At the end of every year, we look back at what we’ve published over the previous 12 months to get a sense of what you, the HR community, engaged with the most. What you cared about, worried about and hotly debated. Following this internal review, we can now share with you HRZone’s 2024 most popular reads!
A few themes coming out of the list are predictable: employment law changes, increasing employee rights, and return-to-office rhetoric. Others are more intriguing: tackling difficult behaviours, evidenced-based HR, and, drum roll, Jürgen Klopp!
Peruse the list below and catch up on what your people peers have been reading about across the year.
1. Fifty per cent of employees don’t think shouting at work is bullying
It’s a shocking statistic and it caught your eye. This research came from law firm Wright Hassall, and its Head of Employment Law, Tina Chandler, shared further findings on bullying and how employers can prevent this behaviour.
2. The right to request a four-day week: A vision for the future of work
When the UK government announced plans to strengthen workers’ rights to request a four-day work week, the debate on its efficacy returned. Gethin Nadin, Chief Innovation Officer of Benefex, cut through the noise with this commentary for HRZone. He sums it up nicely in one sentence: “Flexibility should be about choice, not mandate and this proposal from the government is just that.”
3. Disabled people predicted the future of work: It’s time to listen
To mark Disability History Month, HRZone partnered with Atif Choudhury, CEO of Disability and Ability, to bring you a three-part series ‘Disability History: Lessons for Future-Proofing HR Practices‘. Part one, which examines the social model of disability, caught your eye.
4. How much do you really know about Evidence-Based HR?
Back in March, we ran a quiz in partnership with the Corporate Research Forum to test your knowledge on evidence-based HR. The Forum’s Associate Director Rob Briner revealed the answers here. The quiz is still live, why not give it (another) go?
5. The new Labour landscape: Nine UK employment changes to prepare for
When the Labour Party came into UK power, employers braced themselves for big changes ahead. To help you get prepared, culture consultant Deborah Hartung outlined nine potential employment law reforms. We’re not surprised this one made our list.
6. Self-management part one: How to recruit without managers
This concept intrigued you! In the first instalment of a three-part self-management series, Perry Timms and Kirsten Buck of PTHR outlined two unorthodox approaches to hiring in unorthodox organisations. What can we learn from these managerless, self-managed organisations?
7. Difficult colleagues: Relationships with people who act badly
It’s an age-old problem and it’s not going away. We will always encounter taxing colleagues, and perhaps our skills for managing bad behaviour need sharpening. Quentin Millington, Consultant and Coach at Marble Brook, offers guidance on bringing rocky relationships, and work, back on track.
8. Employment Rights Bill unpacked: What are the major changes?
The introduction of the Employment Rights Bill raised commotion and questions among UK employers. Kate Palmer, HR Advice and Consultancy Director of Peninsula, unpacked the key components to pay attention to.
9. Passive aggression is destructive but hard to prove
Yet another article on difficult behaviours has topped the HRZone chart. You’ve likely been on the receiving end of ‘pass-agg’ retorts and know the damage it can have to workplace culture. Thom Dennis, CEO, Serenity in Leadership Ltd, offered guidance to handle this toxic behaviour – and it was needed!
10. Is Lord Alan Sugar right about working from home?
This wasn’t the first controversial remark from Lord Alan Sugar on home working, but still, it reinvigorated the debate on return-to-office mandates back in February. Ella Overshott, Director of Pecan Partnership, pondered over why such polarising views on this topic persist.
11. Deloitte 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals purpose-driven generation
In June, Blaire Palmer, CEO of That People Thing, examined the results of Deloitte’s research on purpose, and why organisations need to provide more meaningful work for people. The topic sparked intrigue among you.
12. Be more Jürgen: Klopp’s people-first leadership at Liverpool FC
There are Liverpool FC fans among you! When former manager Jürgen Klopp stepped down from his duties, there was a wave of analysis on what made his leadership reign memorable. Andrew Loveless, Director of Pecan Partnership, shared his two cents on the matter and you took it onboard.
Our 2024 round-up
That’s a wrap for HRZone’s 2024 most popular reads. What do these themes say about the HR profession this year? Do they surprise you or resonate with your concerns and focus areas? Share with us your thoughts!
