During the Covid-19 lockdowns we all gained a renewed appreciation for frontline workers – healthcare professionals in particular, but also delivery drivers and supermarket staff. So why do we pay some of those doing jobs with arguably the most real-world impact the least? Should we pay them more, or would this lead to unintended economic consequences? Academics Zeynep Ton and Julian Jessop discuss.

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‘Unconscious bias’ has not enjoyed the best of reputations over the last few years, with much training labelled ineffective, and concerns around the concept being used to justify what is actually fully conscious, overt prejudice. So is it just fact that everyone is biassed on a purely subconscious level? And if so, what should HR and EDI professionals do about it? Academics Keon West and Pragya Agarwal advise. 

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To become a farrier (fitting horseshoes) in the UK, there is a legal requirement to have certain qualifications or experience and to register with a regulatory body before practising. No such requirement exists for HR – but should it? The CIPD’s David D’Souza and ‘father of HR’ Dave Ulrich explore what the advantages – and disadvantages – of more direct, explicit professional oversight might be.

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Rules drawn up by ITV following the Phillip Schofield scandal mean staff must now declare all workplace relationships – including friendships – to the broadcaster or risk losing their jobs. But is such a system workable in practice? And might it have a chilling effect on positive working relations? Organisational psychologist Susan Hetrick and friendship app founder Claudia Gård explore how HR should approach this perennially knotty topic. 

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Many people’s lives now feel fully ‘back to normal’ several years after Covid-19 lockdowns, almost as if the pandemic never happened... But should the possibility of another deadly virus be more heavily factored into how workplaces organise themselves, and how businesses approach risk management? And what other ‘unexpected’ events should also be on our radars, ask academics Cassandra Berry and David Alexander.  

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Some of today’s most high-profile leaders make no secret of micro dosing – the practice of ingesting small amounts of psychedelic substances to enhance creativity and leadership. Could this one day become the norm in workplaces? And what are the dangers? Business leader and psychedelics-for-wellbeing advocate Sandra Statz and Imperial College London professor David Nutt discuss.

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Many might be unaware that the pandemic led to the greatest ever surge in billionaire wealth globally. So is it time to take steps towards wealth redistribution? Or would doing so put the brakes on the ambition and vision that creates jobs and opportunities for everyone? Financial journalist David Bain and angel investor and Patriotic Millionaire UK member Julia Davies discuss.  

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Is calling for an individual or institution to be boycotted ever justified, or productive? Or do we just need to grow thicker skins against offensive comments, if we want to protect free speech? And what about those from less privileged, diverse backgrounds trying to avoid triggering content? Work. puts all this to HR director Neil Morrison and founder of freespeechunion.org Toby Young 

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Have the people of this country – as Michael Gove had it back in 2016 – simply had enough of experts? HR leader Amanda Arrowsmith and AI expert Rob McCargow explore how the notion of expertise is being impacted by technology, societal norms and polarising viewpoints. And what that means for work, skills and the functioning of society at large.

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In the wake of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, many are trying desperately to expect the unexpected – to anticipate the next ‘unthinkable’ global crisis. But are there bigger threats to worry about in relation to China – most notably security- and surveillance-related? Work. puts this all to academic Rana Mitter and former diplomat Charlie Parton.

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In a world of work that looks very different to even five or 10 years ago, is employment legislation in the UK fit for purpose? Do any regulations stifle growth for smaller businesses especially, or do they provide necessary protection for workers and bosses alike? Professor Len Shackleton and employment law consultant Kate Palmer explore.

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