Introduction: Support After a Toxic Workplace
A toxic workplace—an environment where harmful behaviours, poor management or ongoing stress negatively affect employee wellbeing—can undermine a person’s confidence and make returning to work feel overwhelming. With personalised employment and health support, however, job seekers can rebuild their confidence, strengthen their skills and take the next step in their careers.
Sarah experienced this firsthand. After leaving a damaging work environment, she came to AKG as a Workforce Australia customer, determined to make a fresh start.
Workforce Australia is the Australian Government’s employment service, connecting eligible job seekers with support, training and employment opportunities. AKG delivers these services by helping customers identify suitable roles, address barriers to employment and prepare for sustainable work.
Finding Opportunities in Gympie
Sarah had a strong background in sales and stock management. However, in the regional Queensland town of Gympie, her experience meant she was overqualified for many of the available positions.
Rather than encouraging Sarah to accept a role that did not suit her capabilities, AKG Job Coach Hannah focused on finding an opportunity that matched her skills and experience.
Building Skills and Expanding Her Options
To broaden Sarah’s employment options, AKG covered the cost of several key certifications:
- Blue Card: A working-with-children clearance that may be required for roles involving people under 18.
- White Card: General construction induction training covering workplace health and safety responsibilities, common site hazards and risk controls.
- First Aid and CPR: Practical training to help Sarah respond to medical emergencies and provide immediate assistance when required.
These certifications opened the door to a wider range of roles while demonstrating Sarah’s readiness to return to work.
Rebuilding Confidence Through Health Support
Preparing for employment involved more than gaining qualifications. While Sarah’s job search was underway, AKG’s Health Support Officers worked alongside her as she rebuilt the confidence affected by her previous workplace experience.
This support helped Sarah recognise the value of her experience and approach new opportunities with renewed self-belief.
Securing the Right Role at Spotlight
Within two months, Sarah secured a role with Spotlight as the retailer prepared to expand into Gympie for the first time.
“This role is right up her alley,” Hannah explains. “Sarah’s previous role was in sales management, and in this role, she’s managing stock.”
The position gave Sarah an opportunity to apply her existing strengths in a new workplace and contribute her skills to a growing local team.
A New Chapter
Sarah has found her spark again. With a role suited to her experience, relevant certifications and ongoing encouragement, she has begun a positive new chapter in her career.
The AKG team in Gympie continues to cheer her on every step of the way.
