
176. Google’s 60-Hour workweek, Asda's bonus backlash and how to go from friend to boss. PLUS! Leaders are human too, with Dr Elaine Smith - This Week in Work, 4th March 2025
Truth, Lies and Work
Intro
The hosts engage in light-hearted discussions about current events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They outline the episode's segments while balancing humor and insightful opinions on workplace dynamics.
Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.
Every Tuesday, we bring you This Week in Work—your go-to for workplace news, a hot take from an industry expert, and our world-famous workplace surgery, where Leanne answers your toughest work dilemmas.
🗞 News Roundup:
1️⃣ Asda Scraps 10,000 Staff Bonuses
- More than 10,000 managers at Asda won’t receive their annual bonuses after a challenging financial year.
- Full story: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/01/asda-scraps-staff-bonuses-for-thousands-after-torrid-year/
2️⃣ Google's Sergey Brin Calls for 60-Hour Workweeks
- Sergey Brin has reportedly told Google employees to return to the office every weekday and suggested 60 hours a week as the “sweet spot” for productivity.
- Full article: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/28/sergey-brin-says-rto-is-key-to-google-winning-the-agi-race/
3️⃣ The Employability Paradox: How Promotions Can Boost Loyalty & Turnover
- The Employability Paradox is the idea that promoting staff increases their loyalty but also makes them more attractive to other employers.
🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Dr. Elaine Smith on Leadership & Wellbeing
Our guest this week is Dr. Elaine Smith, a Clinical Psychologist and Business Wellbeing Consultant. Elaine is the Psychological Wellbeing Lead at Hope.io and co-founder of Think Resilience, a new leadership retreat launching in East Lothian this April.
🧠 Key Insights:
- Leaders Are Human Too: High-ranking leaders, regardless of their salary or seniority, need emotional and mental support just like anyone else.
- The Illusion of Composure: Just because leaders appear composed and confident doesn't mean they aren't struggling beneath the surface.
- Supporting Leaders Benefits Everyone: When leaders are supported to show vulnerability, it fosters connection, improves workplace culture, and can potentially lead to more compassionate decision-making.
🌐 More from Dr. Elaine Smith:
- Leadership Retreat: https://www.thinkresilience.co.uk
- Online Course: Creating Compassionate Workplaces: https://www.drelainesmith.com/online-leadership-course-stress-resilience
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elaine-smith-creating-compassionate-workplaces/
💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery:
📌 Q1: From Friend to Boss—How to Lead Without Losing Your Mates
- A new team lead is struggling with a former peer undermining their authority. How do you establish authority without coming off as power-hungry?
📌 Q2: The Unlimited Holiday Trap
- An "unlimited holiday" policy sounded great in theory but has created chaos. How can managers set boundaries without undermining company policy?
📌 Q3: The HR Battleground
- An HR Director is caught in the middle of a company war over flexible working policies. Should they pick a side, or is there a way to mediate without losing credibility?
📢 Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!
General Support with Mental Health and Well-being
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.
Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans.org (Rest of World)
Connect with Al and Leanne
Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/
Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/
Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Email: Hello@truthliesandwork.com
Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat