The HR Issue

Reward Gateway | Edenred

Welcome to our new podcast, The HR Issue, which sets out to explore the ever-evolving world of work and shine a light on the key challenges and influences on people teams in the UK. From navigating budget cuts and fighting for DE&I to driving employee engagement and building an organisational culture of appreciation, each season will focus on a critical issue and the tools we need to navigate the path ahead. Brought to you by Reward Gateway | Edenred Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Food for Thought: How Nutrition Affects Our Wellbeing

    09/23/2025

    Food for Thought: How Nutrition Affects Our Wellbeing

    What we eat has a huge impact on our physical health, the energy we have, and our mental wellbeing. This ultimately plays a part in shaping the individual that we bring to our personal and professional lives. But we often overlook what our brains need in terms of nutrition to support sleep, mental health and overall cognitive function.    Chris will be joined by Kimberley Wilson, a chartered psychologist with a master’s degree in nutrition and the author of How to Build a Healthy Brain (2020) and Unprocessed: How the Food We Eat is Fuelling our Mental Health Crisis (2023) to discuss the psychological impact of nutrition in our personal and professional lives.     Chris and Kimberley will explore:     How nutrition plays a crucial role in reinforcing physical wellness and forging mental strength and resilience Why a balanced diet offers the building blocks of nutrients that our brains need to produce serotonin, dopamine, citicoline and other brain chemicals The power of “brain food”, what it looks like and how to find it in a world where 50% of the UK adult average calorie count is coming from ultra-processed foods. The responsibility of employers to promote a culture of positive nutrition amongst their workforces How HR can offer education on nutrition and improve access to “brain foods” in a hybrid working environment   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  2. Mindful Movement through the Working Day

    09/09/2025

    Mindful Movement through the Working Day

    The role that fitness has on reinforcing positive mental health, through the release of endorphins, reduction of stress and even alleviation of symptoms of anxiety and depression, is undeniable. But with 46% of UK employees feeling unsupported by their employer when it comes to physical wellbeing, organisations clearly need to be doing more to support the health of their people.     Chris Britton will be joined by medical doctor, yoga teacher and breathwork and meditation coach, Dr Rebekah Lawrence, to discuss the transformative power of fitness in cultivating a strong and positive mindset amongst teams. They will also address the necessity for employers to provide education, resources and a supportive culture that prioritises the physical health of every member of their workforce, inclusive of disabilities and specific needs.     Chris and Rebekah will dive into:  The role of exercise and movement in nerve regulation, pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement and boosting all-round health Steps businesses can take to create a workspace and environment that caters for the physical needs of its people  The education and resources that can unlock a passion and commitment to physical health within a workforce How organisations can ensure their wellbeing programmes are inclusive of those with disabilities and specific physical needs The effectiveness of breaking down exercise into ‘snack-sized’ segments and the need for protected wellbeing timeslots that fit neatly around the working day  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  3. Money Talks, So Why Don’t We Do the Same?

    08/26/2025

    Money Talks, So Why Don’t We Do the Same?

    Money can be a taboo subject amongst family and friends, but with only 6% of Brits feeling comfortable enough to discuss financial anxiety with their colleagues or managers, it’s no surprise that many employees are suffering in silence. Providing benefits to extend people’s salaries is almost expected of employers in 2025 but going above and beyond that to offer financial education and put a system in place that supports long-term financial health is absolutely crucial as we continue to battle the heightened cost of living.    Chris will be joined by Phoebe Matthews, Community Engagement Specialist at nudge, to discuss:   The link between financial wellbeing and mental health - the cost of not talking and how suffering in silence can exacerbate both  Breaking analysis paralysis and the familiar pattern of debt, anxiety, money mismanagement and overspending  The financial needs of the multigenerational workforce and the provision of education around student loans, mortgages, investing and other financial decisions  How can we create a welcoming environment with sensible boundaries for employees to talk about with their managers and HR teams?  Building a digital space for self-help that removes the perceived stigma of needing financial support  The key tools HR teams and managers can use to offer support for financial stress and debt in the workplace   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  4. Shaking up Wellbeing for the Blended Workforce

    08/12/2025

    Shaking up Wellbeing for the Blended Workforce

    With many UK companies now employing a blend of full-time, part-time and contingent workers, working across in-person, remote or hybrid roles, the challenge for employers to support the wellbeing of each and every individual has never been higher. And at a time when 1 in 3 UK employees experiences loneliness and disconnection at work, it’s been proven that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work when there’s too many moving parts. So how can HR look to offer personalised wellbeing support at a time when our teams are working apart?    Join Chris Britton, People Experience Director and Michelle Hartley, Founder of People Sorted and the HR Geek Squad, as they explore:    The upsides and drawbacks of each mode of work on an individual’s wellbeing, the levels of Zoom fatigue and “the dark side of remote”  Building and shaping a digital environment that can substitute for the physical in connecting remote and hybrid teams  The necessity for managers to lead by example, strive for better and adopt a personalised approach to wellbeing  How to build and shape a physical office culture that supports wellbeing and replicate this to your online locations  The power of giving choice to your people to look after their wellbeing, empowering them no matter their age, career stage and responsibilities   How to show true appreciation for individuals with a holistic approach to wellbeing   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

About

Welcome to our new podcast, The HR Issue, which sets out to explore the ever-evolving world of work and shine a light on the key challenges and influences on people teams in the UK. From navigating budget cuts and fighting for DE&I to driving employee engagement and building an organisational culture of appreciation, each season will focus on a critical issue and the tools we need to navigate the path ahead. Brought to you by Reward Gateway | Edenred Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.