HR Voices Podcast

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Welcome to the HR Voices Podcast, a podcast designed to bring the UK HR community and businesses together. The podcast will be informative, with lots of helpful tips and ideas to help you run your business. Being an HR Independent Consultant can be quite lonely. This is why HR Independents (HRi), the UK body for Independent HR and People professionals has created a home and community for HR Indies. The HR Voices podcast will be discussing hot topics relating to HR and business. This will support HR Independent and People Professionals and the businesses they support. We will be bringing you practical tips, expert views and your views. Join Mary Asante, the Chief Executive of HRi and their expert guests for engaging discussions. We would love to hear from you and for you to get more involved. If you have topics you would like us to discuss, contact us via hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk Learn more about HR Independents – HRi at: https://hrindependents.co.uk/about-us/ or connect with us on LinkedIn: hr independents linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hr-independents/ Hosts: www.linkedin.com/in/maryasante and https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-allfrey Success Together.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 85: You Hired Their Brilliance. Are You Getting Their Compliance?

    Episode 85: You Hired Their Brilliance. Are You Getting Their Compliance? Host: Mary Asante Guest: Amanda Anderson, Keynote Speaker, Broadcaster & Author You hire people for what makes them different — their experience, judgement, ideas, creativity and perspective. So what happens when they join your organisation and gradually learn to filter, soften or withhold the very things you hired them for? In this episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by keynote speaker, broadcaster and author Amanda Anderson to explore the gap between capability and contribution — and what Amanda calls “The Compliant Collapse™.” Amanda explains how highly capable employees can continue performing, hitting targets and appearing engaged while an organisation may only be accessing a fraction of what they could really contribute. In this episode, we explore: Why capable people start filtering what they think and know How organisations unintentionally teach talented employees to “play small” Why compliance is useful — but shouldn't be confused with value How recognition, promotion and reward can encourage conformity Why someone can perform well while withholding valuable ideas and perspectives The difference between psychological safety and having your contribution recognised and used How leaders can encourage challenge and different thinking The business cost of paying for capability you're not accessing Why organisations should consider culture add, not simply culture fit Amanda also shares a simple but powerful way to change meetings so that quieter or different perspectives are heard before the loudest voices influence the room. Amanda's Top Three Tips Ask what hasn't been said. Follow “What's your opinion?” with: “What else are you thinking that you haven't yet said?” Notice who always agrees with you. Are people adding something meaningful or simply reinforcing what you've already said? Look at who you reward and promote. Are you rewarding genuine contribution and difference — or simply the people who are easiest to manage? Key Takeaway Hiring brilliant people isn't enough. You need to create the conditions that allow their brilliance to show up. For HR professionals, leaders and HR consultants, the question isn't only how to attract and retain talent. It's whether you're actually accessing the talent you've already hired. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: are you getting their brilliance — or their compliance? 📩 Questions or ideas for HR Voices? hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #HRVoices #HRLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeVoice #TalentManagement

    Episode 85: You Hired Their Brilliance. Are You Getting Their Compliance?

  2. Aug 31

    Episode 84: Know Your Numbers: The Financial Side of Running an HR Consultancy

    Episode 84: Know Your Numbers: The Financial Side of Running an HR Consultancy   Host: Mary Asante Guest: Mark Randall, Your Finance Team   Tax changes, rising employment costs, cash flow, pricing and profitability — how well do you really understand the numbers behind your business?   In this episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by Mark Randall from Your Finance Team to explore the financial, tax and regulatory changes affecting small businesses and independent HR consultants — and what they mean in practice.   From Making Tax Digital and Companies House requirements to employer National Insurance, dividend tax and the true cost of employing someone, Mark explains what business owners need to understand and why financial awareness matters when making business and people decisions.   In this episode, we discuss:   Making Tax Digital (MTD) and what it means for sole traders Tax and regulatory changes affecting small businesses Employer National Insurance and rising employment costs National Minimum Wage and Statutory Sick Pay changes Companies House identity verification requirements Corporation tax, dividends and remuneration for company directors The true cost of employing someone beyond their salary Budgeting, forecasting and planning for tax liabilities Why cash in the bank doesn’t necessarily mean it’s available to spend Cash flow, VAT and managing business finances Pricing, profitability and knowing when to review your fees The numbers every independent HR consultant should understand How financial awareness can help HR consultants give better commercial advice to clients   Running a Business, Not Just Doing a Job   Being a great HR consultant or technical expert isn’t enough on its own.   Mark explains why independent consultants need to understand revenue, costs, profitability and cash flow if they want to build a financially healthy and sustainable HR consultancy.   The conversation also asks an important question: how can HR consultants advise clients commercially about recruitment, retention and people investment without understanding the financial impact of those decisions?   Mark’s Top Tips   1. Remember that you’re running a business Understand your revenue, costs and profitability — and don’t neglect your own business while looking after your clients.   2. Review your pricing As your costs change, review your fees rather than continuing to charge the same simply because that’s what you’ve always charged.   3. Understand your cash flow Know what’s coming in, what’s going out and when tax, VAT and other liabilities are due.   Plus: talk to your accountant. Don’t wait until year-end. Use them as a sounding board for what’s happening in your business and the decisions you’re considering.   Key Takeaway   Financial understanding isn’t just for accountants.   Understanding your numbers helps you make better decisions, prepare for tax and regulatory changes, price your services appropriately and build a more sustainable business.   For HR consultants, it can also help you better understand the commercial realities facing your clients — and become a stronger business adviser as a result.   🎧 Listen now for practical insights into tax, cash flow, profitability, employment costs and running a financially healthier HR consultancy.   📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk   #HRVoices #HRConsulting #SmallBusiness #BusinessFinance #HRConsultant

    Episode 84: Know Your Numbers: The Financial Side of Running an HR Consultancy

  3. Aug 17

    Episode 83: Living Your Legacy – The Impact You Leave at Work and Beyond

    Episode 83: Living Your Legacy – The Impact You Leave at Work and Beyond   Host: Mary Asante Guest: Louise Camby, Speaker and Legacy Advocate   What will people remember about the way you worked, led and made them feel?   Legacy is often something we think about at the end of a career or life. But in this episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by Louise Camby to explore a different perspective: we are creating our legacy every day.   Louise shares the personal story behind preserving the legacy of her grandfather, composer, arranger and conductor Johnny Douglas, whose work included The Railway Children and music for well-known animated television series. Her experience led her to think more deeply about what legacy really means — not only personally, but in our careers, leadership and workplaces.   In this episode, we discuss:   What it means to consciously live your legacy Why legacy isn’t reserved for famous people or senior leaders How everyday behaviours and interactions shape how we are remembered The impact leaders and managers leave on their people How good leadership can influence someone long after they have left a workplace Why making employees feel heard and valued matters Knowledge transfer and succession planning when employees leave or retire How organisations can retain valuable knowledge and experience The importance of planning for the transition into retirement How individuals and businesses can create meaningful legacy projects Why capturing stories, experiences and knowledge matters for future generations   Louise explains that leadership legacy can be found in something as simple as understanding how individuals in your team work best, valuing their contribution and helping them grow.   Louise’s Top Three Tips   1. Capture the stories Take the photos, document the stories and preserve the experiences that matter.   2. Pass on your knowledge Think about knowledge transfer and succession planning so valuable lessons and experience aren’t lost when people move on.   3. Create a legacy project Combine something you enjoy or are good at with a cause or purpose that matters to you.   Key Takeaway   Your legacy isn’t created by one defining moment.   It is built through the small choices you make, the way you lead, the knowledge you share and the way you make people feel every day.   🎧 Whether you’re an HR professional, HR consultant, business owner, leader or simply thinking about the impact you want to have, this episode will encourage you to consider the legacy you’re already creating — and the one you want to leave.   📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk   #HRVoices #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #Legacy #HumanResources

    Episode 83: Living Your Legacy – The Impact You Leave at Work and Beyond

  4. Aug 3

    Episode 82: Human Behaviour at Work – The Ripple Effect of How We Show Up

    Host: Mary Asante Guest: Vicky O'Farrell, Founder of Queen of Behaviours Every workplace interaction has an impact. In this episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by human behaviour expert Vicky O'Farrell to explore how our everyday behaviours influence workplace culture, leadership, employee engagement and team performance. Together, they discuss why HR professionals, managers and business leaders need to look beyond policies and procedures and focus on the human side of work. From understanding the ripple effect of our actions to creating psychological safety and responding rather than reacting, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone who leads or works with people. In this episode, we cover: Why workplace culture is built through everyday behaviours The ripple effect of how leaders and colleagues show up What it's really like to be on the receiving end of your behaviour Why psychological safety starts with self-awareness The importance of understanding the experiences behind people's opinions How to pause before reacting and have better workplace conversations Practical ways HR professionals and leaders can create more respectful, people-focused workplaces Vicky's top tips ✔ Ask yourself, "What's it like to be on the receiving end of me?" ✔ Remember that behind every opinion is a human with a lifetime of experiences. ✔ You don't need to react at the speed in which you receive—pause, reflect and then respond. This episode provides practical insights to help HR professionals, managers, leaders and business owners better understand human behaviour, build stronger workplace relationships and create positive, people-centred cultures where individuals and teams can thrive. 📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #HRVoices #HumanBehaviour #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleManagement

    Episode 82: Human Behaviour at Work – The Ripple Effect of How We Show Up

  5. Jul 20

    Episode 81: Building a Future-Proof HR Consultancy – Key Lessons from Episodes 72, 73, 74 and 80

    Episode 81: Building a Future-Proof HR Consultancy – Key Lessons from Episodes 72, 73, 74 and 80 Host: Mary Asante What does it take to build a successful, sustainable and future-proof HR consultancy in today's rapidly changing business environment? In this special recap episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante brings together the key insights from four recent episodes covering employment law, LinkedIn, consultancy growth and HR audits. Drawing on expert discussions with Amanda Trewhella, Meg Hudson and Tania Harland, Mary explores the common themes emerging across the HR consulting profession and what independent HR consultants need to focus on to thrive. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Employment Rights Act 2025 and what the upcoming employment law changes mean for employers and HR consultants ✅ Why staying ahead of employment law developments creates opportunities to support clients proactively ✅ How LinkedIn can help HR consultants increase visibility, build credibility and attract new clients ✅ The importance of content, connections and conversations in growing a consultancy business ✅ The most common challenges HR consultants are facing right now, including pricing, positioning, client acquisition and retainers ✅ Why HR expertise alone is not enough when running a consultancy business ✅ How HR audits can identify risk, strengthen client relationships and generate strategic advisory opportunities ✅ Using HR audits to support compliance, improve people practices and create ongoing consultancy work ✅ Building a consultancy that is proactive rather than reactive Key Themes Across these four episodes, one message stands out: Successful HR consultants combine technical expertise with visibility, commercial thinking and proactive client support. The consultants who thrive are not simply those with the most HR knowledge. They are the ones who: Stay ahead of change Build strong professional networks Communicate their value clearly Create meaningful conversations with clients Identify opportunities to add value and solve problems Questions to Consider As you listen, ask yourself: How prepared are your clients for the Employment Rights Act 2025? How visible are you to your ideal clients? Are you building your consultancy strategically or reacting to opportunities as they arise? When did you last conduct an HR audit with a client? What steps are you taking to future-proof your consultancy business? Mary's Key Takeaways ✔ Stay ahead of employment law and workplace developments ✔ Build visibility consistently through LinkedIn and networking ✔ Think like a business owner, not just an HR practitioner ✔ Focus on creating value and solving client problems ✔ Use tools such as HR audits to strengthen relationships and uncover opportunities Featured Episodes This recap brings together key insights from: Episode 72: Employment Rights in 2025 – What Employers Need to Know Episode 73: How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your HR Consultancy Business Episode 74: What HR Consultants Are Asking Right Now (and What It Means for Your Business) Episode 80: HR Audits – The Hidden Opportunity for HR Consultants and Their Clients 🎧 Whether you're an HR consultant, HR leader, people professional or business owner, this episode provides practical ideas to help you build a stronger, more sustainable consultancy and deliver greater value to clients. 📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #HRVoices #HRConsultant #HRConsulting #HRLeadership #EmploymentLaw #EmploymentRightsAct2025 #LinkedInForBusiness #BusinessDevelopment #HRAudits #HRCompliance #PeopleProfessionals #HRStrategy #HRCommunity #HRIndependents #SmallBusinessGrowth #ConsultingBusiness #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #BusinessGrowth #PeopleManagement

    Episode 81: Building a Future-Proof HR Consultancy – Key Lessons from Episodes 72, 73, 74 and 80

  6. Jul 6

    Episode 80: HR Audits – The Hidden Opportunity for HR Consultants and Their Clients

    Episode 80: HR Audits – The Hidden Opportunity for HR Consultants and Their Clients Host: Mary Asante Guest: Tania Harland, Founder of HR Diagnostics What exactly is an HR audit, and why should every HR consultant have one in their toolkit? In this episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by Tania Harland, founder of HR Diagnostics, to discuss how HR audits can help organisations reduce risk, improve compliance, and create opportunities for business growth. With major employment law changes on the horizon, including the Employment Rights Act 2025, now is the perfect time for employers to review their HR practices and ensure they have the right foundations in place. In this episode, we cover: ✅ What an HR audit is and why it matters ✅ The difference between an HR audit, health check and compliance review ✅ Common HR and employment law risks employers overlook ✅ How audits help identify gaps in contracts, policies and processes ✅ The impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 ✅ Why HR audits are a valuable business development tool for consultants ✅ Using audits to build credibility, strengthen client relationships and create additional revenue opportunities Tania's Four-Step HR Audit Framework Assess – Review current HR practices and documentation Identify – Highlight compliance gaps and risks Evaluate – Prioritise actions based on business impact Remedy – Create a practical action plan Key Takeaway An HR audit is more than a compliance exercise. It provides a clear picture of where an organisation is today, highlights potential risks, and creates a roadmap for improvement. For HR consultants, it can also be a powerful way to demonstrate value, build trust and uncover opportunities to support clients more strategically. Tania's Top Tips ✔ Don't wait for a crisis before reviewing your HR practices ✔ Use data and evidence to guide conversations with clients ✔ Treat every audit as the start of a longer-term partnership 🎧 Whether you're an HR consultant, business owner, HR leader or people professional, this episode offers practical insights into reducing risk and strengthening your people practices. 📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #HRVoices #HRAudit #HRConsultant #HRCompliance #EmploymentLaw #EmploymentRightsAct2025 #HRLeadership #PeopleProfessionals #BusinessGrowth #HRStrategy

    Episode 80: HR Audits – The Hidden Opportunity for HR Consultants and Their Clients

  7. Jun 22

    Episode 79: What We’ve Learned About Wellbeing at Work

    Episode 79: What We’ve Learned About Wellbeing at Work Mental Wealth, Financial Wellbeing, Psychological Health and Men’s Health Host: Mary Asante Over the last four episodes of HR Voices, we have explored some of the most important wellbeing challenges facing today’s workplaces. From mental wealth and leadership to financial wellbeing, psychological health, stress, remote working and men’s health, one message has consistently emerged: People often struggle long before anyone notices. In this special recap episode, Mary Asante brings together the key insights and practical lessons from Episodes 75–78, highlighting what HR professionals, business leaders, managers and independent consultants can learn from these powerful conversations. In this episode, we explore: ✅ Why wellbeing is about far more than mental health alone ✅ The connection between mental health, financial wellbeing, physical health and workplace performance ✅ How stress, burnout and "drift" can develop quietly over time ✅ Why awareness alone is not enough to create meaningful change ✅ The emotional load carried by HR professionals, leaders and managers ✅ The impact of financial stress on employee wellbeing, productivity and engagement ✅ Psychological health in remote and hybrid working environments ✅ Why men’s health remains an important workplace conversation ✅ The role of managers in spotting early warning signs and creating supportive workplace cultures ✅ How isolation affects employees, leaders and independent consultants alike ✅ Why early intervention and meaningful conversations matter   Key themes from Episodes 75–78 Mental Wealth and Leadership Building strong support networks, recognising "drift" early, and understanding why leaders often struggle in silence. Financial Wellbeing at Work The impact of money worries on employee wellbeing, mental health, productivity and workplace performance. Psychological Health and Remote Working Managing stress, burnout, psychological strain and maintaining healthy boundaries in increasingly flexible workplaces. Men’s Health at Work Breaking stigma, encouraging earlier conversations, supporting preventative healthcare and creating workplaces where people feel safe seeking help. Key Takeaway Wellbeing challenges rarely appear overnight. Whether someone is experiencing stress, financial pressure, burnout, isolation, mental health challenges or physical health concerns, early support can make a significant difference. The most effective workplaces are not those that wait for a crisis to happen—they are the ones that create environments where people feel able to speak up, seek support and have meaningful conversations before problems escalate. Reflection for HR Professionals and Leaders As professionals who spend much of our time supporting others, it is important to remember that wellbeing applies to us too. Who supports the supporter? Who notices when you disappear? Who checks in on you? Creating healthy workplaces starts with creating healthy support systems for ourselves as well as for those around us. A simple reminder Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is: 📞 Pick up the phone. 🤝 Check in. 💬 Start a conversation. You may be closer to support, clarity, change and recovery than you think. 🎧 Listen now and revisit the key lessons from Episodes 75–78 of HR Voices. 📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #HRVoices #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAtWork #MentalWealth #FinancialWellbeing #PsychologicalSafety #PsychologicalHealth #MensHealth #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #HRProfessionals #PeopleProfessionals #HybridWorking #RemoteWorking #BurnoutPrevention #OccupationalHealth #WorkplaceCulture #HRCommunity #HRIndependents #PeopleManagement

    Episode 79: What We’ve Learned About Wellbeing at Work

  8. Jun 15

    BONUS EPISODE 78: Men's Health in the Workplace– Mental Health, Stress, Burnout & Early Intervention

    Host: Mary Asante Guest: Dr Mani Khan, Occupational Health Assessments In this special episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante is joined by occupational health specialist Dr Mani Khan to discuss one of the most important and often overlooked workplace topics: men's health. While workplace wellbeing is now a regular part of organisational conversations, many men still delay seeking support for both physical and mental health concerns. This can lead to increased stress, burnout, long-term sickness absence, and in some cases devastating outcomes for individuals, families and employers. Drawing on over 30 years of clinical and occupational health experience, Dr Khan shares practical insights into the health challenges affecting men today, the warning signs employers should recognise, and how managers, HR professionals and occupational health specialists can work together to support employees earlier and more effectively. In this episode, we discuss: Men's mental health in the workplace Stress, anxiety and depression at work Burnout and long-term sickness absence Presenteeism and hidden signs of distress Why men often delay asking for help Suicide awareness and men's mental health The role of occupational health in supporting employees Building supportive workplace cultures Psychological safety and employee wellbeing Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace health Cardiovascular health, diabetes and obesity Prostate cancer awareness and prevention Hybrid working, remote working and isolation The importance of manager check-ins and early intervention The Equality Act, reasonable adjustments and employee support Health promotion and wellbeing initiatives in the workplace Why this conversation matters Many health conditions affecting men are preventable, manageable or treatable when identified early. Whether it is stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions or prostate health, early conversations and proactive support can make a significant difference to both health outcomes and workplace performance. For HR professionals, managers and business leaders, this episode provides practical guidance on recognising warning signs, creating supportive workplace environments and helping employees access the right support before problems escalate. Dr Khan's key messages Men's health challenges are more common than many people realise. Regular health checks, healthy lifestyles and early intervention matter. Good health, wellbeing and work are interconnected — supporting the whole person leads to better outcomes at work and at home. A reminder for listeners If something doesn't feel right, don't wait. Whether you're concerned about your physical health, mental wellbeing, stress levels or burnout, seeking support early is one of the most important steps you can take. 🎧 Listen now and share with managers, HR professionals, business leaders, colleagues, friends and family. 📩 Questions or topics for future episodes? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk #MensHealth #MensHealthWeek #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #OccupationalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #MentalHealth #Burnout #StressManagement #HR #PeopleManagement #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #ProstateCancerAwareness #WorkplaceHealth #HRVoices

    BONUS EPISODE 78: Men's Health in the Workplace– Mental Health, Stress, Burnout & Early Intervention
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About

Welcome to the HR Voices Podcast, a podcast designed to bring the UK HR community and businesses together. The podcast will be informative, with lots of helpful tips and ideas to help you run your business. Being an HR Independent Consultant can be quite lonely. This is why HR Independents (HRi), the UK body for Independent HR and People professionals has created a home and community for HR Indies. The HR Voices podcast will be discussing hot topics relating to HR and business. This will support HR Independent and People Professionals and the businesses they support. We will be bringing you practical tips, expert views and your views. Join Mary Asante, the Chief Executive of HRi and their expert guests for engaging discussions. We would love to hear from you and for you to get more involved. If you have topics you would like us to discuss, contact us via hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk Learn more about HR Independents – HRi at: https://hrindependents.co.uk/about-us/ or connect with us on LinkedIn: hr independents linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hr-independents/ Hosts: www.linkedin.com/in/maryasante and https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-allfrey Success Together.

Information

  • Creator
    hrvoices
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    HR Voices Podcast