CIPD

Could the humble suggestion box make a comeback as the key to acquiring honest, off-the-cuff feedback? What risks do organisations face by ignoring or mismanaging employee voice? Is a gamified approach to performance management the future? And are employees staying faithful or taking part in ‘job polygamy’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Caroline Roberts, HR director at The King’s Fund and associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, and Sarah Mason, chief people officer at SThree. Recorded: 2 May 2025

As we look ahead to some of the key themes for International HR Day 2025, this episode — recorded at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 — explores what organisations need to be doing in practical terms to ensure AI becomes a force for good. How are skill requirements expected to evolve over the medium to long term? What role should the profession play in helping organisations navigate change? And finally, is ‘pleasanteeism’ really a thing? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Roisin Walsh, Head of Workforce Capability and Inclusion at Civil Service in Ireland, Radha Barj, Co-Founder and CEO at Rythmik, David Ducheyne, Vice President of European Association for People Management (EAPM). Recorded: CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, 7 November 2024

Katie Obi, Chief People Officer at One Advanced, and Rob Rees, Group Head of People and Culture at Hastings Hotels Group, dive into the evolving landscape of HR amid economic uncertainty. They tackle the challenges C-suite executives face while adjusting to global changes. The duo examines the fine line between AI utility and its potential impact on career growth, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human connections. Finally, they introduce body doubling as an innovative method to foster productivity, sharing varied personal insights on its effectiveness.

People with past criminal convictions are a proven source of loyal, capable employees. Yet despite clear benefits, stigma – within business and society – continues to prevent many from finding meaningful work. Our research shows only 17% of prison leavers can secure a job within a year of release. So, what can employers do to offer a second chance and bring more prison leavers safely into our workplaces? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Jacob Hill, Managing Director and Founder of Offploy; Alison Bell, People and Communications Director at Project Leaders Ltd; and Sally Eley, Head of CIPD Trust—as we explore how employers can rethink recruitment, reduce bias, and focus on skills and potential over past mistakes. --- Download the CIPD Trust guide to hiring people with convictions: cipdtrust.org/recruiting-employing-and-retaining-people-with-convictions/ Asses your organisation's current readiness to employ individuals with criminal convictions with Offploy's quiz for employers: www.offploy.org/employ

Emma Jayne, Group People and Culture Director at KYN, and Gareth Neale, Head of HR at Crimson Hotels, share their insights on the evolving HR landscape post-COVID-19. They discuss the lasting impacts of the pandemic, such as shifting employee expectations and the necessity for community support among HR leaders. The conversation touches on the role of AI in mentorship, questioning how ‘coachbots’ can supplement human interaction. Finally, they explore gentle leadership and the importance of empathy in management, highlighting its relevance today.

Join Jamila Lecky, Rose Watkins-Jones, and Victoria Keith, all CIPD People Management Outstanding Student award winners, as they dive into pressing HR topics. They discuss the implications of a potential 'right to switch off' and the necessity for better workplace boundaries. You'll hear insights on combating toxic workplace cultures and the importance of continuous learning. They also tackle the growing issue of 'career catfishing' and advocate for respectful recruitment practices to create supportive environments for all.

Join award-winning health strategist Amy McKeown and Rachel Suff, a senior policy adviser, as they delve into the often-overlooked emotional strain faced by HR professionals. They discuss the pressing need for boundaries to safeguard personal well-being amidst organizational pressures. The conversation highlights creative outlets like knitting and yoga for stress relief, as well as the vital role of self-care in navigating employee advocacy versus management mandates. Ultimately, they stress the interconnectedness of individual resilience and supportive workplace culture.

In this conversation, Mel Steel, a former HR director known for her skills in organizational transformation, and David Blackburn, an expert in people management, tackle urgent workplace challenges. They discuss how to manage the mental strain of redundancies and the importance of re-skilling employees instead of layoffs. The duo also explores the innovative concept of mini-retirements, advocating for shorter breaks that enhance work-life balance. Their insights shed light on navigating emotional HR dilemmas during uncertain economic times.

Join Elizabeth Harvey, Head of HR at HSBC, and Jo Carlin, Senior VP HR at Firstsource, as they dive into pressing HR issues. They explore the troubling trend of 'dry promotions' where employees gain responsibility without extra pay. Is there a work ethic crisis in the UK? The conversation also touches on how to intelligently learn from failures and the balance of psychological safety in the workplace. Plus, they dissect the evolving dynamics of job value and the importance of equitable pay practices.

Karen Handley, Head of Future Careers at Virgin Media O2, Sinead Trudgill, Director of Learning at Network Rail, and HR Consultant Andrea Gordon dive into the transformative potential of apprenticeships. They discuss the alarming decline in apprenticeship participation among young people and how strategic planning can revitalize these programs. Highlights include fostering diverse talent, enhancing employee loyalty, and addressing misconceptions. The conversation emphasizes the need for leadership investment and mentorship to harness apprenticeships as a key workforce solution.