CIPD

Dealing with stress can place immense demands on employees’ physical and mental health. Our Health and Wellbeing at Work 2022 report emphasises the negative impact stress can have on productivity, with 79% of organisations reporting some stress-related absence over the last year. So, the idea that organisations could purposely generate or allow pressure and stress to raise employee performance sounds counterintuitive, right? Well, not necessarily.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Alexandra Lichtenfeld, Business Mentor at Client Matters, Dr Serra Pitts, Clinical Director at 87% Limited, and Alan Lambert, International Strategic HR Change Leader at TotalEnergies – as we explore the benefits of positive stress and why generating healthy levels of pressure can drive higher individual, team and organisation performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Organisations often invest large sums of money in learning and development opportunities for their people, but CIPD research finds that only a small minority are evaluating the wider impact on business or society (8%). Learning transfer – applying newly acquired knowledge and skills to real-life situations in the workplace – should be an integral part of the L&D process. So how can organisations measure whether their L&D programmes are having the desired impact?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Robert Brinkerhoff, Senior Research Adviser at Promote International, and David Hayden, Digital Learning Portfolio Manager at the CIPD – as we explore the benefits of measuring and evaluating learning transfer in your organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We need to cultivate a growth mindset”. It sounds motivating and uplifting, but what exactly does it mean, and just how aware are we of open and fixed mindsets? Research carried out by American psychologist, Carol Dweck, suggests that when organisations embrace and nurture an organisational culture which enables a growth mindset, employees feel more empowered and committed, while simultaneously offering far greater support for collaboration and innovation. So how can organisations shift their whole culture to support and cultivate a growth mindset?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Helen Deavin, Managing Director at Mathew Syed Consulting, and Isabel Duarte, Head of Leadership Development at Tucows – as we explore the science, benefits and pillars of nurturing a growth mindset in your organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether the ‘Great Resignation’ is a phenomenon supported by statistical evidence or not, the pandemic has prompted many to reassess what they want from their jobs. The battle to recruit and retain talent in these challenging times has been well documented, and if a workplace revolution is truly underway, employers need to be tuned in to what employees and potential employees really want. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Melanie Green, Research Adviser at CIPD, Josie Cox, Business Journalist, and Pete Thomas, Head of EVP and Brand at Department of International Trade – as we explore how employers might raise their employee value proposition and meet the demands of the post-pandemic labour market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rapid uptake of digital technology to deliver organisational learning during the pandemic has changed the L&D landscape forever. But as we move forward, how can organisations capitalise on the momentum to further embrace digital solutions and provide effective, engaging, immersive and safe learning experiences? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning and Development at CIPD, Gaelle Delmas-Watson, Founder at SyncSkills and Marco Faccini, Digital Learning Architect – as we discuss how people professionals can ensure that the use of technology, such video, webinars and mobile apps, continues to evolve and enrich employees’ professional development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motivation can be defined as a desire or willingness to do something, but would you be able to tell that your team or an individual is struggling with motivation? Many of us may be feeling tired, overloaded and overworked and while the monotony of heading to the kitchen table can equally take its toll, what is the cost of doing nothing when it comes to tackling the challenges of low motivation?Join our podcast presenter Nigel Cassidy, Perry Timms, Founder and Chief Energy Officer at People and Transformational HR (PTHR), Chris Shambrook, Director at PlanetK2 and Sally Hopper, HR Director at Hertfordshire County Council, as we explore the art of motivation and how people leaders and managers can help stimulate and reinvigorate their workforce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is little doubt that social media use can prove valuable for engaging customers and enhancing brand image. But, as the ongoing impact of the pandemic and challenges presented by choppy Brexit waters intensify the competition for talent, can leveraging social media platforms for creative and innovative recruitment practices give your organisation the edge? Join our podcast presenter Nigel Cassidy, Cassandra Hoermann, People Experience Lead at Personio and David D’Souza, Director of Membership at CIPD, as we explore how you can make social media an effective tool to tackle your recruitment challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are outdated and ineffective learning models holding your organisation back? CIPD research found that less than half of L&D practitioners are integrating new learning concepts into practice. Theories about effective learning, together with insights from behavioural science and neuroscience, can inform and shape the design of effective and engaging learning. Yet, wrapping your brain around all these theories can feel overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start.Join our podcast presenter Nigel Cassidy, Michelle Parry-Slater, Commercial Content Learning Manager at CIPD and Carl Crisostomo, Digital Learning Consultant at Carl Learns, as we delve into the world of learning theory and find out how it can breathe new life into your organisation’s L&D programme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Organisations are significant contributors to the causes of climate change with businesses responsible for an estimated 17% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. While averting a planetary crisis is reason enough to act with urgency, there is also a compelling business case for doing so. So, what role must business leaders and people professionals play in embedding environmental sustainability within their organisation and what are the consequences of taking no action at all?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Dr Jan Maskell, Business Psychologist; James Robey, Global Head of Corporate Sustainability at Capgemini; and George May, Managing Director at Bio-Bean – as we explore how your organisation (regardless of size), can be proactive in delivering real change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Organisations must constantly adapt to an everchanging environment. This may include evolving customer demands, new technologies, increased competition, and even a global crisis. Many have negotiated their way through the pandemic by reflex – adjusting practices on the fly to align with government guidance and the latest developments. But as we look to build for the longer term, does change management require a different approach? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Melanie Franklin, Founder and Principal of Agile Change and Nick Williams, change management expert and CIPD Board Member, as we discuss change implementation, the behavioural barriers, and how people professionals can lead and help organisations to embrace change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the face of the global pandemic, learning professionals have had to adjust swiftly to sweeping changes to how people work and connect and critically rethink learning delivery. However, a high level of uncertainty remains about what the future holds, with just 18% of organisations expecting learning strategy, investment, and resourcing to return to pre-pandemic levels.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, David Hayden, Digital Learning Portfolio Manager at the CIPD and Stella Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Learning officer at Stellar Labs, as we explore how learning practice adapted to overcome pandemic-induced challenges and to seize the opportunity for rethinking learning, to better fulfil the requirements of changing organisations. --------Stella Collins MSc FITOL is co-founder and Chief Learning Officer at Stellar Labs, one of the Brain Ladies and the author of ‘Neuroscience for Learning and Development’. She has a clear understanding of the challenges faced by organisations in upskilling and reskilling their people, especially with digital change being so high on the agenda. Stella and her team pragmatically apply principles from neuroscience and psychology to consult, design and build practical performance focused solutions with measurable ROI. She has trained thousands of learning professionals in brain-friendly principles over more than 20 years in L&D.www.stellarlabs.eu | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellacollins/Book: Neuroscience for Learning and Development https://www.koganpage.com/product/neuroscience-for-learning-and-development-9780749493264 Course: 6th July - ‘Transform your learning culture’ https://get.stellarlabs.eu/learning-culture-crash-course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the human brain wired for a digital working? Virtual platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams are instrumental in bridging the communications gap between homeworkers, but how can we set healthy boundaries for digital tools, so they don’t fuel harmful working practices? With the expected rise in hybrid working and the impending return to the workplace, healthy, sustainable implementation is key, and identifying stress factors will help keep digital fatigue at bay.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Jonny Gifford, Senior Advisor for Organisational Behaviour at CIPD, Nilufar Ahmed, Lecturer in Social Sciences at the University of Bristol, and Marc Weedon, Sr. Director of Human Resources at Zuora, as we explore the pitfalls of working in a digital context, and how to foster a healthy relationship with communication tools for future work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pandemic has accelerated the evolution of the workplace, perhaps years before many organisations were ready to take the leap. But as we begin our recovery from the pandemic businesses will have a big decision to make. Do we want to return to a ‘tweaked’ version of normality or are organisations prepared to map out a bold new vision for how we work and better utilise the physical workplace?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, David D’Souza, Membership Director at CIPD, Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive at Demos, and Rachel King, People Director at Camelot, as we explore how business can reimagine and modernise three key elements of work; the physical workplace, working practices and working relationships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we too busy to learn? Is there a strong case for L&D in a cost-conscious environment? There is increasing demand on organisational departments to justify their spending and deliver measurable value. As a result, there is a steadily growing trend for L&D teams to present evidence-based practice to demonstrate growth and impact. Without tangible evidence, it is becoming increasingly harder for L&D professionals to inform strategic decision making or budget considerations. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning at the CIPD, Laura Overton, co-creator of Emerging Stronger, and Owen Ferguson, Chief Product Officer at Emerald Works, to hear how L&D professionals are moving to adopt evidence-based practice that drives forward impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it time to tear up the HR playbook? Should the people profession be less fixated on rules, and instead, lead by principles? We are seeing seismic shifts in the world of work, not just in what our physical workplace looks like, but in what our expectations of work are. But is the people profession – so frequently labelled ‘risk-averse’ – ready to step up, release the handbrake and seize the opportunity to drive organisations forward and make progress where it’s needed?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Yetunde Hofmann, Managing Director at Synchrony Development Consulting, Caroline Parsons, HR Director and Director of Shared Services at WSP Middle East, and Geoff Trickey, Managing Director at PCL, as we explore how people practitioners can take well-calculated risks and seize opportunities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past 12 months many organisations in the UK and across the globe switched to survival mode. Whether that was due to a sudden surge in demand for key services or having to adapt operations as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, no business remained unscathed. One thing that is abundantly clear is that our working lives will not be returning to ‘normal’. The pandemic presented an opportunity for employees to reconsider how they work and whether it’s conducive to work-life balance. But are organisations prepared to make the necessary changes that contribute towards building a braver, fairer and more equal world?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Neil Morrison, Group HR Director at Severn Trent PLC, Deborah Lee, Group Engagement Director, Compass Group and Brad Taylor, Director of People at CIPD, as we take our first steps into 2021 and explore the key anticipated shifts in people practice as we recover and rebuild better and fairer organisations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last year or so there has been growing debate and conversation around the benefits of soft skills in the workplace and the essential or core skills we will increasingly need. The events of 2020 have prompted greater shows of empathy, teamwork and problem solving, but can getting these ‘softer’ skills right pay dividends in the long-term and do we need to value these skills more within our organisations?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Rebekah Wallis, Director of People and Corporate Responsibility at Ricoh UK, Phil Lowe, Leadership Development Specialist and Lizzie Crowley, Senior Skills Adviser at CIPD, to unpack how a greater emphasis on nurturing, utilising and measuring the effectiveness of soft skills can benefit your organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have the right learning culture to nurture your people? What are the tell-tale signs you have developed a strong environment for learning in your organisation? Creating a supportive learning environment is imperative to ensuring employees have the right capabilities to adapt and respond to challenges in the right way. While 98% of learning and development practitioners would seek to do this, CIPD research reveals only a third feel they have achieved this feat.Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Gavin McQuillan, NatWest and Mel Green, CIPD, to unpack what you need to do to instil a positive learning culture in your organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Due to the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic, many organisations feel unprepared for incoming immigration changes brought about by Brexit. Priorities have shifted, and the onset of COVID-19 put workforce planning on the back burner. In what ways can organisations prepare for Brexit, and how will new migration restrictions impact their future plans?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Marina Fernandez-Reino, The Migration Observatory, Ian Robinson, Fragomen and Gerwyn Davies, CIPD, to understand the true cost of post-Brexit recruitment and the importance of workforce planning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over a quarter of people say their alcohol consumption has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Yet recent CIPD research has found a fifth of businesses don’t offer proactive support to employees for drug and alcohol misuse. So at what point do concerns of drug and alcohol misuse become an issue for employers and how can people professionals and line managers best support their teams?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests, Professor Dame Carol Black, Simon Jones and Dr Jill Miller, as they look beyond the stigma of alcohol and drug misuse and discuss why organisations need to prioritise it as a health and wellbeing issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few would argue against the beneficial role technology has played as an enabler of work, especially now, as we continue to face disruption to both work and working life as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there a point when the implementation of technology crosses a line? Workforce surveillance and employee monitoring is a topic of contention, but is it something we all just need to get used to?Join Nigel Cassidy and this months’ guests, Edward Houghton, Dr Stephanie Hare and Daniel Sharaiha, to discuss the benefits and risks of employee monitoring and where the boundaries between work and private life lie? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The global Black Lives Matter movement has shone a stark spotlight on the need for society and organisations to stop, reflect and acknowledge where they need to start making changes. While laws and changing social norms have helped to make overt and blatant racism unacceptable, a shake-up in working practice and systemic culture is required. And that will only happen if we all take ownership of the issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction. At a time when it’s crucial we come together and strengthen our relationships, albeit virtually, inconsequential disagreements or a mishandled conversation can bubble up into unpleasant or even toxic situations. While being able to ‘manage’ conflict is a necessary skill for individuals and the modern workplace, is there a healthy and progressive side of conflict that can be channelled into success?Join Nigel Cassidy and this months’ guests, Amy Gallo, Contributing Editor at Harvard Business Review; Clive Lewis, OBE and CEO of Globis Mediation Group and Rachel Suff, Senior Employee Relations Adviser at CIPD, to learn about the key causes of negative conflict, strategies for diffusing workplace flare-ups and how we can encourage constructive and progressive workplace conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before coronavirus struck, mental-ill health was the number one cause of long-term sickness absence among UK workers. Current lockdown restrictions are likely to have exacerbated these conditions for many, and this poses a real challenge for managers who are expected to look after the health and well-being of their teams.Join Andrea Winfield, HR Director at Microsoft, Professor Neil Greenberg, Professor of Defence Mental Health at Kings College, and Rachel Suff, Senior Employee Relations Adviser at CIPD to learn how managers can have confident and sensitive well-being conversations to support the mental and physical well-being of their remote teams, and crucially what employers need to consider as the UK plans for an eventual return to the workplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have heard many times before that we are operating in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world and few would argue that current developments aren’t case in point. The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is without question testing businesses on an unprecedented scale. But having a well-designed organisation to respond flexibly and rapidly is only half the battle. Some organisations are having to rework their business models to deliver outside-the-box-offerings, while many others are grappling with the challenge of business continuity. Join Jaimini Lakhani, Director at Lumiere Consulting, David Frost, Director of OD at Total Produce and Peter Cheese, Chief Executive at CIPD to discover how organisations can and should respond to the coronavirus crisis, and vitally, how you can support your workforce through this difficult period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traditional organisation development [OD] skills are becoming increasingly embedded within the DNA across all aspects of people profession today – this is highlighted in the new Profession Map from the CIPD. In what way, then, can OD practice be integrated throughout the people practice ecosystem? How can people practitioners adopt traditional OD roles and responsibilities in their workplace?Join Dr Linda Holbeche, co-director of The Holbeche Partnership, and Caroline Nugent, HR Director at the Financial Ombudsman, as they delve into the role of organisation architects and OD professionals whose job is to explore the ways organisations can benefit from OD practice, and the key challenges they may face in doing so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are currently 5 million workers in the UK (1 in 7 of the workforce) juggling work with care responsibilities. That number is set to increase. Working carers say their responsibility for another causes significant worry and anxiety, so much so, that it can feel like being a ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’. Employers should start developing an understanding and awareness of the issue, in order to provide the best support and retain valuable employees.Join Katherine Wilson, Head of Employment, Carers UK and Claire McCartney, Senior Policy Adviser, CIPD as we explore the impact of caring responsibilities on workers and what measures employers can put in place to better support their working carers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new year presents new challenges, but what are the key business issues your organisation should prepare for? From providing support and stability to employees following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, to tackling workplace inequality and addressing diversity and inclusion at all levels of business, our guests discuss the crucial topics set to change the landscape of work.Join business journalist Josie Cox and CIPD’s David D’Souza and Edward Houghton as they ponder the year ahead, explore what organisations need to prepare for and offer top tips to help you tackle these key business issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Critical thinking is a key skill for HR and all people professionals - it is the ability think well and to critically reflect on the ideas, opinions and arguments of others. It can help us solve complex problems and make better decisions, bringing clarity to confusion. and increasing our potential to succeed when others look to us and our teams for answers that work. Join Warren Howlett and Tim Coburn discussing why critical thinking is important, and how you can learn to reason well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The concept of “learning in-the-flow of work”, coined by Josh Bersin, is a simple notion; learners can access learning at their point of need in the workplace. See Bersin’s article “A New Paradigm For Corporate Training: Learning In The Flow of Work” (Bersin, 2018) available at: https://joshbersin.com/2018/06/a-new-paradigm-for-corporate-training-learning-in-the-flow-of-work/. He cites the 2018 LinkedIn Learning survey of over 4000 L&D leaders and business professionals that highlighted the biggest barrier to learning is that employees simply don’t have enough time for learning; respondents want to learn at their own pace (58%) and in-the-flow of work (49%) (LinkedIn, 2018). This is further supported by Towards Maturity’s “Learner Voice” research (Towards Maturity, 2016) which found that 91% of learners want to learn at their own pace. See https://towardsmaturity.org/2016/11/03/learner-voice-part-3/.However, learning in-the-flow of work requires learning practitioners to design and facilitate learning close to the workface and that requires new thinking and tactics. We can no longer rely on “the course”.Andy Lancaster, Head of Learning at CIPD, David James, Chief Learning Officer at Looop Learning, and Kate Graham, Head Of Content at Fosway Group discuss this and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neurodiversity refers to the fact that all our brains function differently. In the workplace it’s an essential area of diversity and inclusion that refers to alternative thinking styles, including autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. Without an appreciation of neurodiverse conditions and considering how individuals can be enabled to perform at their best at work, employers will miss out on the sought-after skills of a large talent pool and potentially neglect a significant proportion of their customer base.In this episode, Margaret Malpas, Vice President of the British Dyslexia Association, and the CIPD’s Diversity and Inclusion Adviser, Dr Jill Miller, explain why it’s so important for employers to understand neurodiversity. They also share ideas on how to create a neurodiversity-friendly workplace where people with alternative thinking styles can thrive. Kirsty Wilson, Lead International Job Coach at Auticon, an IT consultancy that exclusively hires adults on the autism spectrum, gives insights and practical examples of how to create an inclusive environment where people can fully use their talents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All listed companies in the UK with more than 250 people must now report the ratio between their CEO pay and the median pay of their employees. But will that make much difference to the widening gap, and are big, complex reward packages, much of a motivator anyway?In this podcast, our speakers discuss the existing models of executive pay and incentive plans, what motivates top earners and the importance of fairness in reward, as well as the future role of Remuneration Committees. We hear from Sandy Pepper, Professor of Management Practice at the London School , Professor of Management Practice at the London School of Economics, Charles Cotton, CIPD’s Senior Adviser Pay and Reward, and Julia Hanna of Verditer Consulting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many organisations still shy away from this important combined business practice and HR led strategy as it can appear to be too complicated a task. This podcast encourages organisations of all sizes to start small and build on the data and analysis that will inform the practices and key skills required for talent acquisition and management, succession planning and change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast we explore how organisations can support ethical behaviour at work through their people management practices, job design, and through building ethics into the way they do business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fads, anecdotes, fake news and gut instinct aren't reliable tools for HR practitioners. In this episode we explore evidence-based practice, and discuss what it is, how it works, and why it is important for people professionals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing segment of the workforce, and most will go through the menopause transition during their working lives. For every ten women experiencing menopausal symptoms, six say it has a negative impact on their work. Yet it remains a taboo topic in many workplaces. Women will continue to suffer in silence unless we break the stigma and start talking openly about the menopause at work. In this episode Deborah Garlick, from Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace and the CIPD’s Senior Employment Relations Adviser, Rachel Suff share their ideas and insights. We also hear from Janet Trowse at Network Rail who has first-hand experience of working within an organisation that does all it can to support menopausal women in the workplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flexible working includes various working arrangements such as part time, flexitime, compressed hours and working from home to name but a few. With UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s support the Flexible Working Taskforce was established to widen the availability and take-up of flexible working and is chaired by the CIPD. In this episode we’ll explore the work of the Taskforce and the CIPD’s investigations into flexible working including design, availability, visibility, and productivity. We capture ideas and insights from Peter Cheese and Claire McCartney from the CIPD, Kamal Shergill, Dan Kieran, Christine Armstrong, and Margaret Heffernan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past few years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of high profile bullying and harassment claims across industries and sectors, from daily newspapers and multinational corporations to government bodies. With scrutiny high and both employees and consumers demanding more transparent practice, it is essential that HR teams have appropriate policies, processes, and practices in place. In this episode we talk to Julie Dennis at ACAS about how you can best handle harassment claims, and to the CIPD's Head of Public Policy Ben Willmott about the future of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s business landscape, as new scandals occur with increasing regularity, the concepts of trust and reputation are growing ever greater in importance. Organisations are finding that they must be more transparent and accountable to engage and retain their customers and to attract the best talent. Building trust both outside and within an organisation is now essential to business success. In this first episode of 2019 we explore trust and human connection in today’s workplaces. What benefits can pursuing them bring to a company and what challenges do they present? What role do people professionals play in developing this culture and embedding it throughout their own organisations? And how can they model these behaviours in their own day-to-day work? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world of business is becoming increasingly complex and as a result businesses themselves are adding complexity to their structures, processes and systems. This can often act as a blocker to the factors of business success like innovation, engagement and ultimately productivity. So how do businesses and their people stay agile in a complicated environment? Many organisations have taken inspiration from the world of tech and increasingly people professionals are using techniques such as agile working, sprints, and scrum or squad working to achieve their goals and complete projects. But is it for everyone?In this episode we talk to three HR and L&D specialists about what it means for an organisation to be ‘agile’ in today’s business world. We discuss the increasing complexity of business structures and look at simple steps for empowering employees to work collaboratively. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots aren’t taking over our jobs just yet, but automation is already augmenting many roles. Much of the current discussion on how new technology stands to change the world of work is limited. Debates typically centre on the extent to which humans are going to be ‘replaced’ or which jobs or tasks are most at risk of automation. This narrative is driven by the assumption that all we care about is productivity and since machines are seen to be much more efficient with the potential to make better decisions than humans – it can only lead to one conclusion. But in a world that is more connected than ever before – individuals are increasingly feeling isolated and desire human interaction.This episode explores how people and technologies can augment each other in the workplace, through a series of case studies, providing important food for thought for both organisations and individuals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the people profession evolves to meet the needs of a changing business landscape, HR and L&D teams are becoming far more integrated throughout their organisations, working closely with different functions and using their professional skills and knowledge to improve business performance. In this episode we talk to CIPD’s own Director of people, Brad Taylor, as well as Kate Griffiths-Lambeth, HRD at Charles Stanley, along with her CEO and COO, to find out how their teams go about working with a range of different business areas and the importance they place on integrating the HR and L&D functions throughout the organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the changing context of work, performance and productivity are key considerations for organisations of every size. Today’s L&D teams play a vital role in helping organisations to address these issues. In order to do so, learning must be embedded at the heart of their businesses and this may mean a significant shift in learning culture. L&D teams must seek to revolutionise their approach if they are to drive productivity and performance in their organisations.In this episode we explore the latest research from Towards Maturity which looks at L&D in high performing organisations and how they are able to achieve astounding improvements in their performance and productivity. We discuss the role L&D practitioners, senior leaders and managers play in driving these changes and challenges they may face. And we hear from an organisation that has already implemented many of the recommendations from the research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-directed learning is nothing new. As early as 1840, self-development has been celebrated and today, with the rise of new technologies and social platforms, self-directed learning is more accessible and relevant than ever before. So why are many organisations resistant to the idea of self-directed learning? Self-directed learning represents a move away from traditional, class-room based learning, empowering individuals to take charge of their own learning needs. It allows learners to proceed at their own pace, according to their own needs and in a style that suits them. However, it is not without its challenges.In this episode we explore what self-directed learning looks like in today’s organisations and what challenges and opportunities it offers for both the individuals and their businesses. We ask how L&D professionals can best support self-directed learners and what conditions are necessary for self-directed learning to be successful in an organisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The practice of organisational design and development is changing and its profile is growing in the world of work and HR. Organisations are looking to OD experts - and sometimes HR professionals with only limited OD expertise - to help them resolve the many and varied challenges they face. But there's confusion about what OD is and some questionable truths about OD often go unchallenged. Together those issues can create significant organisational risk.In this episode, we talk to OD experts Dr Naomi Stanford, Sadie Sharp, Gary Cookson and Warren Howlett about how OD is changing, what it can do and the role that HR can play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The business and ethical case for diversity is clear and well established and today we’re seeing notable progress on gender. However, research shows that we’re still not seeing the same pace of change in racial equality at work. While one in eight of the working-age population is from a BAME background, this group still only holds one in sixteen of the top management positions. Despite governmental and business focus we are failing to make a meaningful and lasting impact.So what is holding organisations back? In this episode we hear clips from an event in which senior HR professionals discuss why they believe progress remains slow and why we find it so difficult to talk about race. We also hear from television broadcaster June Sarpong MBE and CIPD’s Membership Director David D’Souza as they discuss what organisations and HR can do to support and encourage change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recruitment is a fundamental process for every organisation. Get it right and it can strengthen company culture, improve productivity and performance, and positively impact well-being and diversity. Get it wrong and the negative effects can be far-reaching for individuals, teams and organisations. So how do HR professionals ensure that their recruitment processes are fair and unbiased and so attract the best talent? In this episode we talk to three HR experts about the impact of unconscious bias on recruitment. We look at how unconscious bias can creep into to any decision-making process and offer advice on what HR and managers can do to address the effects of unconscious bias in their organisations, particularly at the point of recruitment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the connection between productivity and engagement? It’s a key question for organisations and much debated in the HR community. Do engaged employees always work harder, smarter or more efficiently? Does a productive worker always mean an engaged worker? Can you measure the relationship between productivity and engagement?In this episode we look at both sides of the engagement/productivity debate. We explore the evidence that links the two and we discuss the many ways in which engagement (high or low) can impact an organisation. We also offer advice for HR professionals on assessing their own companies’ engagement levels and tips on getting a better understanding of the productivity and engagement relationship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s not a week that goes by where the spotlight isn't being shone on corporate governance, from the collapse of Carillion to sexual harassment at work and the latest President’s Club scandal. In the wake of the 25-year anniversary of the Cadbury’s Corporate Governance Code the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched a new consultation on the code. In this episode we ask what’s gone wrong with corporate governance in the UK? How do we create a better system for the future? And what opportunities do we have now to encourage Board practice to be more progressive and ethical in nature – from a human capital governance model, to a new remuneration committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of our cyber security double-bill, we take a closer look at an area of increasing concern: recruitment fraud. Between September 2015 and September 2016 over 1200 instances of recruitment scams were identified, costing victims an estimated £500,000. With individuals losing out, and organisations and the recruitment industry facing increasing reputational damage, we discuss the factors contributing to the rise in these cases. We’ll hear from experts at SaferJobs, Cifas and CIPD on what to look out for and the steps businesses and HR professionals can take to protect themselves and others against recruitment fraud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.