The HR Issue

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The HR Issue Season 2 is coming soon.

From budget cuts to DE&I, culture to engagement, we’re unpacking the big challenges shaping people teams across the UK.

Season 2 starts on January 20th 2026.

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Unpacking the Employment Rights Bill 

Join us for this very special episode of The HR Issue where we break down the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, its groundbreaking policies and what it will mean for employees, organisations and HR teams across the country in 2026 and beyond.  

Fractional CPO, one of HR Magazine's Most Influential Practitioners of 2025 and host of the upcoming second season of our podcast, Nebel Crowhurst is joined by Jo Faragher, award-winning journalist, contributor to Personnel Today and author of Good Work, Great Technology. 

Tune in as they explore: 

• A timeline of the Employment Rights Bill from its origins as a manifesto pledge to its upcoming Royal Assent 
• Key proposals from the 28-policy bill such as Day 1 rights, a ban on fire and rehire and reforms to zero hours contracts, sick pay and parental leave 
• The cultural and financial significance of the bill and how its impact on organisations will vary depending on their existing policies  
• The anticipated costs for employers, including an estimated 15% rise in tribunal claims, and the necessity of cost modelling and scenario planning 
• How the bill presents an opportunity for businesses to attract talent and redefine their employee value proposition through compliance with new policies 

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Often when we talk about employee wellbeing, we neglect to think of ourselves, the HR professionals behind the programmes, the initiatives and the benefits. But in HR, we’re seeing more and more people leaving their roles, often citing burnout as the major reason.  

Fresh off the publication of her recent study into the state of HR wellbeing, Dr Jo Burrell, multi-ward winning clinical psychologist and Co-Founder of Ultimate Resilience, will be joining Chris to explore:   

• How research from nearly 1,400 respondents in the HR community has revealed a huge decline in wellbeing amongst people professionals, alongside other major trends and areas of concern 
• The reasons behind the burnout, the lack of support at present and why HR are leaving their roles in larger numbers than ever before 
• What it is that makes HR one of the most stressful professionals to work in and the  
• How we can address and remedy this, supporting HR wellbeing and empowering them to secure their own seatbelts 
• The importance of HR Supervision in offering an ongoing system of support that affords HR the time to reflect, process and address their own mental wellbeing 

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What we eat has a huge impact on our physical health, the energy we have, and our mental wellbeing. This ultimately plays a part in shaping the individual that we bring to our personal and professional lives. But we often overlook what our brains need in terms of nutrition to support sleep, mental health and overall cognitive function. 

Chris will be joined by Kimberley Wilson, a chartered psychologist with a master’s degree in nutrition and the author of How to Build a Healthy Brain (2020) and Unprocessed: How the Food We Eat is Fuelling our Mental Health Crisis (2023) to discuss the psychological impact of nutrition in our personal and professional lives.  

Chris and Kimberley will explore: 

• How nutrition plays a crucial role in reinforcing physical wellness and forging mental strength and resilience 
• Why a balanced diet offers the building blocks of nutrients that our brains need to produce serotonin, dopamine, citicoline and other brain chemicals 
• The power of “brain food”, what it looks like and how to find it in a world where 50% of the UK adult average calorie count is coming from ultra-processed foods. 
• The responsibility of employers to promote a culture of positive nutrition amongst their workforces 
• How HR can offer education on nutrition and improve access to “brain foods” in a hybrid working environment  

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The role that fitness has on reinforcing positive mental health, through the release of endorphins, reduction of stress and even alleviation of symptoms of anxiety and depression, is undeniable. But with 46% of UK employees feeling unsupported by their employer when it comes to physical wellbeing, organisations clearly need to be doing more to support the health of their people.  

Chris Britton will be joined by medical doctor, yoga teacher and breathwork and meditation coach, Dr Rebekah Lawrence, to discuss the transformative power of fitness in cultivating a strong and positive mindset amongst teams. They will also address the necessity for employers to provide education, resources and a supportive culture that prioritises the physical health of every member of their workforce, inclusive of disabilities and specific needs.  

Chris and Rebekah will dive into: 

• The role of exercise and movement in nerve regulation, pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement and boosting all-round health 
• Steps businesses can take to create a workspace and environment that caters for the physical needs of its people  
• The education and resources that can unlock a passion and commitment to physical health within a workforce 
• How organisations can ensure their wellbeing programmes are inclusive of those with disabilities and specific physical needs 
• The effectiveness of breaking down exercise into ‘snack-sized’ segments and the need for protected wellbeing timeslots that fit neatly around the working day 

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Money can be a taboo subject amongst family and friends, but with only 6% of Brits feeling comfortable enough to discuss financial anxiety with their colleagues or managers, it’s no surprise that many employees are suffering in silence. Providing benefits to extend people’s salaries is almost expected of employers in 2025 but going above and beyond that to offer financial education and put a system in place that supports long-term financial health is absolutely crucial as we continue to battle the heightened cost of living. 

Chris will be joined by Phoebe Matthews, Community Engagement Specialist at nudge, to discuss:  

• The link between financial wellbeing and mental health - the cost of not talking and how suffering in silence can exacerbate both 

• Breaking analysis paralysis and the familiar pattern of debt, anxiety, money mismanagement and overspending 

• The financial needs of the multigenerational workforce and the provision of education around student loans, mortgages, investing and other financial decisions 

• How can we create a welcoming environment with sensible boundaries for employees to talk about with their managers and HR teams? 

• Building a digital space for self-help that removes the perceived stigma of needing financial support 

• The key tools HR teams and managers can use to offer support for financial stress and debt in the workplace 

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With many UK companies now employing a blend of full-time, part-time and contingent workers, working across in-person, remote or hybrid roles, the challenge for employers to support the wellbeing of each and every individual has never been higher. And at a time when 1 in 3 UK employees experiences loneliness and disconnection at work, it’s been proven that a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work when there’s too many moving parts. So how can HR look to offer personalised wellbeing support at a time when our teams are working apart? 

Join Chris Britton, People Experience Director and Michelle Hartley, Founder of People Sorted and the HR Geek Squad, as they explore: 

• The upsides and drawbacks of each mode of work on an individual’s wellbeing, the levels of Zoom fatigue and “the dark side of remote” 

• Building and shaping a digital environment that can substitute for the physical in connecting remote and hybrid teams 

• The necessity for managers to lead by example, strive for better and adopt a personalised approach to wellbeing 

• How to build and shape a physical office culture that supports wellbeing and replicate this to your online locations 

• The power of giving choice to your people to look after their wellbeing, empowering them no matter their age, career stage and responsibilities  

• How to show true appreciation for individuals with a holistic approach to wellbeing  

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The HR Issue - a new podcast exploring the evolving world of work.

From budget cuts to DE&I, culture to engagement, we’re unpacking the big challenges shaping people teams across the UK.

Season 1 drops August 12th.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.