HR & Benefits Unboxed

The 10,000 step rule has been wellbeing gospel for decades. But what if the science says otherwise?

Fresh data is challenging old assumptions and opening up new opportunities for HR to support employee health in smarter, simpler ways.

In this episode, part of a trio of 10 minute podcasts, hosts Claire Churchard and Steve Herbert ask: why has this myth stuck for so long, and how can employers use the new evidence to boost health, engagement and productivity?

As the professionals responsible for helping their organisations navigate NI hikes, rising employee stress levels and looming redundancies, the pressure on HR, reward and benefits teams has never been greater. 

HR is expected to lead with strength and compassion. But who is supporting the supporters?

In this episode of Benefits Unboxed, co-hosts Claire Churchard, Carole Goldsmith and Steve Herbert explore the emotional and ethical pressures HR face today, from managing redundancies to implementing complex legislation. They discuss why HR’s own wellbeing may not be the first topic of conversation, the risks that poses to employers, and the practical steps businesses can take to better support the wellbeing of the people who support everyone else.

This conversation shines a light on the resilience of the profession and why looking after HR is not just the right thing to do, but a business imperative.

The US retreat from diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) is making waves far beyond the country's borders. In the wake of President Trump’s executive order abolishing DEI across federal government departments, global firms like Goldman Sachs and Accenture have rapidly dialled down their own efforts. 

The influence is being felt in the UK too. However, the UK operates under a different legal framework. It has stronger workplace protections and a government actively looking to enhance employee rights through its Make Work Pay agenda. But as US firms reposition their approach to DEI, UK subsidiaries could find themselves caught between conflicting priorities.

In the latest Benefits Unboxed podcast, co-hosts Claire Churchard, editor of Benefits Expert, Carole Goldsmith, HR director at the Royal Horticultural Society, and Steve Herbert, industry veteran and reward and benefits consultant, discuss how the US DEI rollback might impact UK businesses.

Employee health is a critical issue for businesses as people face long waits for NHS treatment. But employers that provide private medical insurance (PMI) face soaring premium costs that threaten to suck the life out of their benefits budget. What can HR do to mitigate galloping price rises?

Podcast hosts Claire Churchard and Steve Herbert discuss the practical steps HR can take to prevent PMI cost rises from consuming the budget.

The employment landscape is changing dramatically. From the Pensions Review, to the Employment Rights Bill, and rising employer national insurance costs, there will be tough choices ahead for employers.

But could some of these changes offer a silver lining on the otherwise costly cloud?

Podcast hosts Claire Churchard and Steve Herbert discuss what upsides employers might be able to find as we head into a new era.

Discover the hidden challenges of the invisible carers in your workforce and get to the root of why 600 people a day are leaving their jobs to care for others.

This episode explains how employers can better support carers in their workforce and prevent the loss of talent and skills from among the 2.5 million unpaid carers in England and Wales.

The hosts are joined by guest Madeleine Starr MBE, director of Carer Services at Carers UK.