How culture brainwashes us into mediocre ambitions

In contrast to people living under totalitarian regimes such as China, we in the West are free to make personal and business decisions. But how far are we brainwashed by old norms, new trends, social media algorithms and the values of others? And how does this limit our imaginations, and so what we achieve at work?
Employment tribunal rules Apple employee unfairly dismissed

An employment tribunal has found Apple’s investigation to have significant deficiencies and has found it to have unfairly dismissed an employee over racial allegations and insensitive photos.
Four-day dreams, six-day realities and the quest for work-life balance

Deborah Hartung comments on the implications and lessons of Greece’s new six-day workweek and Asda’s decision to scrap its four-day trial.
Labour Lessons: Symbolic actions to accelerate culture change

As the Labour Party enters its second week in government, it’s clear that they have carefully chosen some of their early actions to symbolise a shift in government culture. How can you use symbolic changes to speed-up culture change in your organisation?
HMRC worker wins harassment claim over unwanted birthday card

An HMRC worker won a harassment case against her employer after being sent a birthday card and over 20 other total allegations of harassment.
Revisiting the past to become better leaders under pressure

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? An internaliser of an externaliser? Our childhoods affect who we become and even impact us as leaders. Leadership expert and consultant Nik Kinley and IMD Business School Professor Shlomo Ben-Hur discuss how we can better understand these tendencies to perform well under pressure.
The new Labour landscape: Nine UK employment changes to prepare for

With the Labour party now leading the UK, employers will need to brace themselves for changes ahead. Here, we outline nine potential employment law reforms and how to prepare for them.
Beyond Pride: What is next?

Another year’s Pride Month is done and dusted. Here is what Lior Locher and Dr Christy Allen recommend you do now to increase impact after key DEI initiatives.
Navigating the path to culture change: A comprehensive guide

Embarking on a culture change journey requires courage, resilience, time and commitment. By embracing the ongoing expedition of growth and evolution, it’s possible to unlock potential and achieve lasting success. Here’s your guide to managing a successful culture change journey.
LinkedIn mastery: Powerful strategies for HR leaders

To be recognised as an HR thought leader of true worth, an optimised LinkedIn profile is crucial. Here are tips for crafting and maintaining an impactful profile and presence.
“I hope you get cancer and die.” Stemming rudeness with self-awareness

The customer is always right, right? Wrong. A new survey found a huge increase in violence and abuse towards shopworkers. And incivility is becoming a growing problem everywhere. It seems we all need a refresher on self-awareness. Without it we don’t have the ability to make the right choice.
An AI crossroads: Which path will you choose?

We have reached a crossroads with artificial intelligence. If we choose the easy direction, AI will exacerbate societal ills. If, however, we take the more thoughtful and yet arduous path, AI might well enrich our lives. Quentin Millington navigates.
Political tensions at work: Ten rules for de-escalating conflict

In the lead up to the UK general election, political debate is everywhere and can ignite tension in the workplace. How can we de-escalate conflict (political or not) in the moment?
The right to be boring: Team building without legal repercussions

After being fired for not being ‘fun’ enough, an employee took the company in question to court and won. How can employers ensure their team building events are successful and, above all, don’t land them in legal hot water?
Securing investment in company culture: An eight-step checklist

Investment in organisational culture can offer tangible returns on business longevity. Here’s an eight-step checklist for securing senior buy-in and getting the budget approval you need to enrich your culture.
Are you instigating fear in the workplace?

Many leaders acknowledge that fear is increasingly being seen in the workplace, due to financial concerns, global instability and issues around exclusion, but other leaders may themselves be the instigators of fear.
Division of labour: Is AI one cut too far?

Division of labour, in the workplace and beyond, has enhanced productivity and accelerated growth. But, nobody wants to feel like a cog in someone else’s machine. Will AI create more silos and further amplify the negative impacts of division of labour?
How to train managers to be better wellbeing leaders

Line managers have a huge impact on the wellbeing of their team. Alongside fit-for-purpose health and wellbeing services and policies, leaders have a role to play in helping employees thrive and be at their most productive. Christine Husbands explores how to achieve this.
Post Office: Was Paula Vennells the unluckiest CEO in the UK?

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells has done a good job of showing leaders how to dish out a terrible apology, pass blame and NOT take accountability for organisational wrongdoings. In response, we ask three experts to tell us how CEOs should respond to organisational failings.
The small efforts that drive significant change

Unfortunately, there’s no magic wand for making change. But with small, consistent actions, we can make progress with EDI efforts and make a difference.