March 04, 2025

176. Google’s 60-Hour workweek, Asda's bonus backlash and how to go from friend to boss. PLUS! Leaders are human too, with Dr Elaine Smith - This Week in Work, 4th March 2025

52 minutes

Truth, Lies, and Work is an award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.

Every Tuesday, we bring you This Week in Work—your go-to for workplace news, a hot take from an industry expert, and our world-famous workplace surgery, where Leanne answers your toughest work dilemmas.

🗞 News Roundup:

1️⃣ Asda Scraps 10,000 Staff Bonuses

More than 10,000 managers at Asda won’t receive their annual bonuses after a challenging financial year.

Full story: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/01/asda-scraps-staff-bonuses-for-thousands-after-torrid-year/

2️⃣ Google's Sergey Brin Calls for 60-Hour Workweeks

Sergey Brin has reportedly told Google employees to return to the office every weekday and suggested 60 hours a week as the “sweet spot” for productivity.

Full article: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/28/sergey-brin-says-rto-is-key-to-google-winning-the-agi-race/

3️⃣ The Employability Paradox: How Promotions Can Boost Loyalty & Turnover

The Employability Paradox is the idea that promoting staff increases their loyalty but also makes them more attractive to other employers.

🔥 Hot Take of the Week: Dr. Elaine Smith on Leadership & Wellbeing

Our guest this week is Dr. Elaine Smith, a Clinical Psychologist and Business Wellbeing Consultant. Elaine is the Psychological Wellbeing Lead at Hope.io and co-founder of Think Resilience, a new leadership retreat launching in East Lothian this April.

🧠 Key Insights:

Leaders Are Human Too: High-ranking leaders, regardless of their salary or seniority, need emotional and mental support just like anyone else.

The Illusion of Composure: Just because leaders appear composed and confident doesn't mean they aren't struggling beneath the surface.

Supporting Leaders Benefits Everyone: When leaders are supported to show vulnerability, it fosters connection, improves workplace culture, and can potentially lead to more compassionate decision-making.

🌐 More from Dr. Elaine Smith:

Leadership Retreat: https://www.thinkresilience.co.uk

Online Course: Creating Compassionate Workplaces: https://www.drelainesmith.com/online-leadership-course-stress-resilience

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elaine-smith-creating-compassionate-workplaces/

💡 World-Famous Workplace Surgery:

📌 Q1: From Friend to Boss—How to Lead Without Losing Your Mates

A new team lead is struggling with a former peer undermining their authority. How do you establish authority without coming off as power-hungry?

📌 Q2: The Unlimited Holiday Trap

An "unlimited holiday" policy sounded great in theory but has created chaos. How can managers set boundaries without undermining company policy?

📌 Q3: The HR Battleground

An HR Director is caught in the middle of a company war over flexible working policies. Should they pick a side, or is there a way to mediate without losing credibility?

📢 Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!

General Support with Mental Health and Well-being

If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, or are currently struggling with your mental health, the following resources may be useful.

Mind website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

If you are feeling in distress or despair, including feelings of suicide, please do consider calling the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (UK) or email [email protected] (Rest of World)

Connect with Al and Leanne

Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/

Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/

Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

Email: [email protected]

Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

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By Leanne Elliott, C. Psychol.

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