HR Insights

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Scott McInnes, Founder of Inspiring Change, to explore the growing disconnect between the culture organisations believe they have created and the reality their employees experience.

Drawing on almost 30 years of experience in internal communications, employee engagement and organisational culture, Scott shares why building a strong workplace culture requires more than a set of company values. Stuart and Scott discuss the importance of intentional culture, the role of leadership in shaping everyday behaviours and why organisations must be prepared to hold people accountable when their actions do not align with their values.

The conversation also explores findings from Scott's Mind the Gap and Bridging the Connection Gap research, highlighting the challenges organisations face in developing effective managers, maintaining human connection and adapting to hybrid working. From measuring culture and addressing difficult behaviours to the growing influence of AI, the episode considers how organisations can create stronger, more connected workplaces that support both their people and their business objectives.

Key Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 00:22 Introduction to Organisational Culture
• 01:03 Insights from Scott McInnes on Culture Disconnect
• 03:27 Inspiring Change: Mission and Evolution
• 06:44 The Importance of Intentional Culture
• 09:36 Culture Development and Founders' Influence
• 12:46 Challenges in Large Organisations
• 15:35 Difficult Conversations and Accountability
• 18:30 Research Insights: Culture Gaps and Disconnection
• 24:49 The Impact of Past Experiences on Leadership
• 28:14 Challenges of Hybrid Working
• 31:15 Bridging the Connection Gap
• 38:15 Measuring Organisational Culture
• 47:59 Future Challenges in Building Connected Cultures
• 52:26 Introduction to Organisational Culture
• 52:47 Insights from Scott McInnes on Culture Disconnect

Read transcript here.

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined once again by Sasha Scott, Founder and CEO of Inclusive Group, to explore how the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion is changing and what that means for organisations today.

Drawing on 25 years working in the inclusion space, Sasha reflects on the significant recalibration taking place across organisations. As traditional DEI language becomes increasingly challenged, the conversation is shifting towards inclusion, culture, conduct, fairness and how people actually experience the workplace. Stuart and Sasha discuss why this is becoming less of a standalone people issue and increasingly one that intersects with leadership, compliance, risk and wider business performance.

The conversation also explores what genuinely changes behaviour within organisations, the importance of leaders modelling expected standards and the challenges of creating inclusive cultures across different generations, locations and ways of working. From AI and workplace governance to intergenerational inclusion, difficult conversations and the return to the office, the episode considers what organisations should be thinking about as they prepare for 2027.

Key timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction and guest background
• 02:43 The history of Inclusive Group and its pioneering role
• 04:51 Impact of compliance-led training in financial and legal sectors
• 06:47 Regulatory changes and their influence on diversity initiatives
• 10:32 Shift from DEI language to a focus on inclusion and culture
• 12:40 Current hot topics: fairness, treatment, and organisational culture
• 14:36 AI risks, governance, and ethical considerations
• 16:45 Engagement, remote work, and the importance of in-person interactions
• 20:37 Regulatory expectations and the future of organisational behaviour
• 24:47 Medical analogy for cultural audits and deep listening
• 28:44 Effective communication, respect, and leadership style
• 30:41 Intergenerational inclusion and overcoming stereotypes
• 34:39 Technology, AI, and the future of work and inclusion
• 36:47 Preparing for regulatory changes in 2027 and beyond
• 43:40 Final thoughts and contact information

View Transcript here

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Claire Gray, founder of NeuroTalent at Work Limited, to explore why growing awareness of neurodiversity has not always translated into better workplace experiences for neurodivergent employees.

The conversation looks at where barriers can still emerge across the employee journey, from recruitment and workplace adjustments to performance management. Claire discusses the difference between awareness and operational neuroinclusion, why traditional interview processes can unintentionally disadvantage neurodivergent candidates and how organisations can create fairer processes without lowering expectations.

With line managers often responsible for turning policy into practice, Stuart and Claire also explore the support managers need to respond confidently when an employee discloses, requests an adjustment or begins to struggle. From psychological safety and early intervention to practical changes in ways of working, the episode considers what organisations can do to move from good intentions towards meaningful inclusion.

Key timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to Claire Gray and her journey into neurodiversity
• 00:22 – Understanding neurodiversity in the workplace
• 01:24 – Challenges in neuroinclusion and practical solutions
• 03:09 – The difference between awareness and true inclusion
• 06:23 – The manager gap in neurodiversity support
• 08:21 – Operational neuroinclusion explained
• 09:48 – The importance of early support and psychological safety
• 11:04 – Demonstrating ROI in neurodiversity initiatives
• 14:23 – Common mistakes when interviewing neurodivergent candidates
• 16:46 – Making recruitment more inclusive without lowering standards
• 23:44 – Workplace adjustments and overcoming barriers
• 36:09 – Performance management and fair evaluation for neurodivergent employees
• 40:56 – Supporting managers in neuroinclusion practices
• 44:16 – Final advice for managers and closing thoughts

View Transcript here

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In part two of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined once again by Paul Burton, employment solicitor at ViewHR, to explore the further changes expected under the Employment Rights Act and what they could mean for employers, HR teams and people managers.

The conversation looks at some of the most significant reforms still to come, including the reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period, the removal of compensation caps, proposed restrictions around fire and rehire, stronger sexual harassment protections and new rights for zero and low-hours workers.

From probation periods and manager capability to workplace culture, documentation and organisational risk, this episode offers practical guidance for HR leaders preparing for a period of significant employment law change.

Key timestamps:

• 00:22 Introduction to Employment Law Changes
• 00:51 Looking Ahead: Future Employment Law Developments
• 01:20 Upcoming changes in HR and employment law
• 02:30 October 2024: Key legal updates for employers
• 03:55 Changes to unfair dismissal claims and tribunal limits
• 04:54 Future legislative plans and potential delays
• 06:37 Impact of reduced qualifying period on employment risk
• 08:28 Probation periods and their strategic importance
• 11:10 Removal of compensation caps and settlement implications
• 13:55 Fire and rehire practices and legal reforms
• 20:55 Significance of 'all reasonable steps' in harassment laws
• 23:35 Changes to zero and low hours worker rights
• 27:01 Enhanced protections around pregnancy, family leave, and gender pay
• 28:21 HR management strategies for upcoming legal changes
• 30:37 Potential for companies to be 'guinea pigs' in legal reforms
• 31:35 Closing remarks and contact information for Paul Burton

View Transcript here

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Paul Burton, employment solicitor at ViewHR, to explore the employment law changes that have already come into effect under the Employment Rights Act 2025.

The conversation breaks down some of the most significant developments affecting UK employers, including changes to statutory sick pay, day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave, new whistleblowing protections relating to sexual harassment and increased penalties for failures in collective consultation.

Paul also explains the introduction of the Fair Work Agency and what its expanded enforcement powers could mean for organisations. From updating policies and procedures to strengthening manager training and absence management, the episode highlights why employers should treat these reforms as an organisational and people-management issue rather than simply a legal update.

This is the first of a two-part conversation. In part two, Stuart and Paul will look ahead at the further employment law changes expected to come into effect and what organisations can do now to prepare.

Key timestamps:

• 04:47 - Summary of the Employment Rights Act 2025
• 05:43 - Trade union reforms and industrial action changes
• 07:07 - Updates to sick pay and family rights
• 08:08 - Collective consultation and penalties for non-compliance
• 09:41 - Sector impact of new employment laws
• 10:14 - Details on the removal of the sick pay waiting period
• 11:18 - Importance of absence management and return-to-work interviews
• 13:25 - Paternity leave and parental rights from day one
• 18:04 - Sexual harassment protections under whistleblowing laws
• 27:21 - Introduction to the Fair Work Agency and its functions
• 30:20 - Implications of the Fair Work Agency for enforcement
• 31:09 - Advice for HR professionals and managers on legislative changes
• 32:37 - Training, support, and ongoing compliance strategies
• 33:36 - Conclusion and next steps for employers

View Transcript here

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Keith Pritchard, Chief People Officer and transformation leader, to explore what global organisations need to understand about working, leading and building teams in India.

Drawing on more than three years living and working in Hyderabad, alongside over two decades of international leadership experience, Keith shares his perspective on how India has evolved from a traditional outsourcing destination into one of the world's most important hubs for innovation, technology and business growth. Together, Stuart and Keith discuss the realities of India's talent market, the rapid rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and why organisations need to move beyond outdated perceptions of the country.

From cultural differences in communication and decision-making to leadership, talent attraction, employee retention and the pace of change across India's economy, this episode offers practical insights for HR and business leaders looking to build stronger relationships and more successful organisations in one of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Key timestamps:

• 03:09 – Moving to India and leading within an Indian-headquartered organisation
• 07:26 – First impressions of India and the realities of living and working there
• 11:41 – Why Hyderabad has become a major technology and Global Capability Centre hub
• 14:00 – India's evolution from cost arbitrage to capability, innovation and strategic value
• 18:56 – Common misconceptions about India's talent market and leadership pipeline
• 21:46 – Cultural differences in communication, hierarchy and decision-making
• 26:36 – Diversity, gender representation and changing workplace dynamics
• 29:18 – Navigating cultural differences in hiring and recruitment
• 33:28 – Building psychological safety and encouraging open communication
• 38:16 – The continued growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs)
• 43:41 – Attrition, employee retention and the rise of boomerang hiring
• 49:58 – Leadership lessons Keith brought back from India to the UK
• 51:39 – Comparing workplace culture and work ethic between India and the UK

Click here for transcript.

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

As people live longer, work longer and redefine what later life looks like, businesses are facing a challenge that many have yet to fully recognise. While organisations continue to invest heavily in attracting early-career talent, many are overlooking one of the fastest-growing and most experienced talent pools available: workers over 50.

In this episode of HR Insights: The Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Lyndsey Simpson, Founder and CEO of 55/Redefined and author of the Sunday Times bestselling book The Age Rebellion. One of the leading voices on age intelligence, Lyndsey works with organisations around the world to rethink how they attract, retain and develop over-50s talent, helping businesses turn demographic change into a competitive advantage.

Together, Stuart and Lyndsey explore why the traditional view of retirement is rapidly becoming outdated, what the "100-year life" means for employers and employees alike, and why many of the assumptions organisations still hold about older workers simply don't stand up to the data. From the myths surrounding ambition and technology to the commercial case for age strategy, the conversation challenges businesses to rethink how they view experience, careers and workforce planning.

The discussion also looks at the rise of multi-generational workforces, the importance of intentionally creating intergenerational teams, and why age should be viewed as a strategic business issue rather than simply another diversity initiative. Whether you're an HR leader, business leader or someone thinking about your own career, this episode offers practical insights into one of the biggest workforce shifts of our time.

Key timestamps

• 00:30 – What the "100-year life" means and why it changes everything
• 05:50 – Debunking the biggest myths surrounding older workers
• 12:05 – Why our perception of age and work needs to evolve
• 17:59 – How ambition, purpose and motivation change later in life
• 24:01 – Why "overqualified" is one of the most damaging labels in recruitment
• 26:04 – Why organisations focus on younger generations and what they're missing
• 27:28 – The commercial value older workers bring to today's businesses
• 29:47 – Why age has become the overlooked element of DE&I strategies
• 30:54 – How demographic change is reshaping the workforce
• 33:37 – The realities of managing a multi-generational workforce
• 37:32 – Building intergenerational teams that drive better performance
• 40:19 – Why storytelling helps bridge generational divides at work
• 43:40 – Where businesses should start when developing an age strategy

View Transcript here

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Alex Atherton, leadership coach, speaker and author of The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the Workplace and Beyond, to explore the realities of managing an increasingly multigenerational workforce.

The conversation challenges some of the most common misconceptions surrounding Gen Z, from assumptions around resilience and work ethic to changing expectations around feedback, career development and workplace culture. Alex shares why understanding the experiences that have shaped younger generations is essential for organisations looking to attract, engage and retain the best talent.

From age diversity and authentic employer branding to social collaboration, leadership and the arrival of Gen Alpha, this episode offers practical insight for HR and business leaders navigating a workforce where four, and soon five, generations are working side by side.

Key timestamps:

• 00:22 – Introduction to career and background
• 03:10 – Generational perspectives on work
• 05:57 – Misconceptions about younger generations
• 10:11 – The changing landscape of business
• 12:48 – Managing multi-generational workforces
• 16:11 – Attracting and retaining Gen Z talent
• 18:55 – Feedback and performance management
• 21:11 – Social collaboration in the workplace
• 24:32 – Future generations and trends in HR

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Marc Ramos, Chief Learning Officer, Harvard Learning Innovation Lab Fellow and MIT-trained AI strategist, to explore how organisations can approach AI adoption without losing sight of the people behind the technology.

The conversation looks at the growing tension between AI-driven efficiency and employee trust, why some businesses may be moving too quickly into implementation, and how leadership communication can shape whether employees feel included or threatened by change.

From trust and transparency to cognitive overload, workplace culture and the future of human connection, this episode offers practical insight for HR, talent and learning leaders navigating AI transformation inside their organisations.

Key timestamps:

• 01:06 - Introduction to AI and Learning Development
• 03:58 - The Current State of AI in Business
• 07:02 - Leadership and AI Implementation
• 09:49 - The Spectrum of AI Adoption
• 13:08 - Risk and Reward in AI Investments
• 15:55 - Communication Strategies for AI Adoption
• 18:56 - Change Management and AI
• 22:00 - The Role of Trust in AI Acceptance
• 25:34 - Trust and Society's Insular State
• 29:19 - The Leadership Gap in Trust
• 33:10 - Human Agency and Cognitive Traps
• 37:27 - AI's Impact on Human Connection
• 42:41 - A Human-Centric AI Strategy

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Will Spencer, Founder & CEO of Rest Easier, and Chris Laughlin, Global Reward Director at Croda, to explore how reward and benefits strategies are evolving beyond traditional perks and toward something far more meaningful: protection, financial wellbeing, and long-term employee support.

The conversation looks at why financial wellbeing has historically lagged behind physical and mental wellbeing, how employee expectations around benefits are changing, and why a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works across today’s multigenerational workforce.

From personalised benefits to the hidden risks of cost-cutting, this episode offers practical insight for HR leaders rethinking how reward strategies can better support employees in today’s workplace.

Key timestamps:

• 07:18 — How employee benefits have evolved
• 12:48 — Why financial wellbeing is often overlooked
• 16:47 — Understanding what employees actually value
• 21:40 — The rise of personalised benefits
• 32:49 — Inside the Rest Easier platform
• 34:01 — Estate planning, inheritance & protecting families
• 39:05 — Financial stress and workplace performance
• 42:37 — The hidden risks of cutting benefits

You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen!