The rapid acceleration of change has left many organisations grappling with the most immediate requirements, but people professionals also have an instrumental role to play in demonstrating necessary upskilling strategies and transforming the skills required for future long-term success. So, what can they do to avoid falling into a familiar cycle of tackling the urgent but neglecting the important? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests: Human Resources Director at Government Property Agency, Martin Keeler; Chief Marketing Officer at Udemy, Genefa Murphy; and Tom Ravenscroft, Founder and CEO at The Skills Builder Partnership, as we explore – standing at the precipice of revolutionary technological change – what you need to consider when it comes to implementing a successful upskilling strategy, and ensure your organisation is future-fit.

How prepared is your organisation to support employees through a crisis event? Can employers ensure their supply chains are fully ethical? Should politics and work ever mix? And what’s behind the spooky rise of ‘ghost jobs’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by David Bearfield, Director of the Office of Human Resources at the United Nations Development Programme; Berna Öztınaz, President of the European Association of People Management and CHRO at Genel Energy Plc; and Pete Collyer, consultant and former Chief People Officer at Ted Baker. This episode was recorded live at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition. Recorded 7 November 2024

What does a wellbeing-focused work environment really look like, and how involved should employers be to ensure their workforce can live healthy working lives? Should all employers pay the recently uprated Living Wage, and how can you support your people if paying the voluntary Real Living Wage is simply unaffordable? Finally, are your colleagues working as much as they appear, or are they showing classic signs of ‘fauxductivity’? CIPD’s People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith discusses these questions and more with David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting, and Elizabeth Harvey, Head of HR at HSBC. Recorded 25 October 2024

The UK Government has proposed the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation. What will this mean for employers and people professionals? Our panel reflects on the Employment Rights Bill announcement, examining the potential impact of the provisions, such as removing the two-year qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal, probation period changes, ending ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts and the role of a new, single enforcement body, the Fair Work Agency. CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Carl Quilliam, CIPD Public Affairs Manager; Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; Gareth Neale, Head of HR at Crimson Hotels Limited; and Oonagh Johnston, Group People Director at Vesty Holdings Limited. Recorded: 11 October 2024

It’s widely recognised that developing a psychologically safe working environment can significantly enhance both individual and organisational performance. However, while organisations seek to reap these benefits in the long term, the immediate challenge is to cultivate a culture of psychological safety from which these benefits can grow. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests: Chartered Psychologist, podcast host and Founder of Zircon Consulting, Dr Amanda Potter; Leadership Coach, Phil Lowe; and Theni Paramaguru, Senior Adviser – Future of the People Profession at CIPD, as we explore how organisations can foster, measure and fundamentally maintain psychological safety in the workplace.

Are RoboCop-style security guards and AI accountants a glimpse of the future of work? Are longer hours more likely to be the norm, especially if you want to progress in your career? What are the differing perceptions and attitudes of a multigenerational workforce and how is this giving rise to the purported trend of ‘conscious un-bossing’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; Jo Carlin, senior VP HR Europe and global head of inclusion and diversity at Firstsource; and Caroline Roberts, associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust. Recorded: 27 September 2024

Is free water really an ‘employee benefit’? Would you track employees' working locations to enforce stricter hybrid working policies? And would you turn a blind eye to ‘shadow policies’? In this episode, we debate these questions and also discuss the preventative measures organisations should take to reduce the risk of sexual harassment incidents in the workplace. CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Danny Mortimer, chief executive at NHS Employers; Janet Campbell, director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority; and CIPD People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith. Recorded: 13 September 2024

How often have we taken a course or acquired some knowledge, only to have those skills lie dormant, before being forgotten as there was no immediate use? Would it be more sensible to move learning closer to or at the point of when the skills or knowledge are needed, and if so, how can learning professionals better anticipate and create learning to be ready at the point of user need? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests: Teresa Rose, award winning learning consultant and founder of ConsultHer and Seb Tindall, director of strategic enablement at Vitality, as we question why morning learning isn’t available ‘on tap’ – at the point when people need it most?

Tune in to the latest episode of the HR People Pod, where our panel assesses the impact of the so-called ‘Great Retention’ and considers whether a period of stability is beneficial for organisations. We discuss how business leaders may be facing an uphill battle as employees become more sceptical of organisational direction, and also if the idea of ‘Office Peacocking’ ruffle any feathers? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Jon Dawson, chief people officer at Lore Group; Jo Carlin, senior VP HR Europe and global head of inclusion and diversity at Firstsource; and Jane-Emma Peerless, director of people at Caxton. Recorded: 30 August 2024

In the latest episode of the HR People Pod, our panel reflects on the recent riots in the UK, the conflicts happening globally and the effects they have in the workplace. We also get to grips with the rising use of generative AI by job applicants, the gender mix within the profession, and the concept of ‘quiet vacationing’ – another media catchphrase or a real phenomenon? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Caroline Roberts, associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, and Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager – resourcing, inclusion and talent management at CIPD. Recorded: 16 August 2024

Would you share salary information on a job advert? In the latest episode of the HR People Pod, our panel challenges organisations to be more transparent with pay, explores the rise of the ‘workation’, how sadly commonplace bullying and incivility is at work, and tips to improve social mobility in your organisation. CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Janet Campbell, director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority, Garin Rouch, OD consultant at Distinction Business Consulting, and Woosh Raza, Director of People at NCVO. Recorded: 02 August 2024