HR Leader Podcast Network

Cyber hacks have created a logistical nightmare for businesses around the world. As HR professionals, we need to remain on top of the latest trends, threats and challenges to ensure we’re educating employees and employers about the risks. On this episode of The HR Leader, we share a recent discussion between one of our sister brands, Lawyers Weekly, and Law & Cyber founder and legal practitioner director Simone Herbert-Lowe – who unpacks the state of affairs for cyber attacks in Australia. Simone shares why smaller outfits are a prime target for different hackers and how business leaders can stay across proposed legislative changes and implement their own solutions in-house to better protect data.

Keeping staff happy can boost engagement, productivity, and overall profitability. In this episode, Jade Green also touched on how to build a strong culture, why psychological safety is a must, and why workplace champions can be a great addition to the workforce.  

Stats around absence management are evolving year on year, with the time ripe for HR professionals to put it top of their business agenda. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave chats to Morag Fitzsimons, national manager of employee care, people solutions at Lockton, on the benefits of putting absence management front and centre – and the risks that come with not having effective measures that speak to this. Morag runs through the latest findings concerning absence management in the Australian market and how these stack up to what’s playing out overseas. She also gives her tips to ensure Australian business leaders are leading the pack in implementing benefits that will make a true difference in the eyes of staff and avoid those that are tokenistic. 

Despite some companies’ best efforts, many may find themselves falling behind when it comes to meaningful investment in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Melissa Bowden, senior HR director, APAC and Japan at Workday, to unpack recent studies that pinpoint how Australia’s DEI investment efforts are tracking – and what needs improving. Melissa takes Emma through Workday’s approach to DEI investment and gives her views as to how the importance of implementing strategies surrounding the topic has changed over the years. Melissa also provides listeners with her top tips on how to navigate inevitable headwinds that come with evolving work environments, as well as the tech that can make all the difference in a company’s support on offer.

The evolution of the workforce has posed plenty of challenges for recruitment. This episode of The HR Leader discusses these challenges with Ben Townshend, the technology sales recruitment lead at Bluefin Resources. Ben touches on the implications brought about by the pandemic and how to stand out amid a tight labour market. He also outlines the importance of candidate experience and recruitment tech.

CEO confidence in executive leadership teams has seen a deep decline. Now, more than ever, presents an opportunity for HR professionals to prove their worth. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Dee Fitzgerald, executive director at Russell Reynolds Associates, to discuss what’s caused this drop in confidence – and what proactive measures you can take to drive it up again. Dee talks about the big comparisons between traditional and today’s C-suite teams, what characteristics people in exec roles need to exude now, and the questions leaders should ask themselves when setting a business up for success. She also reveals how leaders can effectively develop next-generation leaders in-house and gives HR up-and-comers some key advice on how they can position themselves up for success from the get-go.  

Mitch Wallis is a mental health advocate and founder of Heart On My Sleeve. He joined The HR Leader to discuss the work his organisation does to promote mental health support in the workplace and why it’s so important. Mitch highlighted how people often spend more time at work than they do with loved ones, showing that the workplace is a crucial place to address mental wellbeing. To access Heart On My Sleeve’s workplace programs, visit the link below:https://www.heartonmysleeve.org/

Recent government efforts to better support employees suffering from family and domestic violence are a step in the right direction, but do they go far enough? On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave is joined by Tammy Hewitt for an honest and insightful conversation about addressing the issue in Australian workplaces. Tammy is a mental health advocate and keynote speaker who has a passion for educating business leaders about how they can implement practical measures in-house to support staff who need it most. While she is encouraged by the new Australian legislation, which allows employees 10 days of family and domestic violence leave, she shares how employers can go the extra mile. Tammy also shares the tell-tale signs of family and domestic violence HR can look out for in staff – and the appropriate steps to take in supporting them from the get-go.

While more Australian workplaces are bolstering their efforts in the wellbeing space, there are lessons that can be learnt from overseas counterparts. On this episode of The HR Leader, host Emma Musgrave chats to Aussie-based Cathy McDonald, executive general manager of Vitality Works, and UK-based Dr Adam Huxley, co-founder and COO of Thrive, on the hidden benefits that come with an expanded workplace policy. Cathy and Adam take listeners through the financial and cultural benefits that come with placing greater emphasis on mental health in the workplace, discuss the cost of absenteeism, and give their advice to HR leaders and key decision-makers who are keen to implement greater initiatives going forward. The pair also discuss the partnership their companies have recently embarked on to bring what’s being dubbed the next revolutionary employee assistance program (EAP) solution to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Nicole Karagiannis is the chief people and culture officer at Harrison.ai. She spoke with The HR Leader about her career as an HR professional, her interest in coaching and executive leadership, and the importance of DEI and belonging in HR’s outlook. Ms Karagiannis shared with listeners how being trilingual has enhanced her HR work, including being able to speak clearly and plainly to a diverse group of people. She commented on the role of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in Harrison.ai’s workplace, including why it’s important to tailor recognition to individual employees. Seeing HR as a “commercial business partner” is key for Ms Karagiannis, who demonstrated in the podcast discussion how HR could be a commercial contributor outside of what’s thought of as the traditional HR role. Listen to the full podcast to also discover Ms Karagiannis’ tips for those in the tech industry currently experiencing workforce challenges. Dave Ulrich is referenced in this podcast discussion. For more information, see the links below:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-hr-competencies-actions-enable-renewal-through-human-dave-ulrich/ https://www.rbl.net/insights/videos/hr-from-the-outside-in