How to solve the diversity crisis in local government leadership

There is a leadership gulf in local government when it comes to BAME representation – a problem caused by institutions and society as a whole. If there were more role models then individuals would be empowered to reach outside their perceived boundaries.  In October, the Prime Minister announced that public services, including the NHS, armed forces, schools and the police force will […]

Invisible disabilities: it’s time for HR to get hearing loss on the agenda

People with hidden disabilities, such as deafness and hearing loss, are often overlooked and lack support in the workplace. HR can play a key role in removing any barriers faced by affected individuals and empower these employees to thrive in their job. In recent years, both the government and employers have been actively making strides towards […]

What are the legal implications of managing mental health in the workplace?

With an increasing number of organisations implementing initiatives to support employee mental health and wellbeing, what are the legal implications to be aware of? Recent tribunals have queried the actions of a ‘reasonable employer’, putting management and often named individuals at risk of legal action. Mental health is the largest single cause of absence in […]

Beyond the jargon: is HR tech lost in translation?

Reliance on technology and understanding its language can create communication barriers. To offset this, HR professionals need to develop non-technical tactics. We are all too aware of the vitality of the HR technology upon which we rely, with that tech not only vital, but very much alive and changing all the time. As HR leaders we are often just as aware […]

How digital assistants are reimagining employee engagement

Digital assistants have the capacity to transform people’s working lives. But how can this AI-powered technology help improve employee engagement? The general public has become increasingly comfortable with using digital assistants such as Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant – and with good reason. These AI-powered interfaces allow people to interact with their phones, smart speakers or […]

How to lead people through transitions

In this article series, written and created by Dr. Julie Hodges from the University of Durham, we look at how to make organisational change successful. Take a look at the whole article series to read all about emotion, communication and more. Consider the following scenario. You are driving along a country road with the rain hitting the car’s […]

Rise of the chatbots: how technology is transforming HR

Chatbots enable companies to communicate efficiently with their customers and the integration of machine learning is now opening up this technology to HR departments.  Chatbots have become a familiar sight in recent times, particularly on the websites of customer-facing organisations. Visitors to sites in industries such as retail, travel and property are increasingly being greeted by […]

How recruitment can adapt to turbulent times

Historically low rates of unemployment and growing global economic uncertainty are making life harder for recruiters. Candidates can be more selective about the jobs they take but they are also less likely to take any significant risks.  Recruitment is rarely a straightforward task. Even filling temporary, unskilled positions requires perusing CVs, holding interviews, assessing attitudes and whittling down […]

The dialogue of change : how to get it right

Communicating organisational change successfully requires a great deal of sensitivity. You must consider the appropriate method of communicating important messages and be prepared to open up a dialogue with your workforce. The role of communication during organisational change is well-established. Indeed, the management of communication processes that deliver key messages at the appropriate time to stakeholders is considered in the […]

A new way to unleash creativity and innovation

Advances in technology mean it’s possible for an organisation to measure individual creativity using AI, but that doesn’t guarantee innovative ideas. In order to have the competitive edge you need to nuture a team of creative innovators. Innovation is essential in today’s organisations. When your competitors have access to the same technology and resources as you – and they can quickly […]

Why you must prioritise the emotional side of change

During a period of organisational change it’s vital to ensure clear and consistent communication with your employees. In order to truly understand and prepare them you must be sensitive to the range of emotions expressed by those affected. Working in organisations often means that we have to leave our emotions at the door as we enter our place of work. It […]

The workplace showdown: me vs you

We all have to work alongside difficult people from time to time. But what is the best approach to dealing with your workplace rival? If your career were a movie you could rewind, erase and skip to the highlights to create a perfect cinematic experience. But your biopic is incomplete; one pivotal scene is missing. […]

The people profession: how can HR develop in 2019?

Off the back of the CIPD’s recent research on the ‘People Profession in 2018’, senior HR professional Charlie Goff-Deakins examines three development areas for HR and people professionals to focus on in 2019. The CIPD recently issued the results from the survey ‘The People Profession in 2018‘, which consisted of 974 respondents from a people […]

Is a four-day working week really possible?

Advances in technology, stagnant productivity levels and a greater focus on employee wellbeing has opened up the debate on what a typical working week could look like in the future. The working world is rapidly evolving, not only as a result of the introduction of revolutionary technologies, but also due to changing employee viewpoints, attitudes, and expectations. People’s […]

Why it’s time to humanise the workplace

How often do you have meaningful conversations with colleagues at work? If the answer is ‘rarely’, then find out why it’s time to make a positive, conscious change in the way you approach workplace relationships. Mental health seems to be top of the HR agenda at the moment. This is thanks in part to the efforts of Prince William and others […]

Activate and amplify: making social learning work

Social learning is happening all around us but there is still an opportunity to embed these experiences into L&D culture to expand its reach more into strategic planning. Despite the title, L&D professionals do not need to make social learning work in an organisation – because it already works. Whenever somebody taps a colleague on the […]

Standing desks: 5 ways HR can facilitate change

The case in favour of employees standing at desks rather than sitting is a strong one. Countless studies have been conducted into how much more happy, productive and healthy employees are if they spend less time sitting and more time standing. The University of Loughborough has just produced a study which was covered by the BBC; […]

How mentoring can benefit your business

Mentoring schemes are hugely beneficial, and not just because they enhance personal development. They can also contribute to the overall success of an organisation. I started my human resources career by joining a two-year graduate programme where I was partnered with a mentor from the outset. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the benefits of […]

Working parents are an absolute must for companies

Becoming a parent equips you with a huge range of transferable skills for the modern workplace, including networking, communication and time management. A new dad goes for an interview at a consultancy firm and hears: “There are two types of people, those who want to be home for bedtime, and those who don’t, and this job […]

Professional development: the challenges of introducing a coaching culture

At Academics’ Corner we explore the latest HR research coming out of the academic sector that HR professionals need to know about. Here, Jan Hills, Partner at Head Heart + Brian, discusses research on the issues faced with introducing a coaching culture. According to a new study from the International Centre for Leadership Coaching, most managers don’t understand what coaching […]