Age discrimination or a polarising world? Four ways to tackle distrust and misinformation at work
A recent survey shows 90% of older workers experience workplace ageism, but other research reveals fear of discrimination spans all demographics. The real culprit? Growing societal polarisation, warns Blaire Palmer, CEO of That People Thing. Here, she outlines how to tackle this through transparency, bias awareness, and fostering cross-generational collaboration.
Interview: How Tesla’s former DEI director, Kristen Kavanaugh, chose courage over fear
Courageous leadership isn’t about saving the day. It’s about taking small steps to stand up for your beliefs, when retreating would be easier. In an interview with HRZone, Kristen Kavanaugh, former DEI director of Tesla, reveals her journey to resilience, her proudest moments at the automotive company, and how courageous leaders can respond to corporate pullbacks from DEI.
Five psychological safety challenges for hybrid workplaces
Building psychological safety is a complex venture for any organisation. But the very nature of hybrid work makes it even more difficult to foster. Here, Jacqueline Towers of Hubstar presents five common barriers to speak-up cultures in hybrid settings – and how to remove these through small changes to everyday behaviours.
What the Capgemini tribunal teaches us about reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse employees
A recent employment tribunal has highlighted critical gaps in neurodiversity support. When Capgemini failed to implement key recommendations for an ADHD employee, the consequences extended far beyond legal liability. Phil Pepper, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau, explores what this case reveals about creating genuinely inclusive workplaces.
Beyond the strategy deck: How HR can turn sustainability promises into action
Your sustainability strategy looks impressive, but are your people systems actually delivering change? Professor Matthew Gitsham from Hult International Business School explores the critical disconnect between organisational promises and performance – and shows you exactly how HR can bridge that gap through culture, capability, and leadership transformation.
Return to office: How not to upset almost everyone
With return-to-office (RTO) mandates back in the news, Quentin Millington of Marble Brook explains why there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy for where to work. Here, he outlines eight questions HR leaders can pose to their organisations to encourage meaningful thinking, rapid decisions and practical action.
The silent culture killer that is impacting your talent
Nine in ten British employees are disengaged at work, yet, 80% of employees actually enjoy the work they do. So if their role isn’t the problem, what is? Sanjay Lobo, CEO of OnHand, highlights why lack of purpose is draining the spark from your teams – and three ways to turn this around.
Lessons from the depths: What OceanGate teaches us about toxic leadership
The OceanGate investigation revealed that toxic leadership played a crucial role in a preventable tragedy. But these destructive patterns exist in workplaces everywhere. Here, occupational psychologist Fran Pestana explains how gaslighting and manipulation operate – and their profound psychological and commercial costs.
Culture is the strategy: Why the most innovative leaders are rewriting the rulebook
A good culture is your competitive edge in a world of disruption. But how do you get there? Learn from leaders who know what works, and what doesn’t, at our 2025 Culture Pioneers Leadership Forum on 16th October, in London.
Money versus people, the conflict ChatGPT cannot resolve
As OpenAI restructures to chase profits, raising doubts about the firm’s commitment to AI for the benefit of all, we see writ large the unremitting conflict between self-interest and stakeholder value. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook makes sense of the complex dynamic, offering ideas to quieten this near-universal distraction from good work.
Three ways to boost workplace connection: No mandates required
Workplace leaders are discovering that forcing in-person social connection through mandates often destroys the very culture they’re trying to build. Here, Jacqueline Towers of Hubstar explores what to do instead.
From cricket fields to coaching wisdom: Roland Butcher on what makes great leaders
As the first Black cricketer to play for England, Roland Butcher has learned a thing or two about leadership, coaching, and personal growth. Translating these lessons from the pitch to the workplace, Debra Corey of Step It Up HR shares five standout tips from Roland’s inspirational journey.
Assemble your inner hero: Leadership lessons from Marvel’s Fantastic Four
What can superheroes teach us about leadership? Following Marvel’s latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Mark Leisegang of Insights reveals how to unlock your inner powers of self-awareness, fluidity, and collaboration.
HR’s role in handling domestic abuse disclosures
With one in five UK employees experiencing domestic abuse, workplaces can be one of the few safe spaces a victim-survivor can turn to for help. Here, Susan Bright, CEO of EIDA (Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse), shares guidance for HR teams on handling domestic abuse disclosures with compassion and clarity.
Have better impact: Three imperatives for thoughtful leaders
Through work, we all have an impact on colleagues, customers or society. How can we ensure we use this power to good effect? Quentin Millington of Marble Brook looks at the value of being ’thoughtful’, and what three central imperatives of thoughtfulness mean in practice.
Don’t let culture derail your merger and acquisition (M&A): Five steps for HR leaders
Culture clashes are one of the top reasons M&As fail – yet many leaders still overlook this critical factor. Ella Overshott, Partner at Pecan Partnership, shares five practical steps HR leaders can take to ensure cultural integration drives, rather than derails, deal success.
AI layoffs pose risk: Build strength, not weakness
Last week the chief executive of BT Allison Kirkby said the group’s ambitions to harness the “full potential of AI” may involve more layoffs than her predecessor had outlined in 2023. Here, Quentin Millington of Marble Brook considers four ways leaders can ensure artificial intelligence strengthens – rather than weakens – their team’s value.
‘Sighing in frustration’ ruled as discrimination at tribunal
With a recent tribunal ruling that sighing is a form of discrimination, HR adviser Kate Palmer explores how employers can better support neurodiverse employees and champion a diverse and inclusive culture.
Healthy CEOs, hurting workforces: What’s behind the 48% wellbeing gap?
New global research finds that CEOs report positive wellbeing at a rate nearly 48% higher than employees. In this piece, HRZone’s managing editor Becky Norman explores the stark imbalance, the barriers undermining employee wellbeing, and how HR can help remove them.
Pride amid DEI pushback: Why HR must show what allyship really means
Pride flags are flying this month, as they are every June. But in this period of anti-DEI rhetoric, your team is watching – now more than ever – how your organisation responds. Kerry Nicholson, Chief of Operations for Brand Champions, explores the feelings of exclusion and exhaustion felt by the LGBTQ+ community today, and how organisations can be genuine allies amid increasing DEI resistance.