Kyla Appleby
PERTH
Summary
Dynamic Senior Human Resources Business Partner, excelling in workplace investigations and employee relations. Expert in aligning people strategies with business goals, coaching leaders to enhance performance management, and ensuring compliance with employment legislation, resulting in improved team engagement and reduced legal risks.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Dovida
02.2025 - Current
- Partner with senior Leaders across 4 State Offices as well as National Office to align people strategies with commercial objectives
- Advise senior Leaders on high-risk employment matters, ensuring decisions were legally compliant and aligned with organisational values
- Partner with legal counsel and external advisors on complex employment matters, reducing legal and reputational risk
- Conducted investigations and resolved high-risk workplace issues, preparing detailed findings and recommendations while ensuring procedural fairness and confidentiality
- Coach managers on effective performance conversations, feedback techniques, and objective setting, leading to improved team productivity and engagement
- Trained leadership on constructive management of performance and misconduct, enhancing accountability and team dynamics
- Monitored legislative changes and translated complex legal requirements into practical business solutions and updated policies, ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, industrial instruments, Enterprise Agreements, and workplace regulations
- Provide strategic guidance to Leaders on the interpretation and application of HR policies, ensuring consistency and fairness across the business
People and Culture Business Partner
Royal Flying Doctor Service
11.2020 - 12.2024
- Developed and implemented programs and initiatives to improve workplace culture and employee satisfaction
- Coached and mentored leaders in effective communication techniques to enhance team engagement
- Provide advice and expertise to Leaders to ensure effective performance management and disciplinary practices
- Conduct confidential and professional investigations into grievances and performance matters
- Undertake Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations, from commencement to submission with Fair Work Commission (FWC)
- Represent RFDS WO at FWC for unfair dismissal, adverse action and other Employee-relations claims
- Develop, implement and maintain talent attraction strategies, including enabling people Leaders to build capability in recruitment and selection activities
- Oversaw end-to-end recruitment and selection processes to secure top talent for key positions
HR Business Partner
Western Diagnostic Pathology
04.2018 - 11.2020
- Manage complex workplace investigations and grievances
- Advised on performance management, ensuring objective and equitable processes
- Interpreted and advised on legislation and company policies to ensure compliance and resolve employee relations matters
- Interpret and advise on the content of three Enterprise Agreements, covering several Awards, states and unions
- Support consistent and effective recruitment and selection practices for the region, and coach managers on behavioural based interviewing
- Coach managers on Company’s remuneration framework and benchmarking, to ensure Employee and labour costs are managed within allocated budgets
- Partner with HSE and Injury Management Teams to support fitness for work matters
- Supported business through change management and transformation activities
- Facilitate HR-related internal training packages
HR Business Partner
Wesfarmers
04.2017 - 03.2018
- Sole HR professional in WA, providing support and advice to 26 branches statewide
- Provide accurate and timely industrial relations advice, including Enterprise Agreement negotiations and Award interpretation
- Assisted in managing and preventing industrial relations claims, reducing potential risks and fostering a positive workplace environment
- Execute restructuring initiatives to ensure successful implementation
- Deliver in-house training on EEO, performance management, and performance development plans
- Supported and advised line managers on performance management issues, ensuring procedural fairness and consistency in employee evaluations
Senior HR Advisor
Macmahon
04.2017 - 03.2018
- Sole HR Advisor onsite at Tropicana with a workforce of approximately 250 Employees
- Advised employees on HR concerns, enhancing communication and employee understanding of policies
- Ensure site compliance to policies and procedures
- Cultivated relationships with internal customers, focusing on continuous improvement of service delivery
- Coordinate the delivery and quality of staff inductions and Human Resources related training across the business
- Design and deliver new products and services consistent with the Human Resource strategy and business direction
- Led team in administering processes and documentation for staff movements, ensuring compliance and efficiency
Senior HR Advisor
Downer EDI Mining
01.2012 - 10.2016
HR Advisor
Skilled Offshore
01.2009 - 01.2012
Education
Graduate Diploma - Human Resource Management
Curtin University of Technology
01-2007
Bachelor - Psychology
Curtin University of Technology
01-2005
Skills
- Business partnering
- Employee relations
- Performance management
- Workplace investigations
- Grievance handling
- Employment legislation
- Policy development
- Workforce analytics
- Leadership coaching
- Employee engagement
Training
- LSI1 and LSI2 accredited practitioner, Humansynergistics
- OCI and OEI accredited practitioner, Humansynergistics
References
- Tania Baldwin, Head of People, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations), 0418 921 644
- Farhad Ahmadzai, HR Manager (formerly), Western Diagnostic Pathology, 0481 913 574
Systems
- ADP
- Kronos
- MS Word
- Excel
- Powerpoint
- SAP
- K2
- PeopleSoft
Timeline
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Dovida
02.2025 - Current
People and Culture Business Partner
Royal Flying Doctor Service
11.2020 - 12.2024
HR Business Partner
Western Diagnostic Pathology
04.2018 - 11.2020
HR Business Partner
Wesfarmers
04.2017 - 03.2018
Senior HR Advisor
Macmahon
04.2017 - 03.2018
Senior HR Advisor
Downer EDI Mining
01.2012 - 10.2016
HR Advisor
Skilled Offshore
01.2009 - 01.2012
Graduate Diploma - Human Resource Management
Curtin University of Technology
Bachelor - Psychology
Curtin University of Technology