HR Leader Podcast Network Momentum Media

The vital yet often under-discussed realm of work health and safety is a must-know for employers and employees. Education and clarity in this area help protect people in the workplace and avoid legal issues.
In this episode of The HR Leader, Kerry Kingham, chief executive of the Chooze Shop, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of workplace safety, its integration into organisational culture, and the evolving challenges in the era of remote and hybrid work.
Kingham emphasises the foundational role of work health and safety (WHS) in establishing a company’s culture and standards. Unfortunately, WHS often goes unnoticed until a crisis unfolds. The alignment of WHS policies with an organisation’s vision, mission, and values not only reinforces safety standards but also fosters a culture of care and responsibility.
She also points out the necessity of regular reskilling and upskilling to keep pace with evolving safety standards and risks. Moreover, the legal and compliance landscapes have become increasingly stringent, with negligence in WHS potentially leading to severe consequences.
The remote and hybrid work models can sow confusion with WHS, as it’s unclear where responsibility lies. Kingham stresses the extension of WHS responsibilities into the home office, challenging traditional boundaries of workplace safety.

Emotional fitness is the key to navigating tricky situations at work. With the landscape of work constantly evolving, understanding and adapting to change has never been more crucial.

Emotional fitness expert Joe Pane delves into these themes in this episode of The HR Leader. Emotional fitness, as Pane describes, is fundamentally about our relationship with uncertainty. It’s this relationship that dictates not only our personal growth but also our professional development.

The workplace, a hub of constant change, serves as a prime arena for exercising emotional fitness. From promotions and team changes to new leadership dynamics, employees face uncertainty at every turn. Pane emphasises that growth, a perpetual need of the human condition, is inherently tied to our ability to navigate these uncertainties effectively.

Uncertainty, according to Pane, is a fabric of life and a precursor to growth. This concept challenges the traditional view of uncertainty as an obstacle. Instead, Pane suggests that embracing uncertainty is essential for development, both personally and professionally. The idea that uncertainty never truly goes away but can be managed more effectively through emotional fitness offers a fresh perspective on career progression and personal development.

The recruitment market has seen a chaotic and tense couple of years. Various factors have caused a skills shortage and trends like quiet quitting and the Great Resignation, to name a few.

To discuss the future of the recruitment market, Jesse Shah, nrol’s director, joins The HR Leader. The conversation touches on the current state of recruitment and what can be expected in the coming years.

As we conclude the first quarter of 2024, Shah reflects on the noticeable uptick in recruitment activities compared to the previous year. This surge in hiring activities is good news for candidates; however, it creates harsh competition for employers.

Salaries, undoubtedly, remain a significant factor influencing job changes. However, Shah underscores the growing importance of workplace culture and mental health considerations. The stress of being under-resourced and overworked has led candidates to value organisations that offer a better work/life balance alongside competitive pay.

Addressing the gender disparity in the workplace, Shah acknowledges the impact of recent reporting by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. While the full effects of these reports are yet to be seen in recruitment practices, there’s an awareness and questioning of pay disparities among candidates. This awareness could potentially drive businesses to reassess their compensation structures to retain and attract top female talent.

Businesses have the sway to enact real change. More and more organisations are leveraging this and entering the activism space.
Lucy Piper, director at Work for Climate, joined The HR Leader to delve into the increasingly pertinent topic of business activism and why it’s crucial in the modern workforce. The episode discusses the evolving role of companies in fostering a culture where employee activism, particularly around climate issues, is not just welcomed but encouraged.
Creating a space for employee-led initiatives and discussions on shared values is crucial. This approach not only nurtures a culture of engagement and ownership among employees but also aligns with the broader expectation for businesses to play a proactive role in societal issues.
Gone are the days when employees were expected to leave their personal values and concerns at the door. This change has led to a more values-driven workforce. Piper points out that this shift is about more than just individual or collective activism within the workforce. It’s about companies re-evaluating their core values and the legacy they wish to leave. It’s a call to action for businesses to align their operations and strategies with a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient vision of the future.
 

Building a thriving workplace takes time and effort. Data analytics and psychometric testing can make this process easier, particularly at scale. Integrating these processes into everyday practices can foster and propel healthy workforce development and productivity.

In this episode of The HR Leader, Alex Bond, Director at PBC Hogan, delves into the multifaceted world of building effective workplaces through building effective leaders. The conversation sheds light on the ever-evolving landscape of workplace dynamics, emphasising the pivotal role of trust, leadership, and data analytics.

At the heart of the discussion is the transformative potential of objective behavioural insights and data analytics in leadership development and organisational performance. We discuss in detail how PBC Hogan leverages psychometric testing and data analytics to create a holistic understanding of leadership capabilities and aligning development interventions with organisational strategy. By establishing baselines and measuring progress, organisations can make informed decisions and foster leadership that propels the organisation forward.

Finally, we consider the concept of trust, deemed a cornerstone in successful workplace relationships and highlight how trust underpins team performance, and fosters an environment conducive to vulnerability, learning, and positive behaviours, ultimately supporting performance.

Nurturing the next generation of leaders is critical if businesses want to remain competitive in the future of work.
In this episode of The HR Leader, Sonia McDonald, chief executive and founder of Leadership HQ, shares her invaluable insights on the importance of promoting future leaders and how current leaders play a role in preparing for a sustainable future through developing the leadership skills of younger employees.
According to McDonald, the emerging generations are showing an unprecedented eagerness to learn and grow, making it a good time for organisations to focus on developing their leadership potential. This generation is not just looking to climb the corporate ladder – they are driven by a desire to make meaningful changes in the world. McDonald believes that by equipping them with essential human and leadership skills today, we are paving the way for a brighter future for our communities, organisations, and the planet.
However, McDonald points out a significant challenge: the pressure of leadership. She argues that while this pressure is substantial, it is both an honour and a responsibility, and she is confident that the younger generations are more than capable of rising to the occasion.