Embracing the shadow side of organisational life
Organizations contain a “shadow side” of informal behaviors—corridor conversations, power struggles, and personality clashes—that significantly influence culture and effectiveness. Rather than viewing these dynamics as purely negative, enlightened leaders recognize they reflect human nature and can be channeled positively through cultural shifts, though top-down change efforts often fail due to resistance.
Why better employee relations starts with learning and development
Employee relations improve when organizations invest in learning and development focused on conversational skills. As workplace structures flatten and employee expectations shift, staff at all levels need training in healthy communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution to prevent tribunals and build stronger team dynamics.
The blockchain effect: why businesses need to prepare employees
Blockchain technology will soon disrupt industries across the board, from banking to retail supply chains. To thrive in this changing landscape, organizations must upskill and transform their workforce now to prepare for blockchain’s widespread adoption and impact on business processes.
Are you a horrible boss? How to tell if your team is engaged
Learn whether you’re a horrible boss by seeking direct feedback from your team members. Many managers lack consistent employee feedback systems, missing opportunities to understand how their actions affect team motivation and engagement. Ask your team what demotivates them to identify blind spots and improve leadership effectiveness.
Money worries and mental health: what can businesses do?
Financial stress significantly impacts employee mental health and workplace productivity, with research showing that 74% of people with debt worries experience mental health effects. Employers can address this by implementing financial wellbeing strategies that break stigma, provide support resources, and tackle both preventative measures and crisis management.
Come on, just get on and do it! Breaking apart a broken organisational structure
Traditional hierarchical organizational structures that centralize decision-making are inherently inefficient and disempowering, undermining employee engagement despite leadership initiatives. Real organizational change requires fundamentally restructuring how decisions are made, not just implementing employee empowerment programs.
HR automation: why real-time reporting is about more than accuracy
HR automation removes manual data entry errors that plague payroll and reporting processes, freeing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Real-time reporting systems eliminate the 18-40% error rate inherent in spreadsheet-based management, protecting organizations from costly compliance failures and reputational damage.
Do transformational leaders make you sick?
Research shows transformational leaders may harm employee health over time. A study found that employees with highly transformational leaders reported increased sickness absenteeism, particularly vulnerable workers who tend to work while ill, suggesting performance expectations shouldn’t come at the expense of wellbeing.
It’s time to tackle the race pay gap
The race pay gap remains a significant but largely overlooked form of pay inequality, with minorities consistently earning less than white colleagues across professions. While the gender pay gap has received substantial attention, businesses like the BBC and PwC reveal equally substantial disparities based on race that demand urgent recognition and action.
Leadership: six reasons why HR should be considered in top level management
HR professionals bring critical people-focused perspective to boardroom decisions that other executives lack. They prevent costly mistakes through diverse thinking, communicate how strategy impacts employees, and help attract top talent—yet remain underrepresented in executive leadership across major companies.
Why HR needs to get to grips with the gig economy
Human resources departments must understand the gig economy’s legal complexities, as courts increasingly rule that workers misclassified as self-employed are entitled to employment rights like minimum wage and paid leave. Businesses relying on gig workers face significant risks if employment status isn’t properly established.
Workplace trends 2019: Jason Corsello at UNLEASH World Conference & Expo
Jason Corsello, Managing Partner at Acadian Ventures, shared key workplace trends at UNLEASH 2018, highlighting the disconnect between tech growth and productivity, the rise of gig work and job-hopping, automation’s impact on skills, and growing workforce stress concerns shaping HR’s future.
Relationship intelligence: “We need to put the human element back into the workplace,” says Esther Perel
Renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel argues that strong relationships are essential to workplace success and personal wellbeing. As technology advances, soft skills like relationship intelligence become increasingly critical, replacing outdated emphasis on processes and productivity alone.
Workplace technology: is BYOD worth the risk?
BYOD policies offer cost savings and increased productivity by letting employees use personal devices for work, but organizations must carefully weigh security risks and implement robust mobile device management strategies to protect company data.
How mindfulness practice has changed my life – a personal story
A lifelong struggle with anxiety was transformed through mindfulness practice. After nearly four decades of worry and fear, the author discovered how mindfulness meditation brought self-understanding, compassion, and freedom from catastrophic thinking patterns.
Recruitment: why age-friendly employment is a win-win for everyone
Age-friendly employment practices help businesses tap into a growing pool of skilled older workers while creating more inclusive workplaces. With fewer young workers entering the job market, employers who offer flexible arrangements, eliminate age bias in recruitment, and provide health support gain competitive advantages in attracting and retaining talent across all ages.
Strengths-based recruitment: are you hiring people for the wrong jobs?
Strengths-based recruitment selects employees based on natural talents and what they excel at, rather than traditional competency requirements. Companies like Starbucks and Acromas Group have adopted this approach to reduce costly staff turnover and improve job performance by matching people to roles where they’ll genuinely thrive.
No more guilt: new research shows common assumptions about working mothers are all wrong
New research from Harvard Business School debunks the myth that working mothers harm their children. The study reveals that children of employed mothers are just as happy in adulthood and actually achieve greater career success, particularly daughters, than children of stay-at-home mothers.
Why wellbeing should be promoted in the workplace
Workplace wellbeing programs boost productivity and performance, with benefits extending beyond individual employees to entire teams. Research shows women particularly struggle with stress management, making targeted wellbeing initiatives and leadership programs valuable investments for organizational success.
Book review – Mind Flip: Change the Way You Think About Yourself and Reinvent Your Future by Zena Everett
Mind Flip guides professionals through assessing their skills and repositioning themselves for career advancement. Drawing on recruiter insights, author Zena Everett helps readers identify their unique value and articulate it effectively to employers, though the book relies heavily on some outdated career advice.
