July 29, 2026

Businesses Learn How to Handle Workplace Issues Before They Escalate

Allan Milostic, Gus Walsgott, Adrian Bram and Clay Bauman. Photo Credit: Zach Houtenville.

Whitsundays businesses came together at Club Whitsunday last Thursday morning to hear practical tips on managing workplace issues and reducing risk.  

Hosted by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the final Business Breakfast of the year, the event brought local professionals together to network and hear from workplace investigator Jason King, Director of Regional Queensland Investigations.  

Julia Evans, Jason King, Allan Milostic and Trish Jandt.

Drawing on decades of investigative experience, Jason is a former Australian Federal Police Federal Agent and Victoria Police officer.  

Throughout his career, he has investigated workplace misconduct, fraud, bullying and harassment complaints, corporate risk, cyber-related matters and other sensitive organisational inquiries across both the public and private sectors.  

Jason outlined the stages these matters typically progress through, covering escalation, early warning signs, common mistakes, procedural fairness and evidence, when issues should be handled internally or referred externally, and the steps organisations should take in the first 24 hours.

Giulian Grasso, Sue Birch, Marlene Reiffel, Sheri Flynn and event guest.

Using real Queensland case studies, he showed how seemingly minor workplace issues can quickly escalate when handled poorly, highlighting the value of acting early, documenting concerns properly and making decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.  

Jason said businesses are better off dealing with concerns early, encouraging workplaces where staff feel comfortable speaking up before small issues become bigger ones.  

Fiona Erquiaga & Cait Fleming.  

Event guest and Mary-Anne Sullivan.