HR People Pod – Ep 8: Benefits| Location tracking | Shadow policies | Sexual harassment
Sep 18, 2024
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David D’Souza, a CIPD Director of Profession, is joined by Danny Mortimer, chief executive at NHS Employers, and Janet Campbell, a director specializing in organizational policies. They dive into whether office perks like free water really count as employee benefits. The conversation heats up over location tracking in hybrid work and shadow policies lurking in organizations. They also tackle the serious topic of sexual harassment, discussing essential preventive measures and the impact these issues have on employee well-being.
Organizations should focus on comprehensive benefits beyond basic rights to effectively attract and retain diverse talent.
Strengthening policies against sexual harassment requires a cultural shift, clear communication, and proactive measures to foster employee trust and safety.
Deep dives
Workplace Benefits and Attraction
Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of effectively communicating their benefits to attract talent. It’s noted that nearly half of UK job vacancies list basic statutory rights, such as free water, which may fall short of what potential employees seek. The discussion emphasized that companies should focus on presenting a comprehensive benefits package that goes beyond minimum requirements to genuinely attract applicants. Additionally, as work scenarios become more personalized, organizations are exploring flexible benefits that cater to diverse employee needs, including unique requests like time off for pet care.
Monitoring Hybrid Work and Employee Trust
As companies adjust to hybrid work models, some are considering monitoring employee attendance to enforce office presence. For instance, PwC plans to track attendances to ensure compliance with their in-office work policy, raising concerns about employee trust and workplace culture. The necessity for transparency and communication around expectations was underscored, with suggestions to provide reasons for office returns rather than relying on surveillance. A more effective approach might involve addressing team dynamics and engagement rather than tracking individual behaviors through technology.
The Impact of Shadow Policies
The discussion highlighted the prevalence of shadow policies within organizations, where official guidelines don't always reflect actual practices. An example cited was the discrepancy between IT policies against using WhatsApp for communication and the reality that many employees use it regularly. This reveals a broader challenge in harmonizing stated policies with real-world employee behavior, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt and update their policy frameworks. Ultimately, the goal is to foster an environment where policies support inclusive and effective practices rather than stifle them.
Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A critical portion of the conversation centered on sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly in light of upcoming legislative changes in the UK aimed at enhancing protections for workers. The need for clear policies and training to create a safe environment where employees feel able to report harassment was emphasized. Real-life examples were shared regarding the importance of risk assessment procedures for events to mitigate potential harassment incidents. The group stressed that addressing these issues requires a cultural shift towards acknowledging systemic problems, building trust, and ensuring all employees feel heard and validated in their experiences.
Is free water really an ‘employee benefit’? Would you track employees' working locations to enforce stricter hybrid working policies? And would you turn a blind eye to ‘shadow policies’? In this episode, we debate these questions and also discuss the preventative measures organisations should take to reduce the risk of sexual harassment incidents in the workplace.
CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Danny Mortimer, chief executive at NHS Employers; Janet Campbell, director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority; and CIPD People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith.
Recorded: 13 September 2024
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