that may offend some people – we advise listener discretion. The crew, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, discuss a confronting case, Evan Ashley Solstace v Metley Toleda Ltd [2023] FCA 456, which made headlines: ‘Creepy office work is slammed by judge for filthy acts at work.’ The judge called the situation, “Shambolic!” “Great word,” reflects Trajce. Sara explains some of the findings resulting from Alan’s case research, “This worker was found to engage in purposeful lewd workplace behaviours. He would fart in the hallway, burp aloud, go to the loo with the hallway door open, and solicit sex talk among colleagues while openly sharing stories about his polyamorous and furry lifestyle.” While admitting the inappropriateness of the workplace behaviours, Alan struggles with the connection of these behaviours to sexual harassment industrial law, which tethers Trajce and Sara to good debate on this topic. Sara sets her boundaries, “Hey,” she tells the guys, “We are great friends – but hear me now: I do not ever wish to know the explicit details of your bedroom gymnastics!” Tune in for more on this case and other discussions on workplace taboos. For more on psychosocial risk management, refer to PRAiSETM (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) – Certified Assessor and Manager programs – and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools help teams visualise, quantify, qualify, and respond to both contextualised physical and psychosocial risks, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design.

    22 min
  7. S09: Bonus Encore S01 E01 on Replay - Bubbles of Trouble

    29/12/2025 · BONUS

    S09: Bonus Encore S01 E01 on Replay - Bubbles of Trouble

    WARNING: This episode is explicit in nature - we advise listener discretion. Encore replay from our inaugural WhyWork Podcast episode 01 launch - From S01 E01: Bubbles of Trouble - the perfect discussion for the holiday time. Season 01 Episode 01 invites listeners to consider what happens when a celebration like a Christmas party or social gathering goes seriously wrong. There can be blurred lines, drinking, nudity, giggles, and the assumptions that everyone in the team wants to party in the same way when that just might not be the case! Listen to what happens when your work party devolves and what might be done to protect against such circumstances. “She poured it on…”, says Alan. “It all got a little sudsy…”, says Sara, and “Let’s get this party started!”. “Was she planking?” asked Trajce. There is little to be left to the imagination in this episode.

    23 min
  8. S09 E08: Sankalpa - The Power of Intention and Gratitude

    22/12/2025

    S09 E08: Sankalpa - The Power of Intention and Gratitude

    Season 09 Episode 08: Sankalpa - The Power of Intention and Gratitude WARNING: This episode refers to victim impact statements after tragic circumstances – we advise listener discretion. The podcast team are elated that the Magpie referenced in the S09 E07: Trading Up - Work in the Sex Trade recording was successfully freed to the wild. Sara admonished, “I don’t know what Trajce was doing – I think he was trying to negotiate with the Maggie to usher in its surrender.” However, the escapade allowed the team a break from the serious stuff and see the comical side of life. “I set my intention daily,” Sara explained, “and today was about joyous laugher with you both.” Sara shared her yogic philosophy on Sankalpa, setting an intention at the beginning of the day and, later, reflecting on the day with gratitude. The boys, Alan and Trajce, struggle with the concept until the pause to reflect on their quality time with their respective partners. This episode explores personal reflections as Sara gears up to share her news in a future episode, and the team relate the ideas of simple pleasures to intentional leadership, design, and victim impact statements - something which Trajce has written about extensively.

    16 min
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Trailers

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About

The WhyWork Podcast is an organisational strategy session and legal dissection of workplace events that are laced with humour. Your bloggers, Alan, Trajce, and Sara, explore the contemporary and uncomfortable realities of work and the boundaries that are tested. Alan and Trajce dismantle case law and Sara pushes all to consider how to redesign the world of work so that business objectives are realised and that people thrive. Good stories are told. The WhyWork team throws shade on some of the stories and the people involved as they consider defensible and remarkable work design strategy. When you listen to the WhyWork Podcast, you realise that no skeleton in the workplace closet is too sacred to unearth. It’s like listening to the water cooler gossip but then shit gets real, and it all becomes serious – fast. This is a must-listen for executive and emerging managers, work design strategists, human factors specialists and ergonomists, work health safety and law specialists, organisational scientists, occupational health academics, and anyone humoured by office and workplace antics! Get ready to exclaim, “She said WHAT...?” and “He DIDN’T! OMG!”. Laugh along with us while you learn lots.

Information

  • Creator
    Alan Girle, Trajce Cvetkovski, & Sara Pazell
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    201
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © WhyWork 2023
  • Show Website
    WhyWork Podcast