Expert Advice
Fatigue changes more than reaction time
In mining, fatigue is usually spoken about as a safety issue. That is, of course, true. It is also incomplete.
April 28, 2026
A national HR leader in an autonomous role had made the decision to resign. The position reported directly to a US based executive who raised concerns about the potential disruption and risk this would create for the Australian business. With an upcoming visit to Brisbane scheduled for the following week, we were engaged to identify and shortlist strong candidates within five business days to enable in-person interviews.
The challenge: while the role was positioned at a senior level, it offered limited strategic scope and no direct reports, a combination not often attractive to experienced HR professionals.
Providing structured updates every 48 hours helped ensure confidence and alignment, especially with a key stakeholder based internationally. The candidate briefing document gave transparency on role limitations, which supported self selection and avoided wasted time for both client and candidates.
An unsuccessful applicant remarked that the level of communication and professionalism made her keen to work with our team on future hiring needs.
“Working with OnTalent, specifically Donna, on a critical HR search was an exceptional experience. Within two weeks, Donna provided us with qualified, pre-screened candidates who were well-prepared for interviews. She efficiently arranged onsite visits within a tight timeframe, allowing us to extend an offer before my departure from Australia to the States. Donna was an incredible partner, demonstrating responsiveness, a keen understanding of our business structure, and openness to feedback. Thank you, Donna, for your invaluable assistance in closing this search. We are so excited to have our new appointee start with us next month!”
In mining, fatigue is usually spoken about as a safety issue. That is, of course, true. It is also incomplete.
Based on a conversation I had with a leader last week who is part of a leadership development program I
Debates about workforce models in Australia’s resources and energy sectors, particularly FIFO versus residential, often mirror contemporary arguments about office-based
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