Performance management has been a cornerstone of HR for decades - but is it still doing what it’s meant to do?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re diving deep into the world of performance management - the processes, the pain points, and the possibilities for change. Are traditional appraisal systems still fit for purpose in today’s workplaces? What’s working, what’s not, and how do both managers and employees really feel after going through them?

In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Crystel Robbins Rynne, Chief Operating Officer at HR Locker, to unpack what’s wrong with the old performance review model - and what needs to change. Together, they explore how to turn reviews from a once-a-year box-ticking exercise into a continuous, constructive process that supports both managers and employees.

Guests

Crystel Robbins Rynne – Chief Operating Officer, HRLocker

Topics include

References

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR, where we talk to business leaders and HR professionals from around Ireland about the topics that matter most to people leaders today.

If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues and friends — and leave us a review!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

With the EU Pay Transparency Directive on the horizon and gender pay gap reporting obligations expanding to more Irish employers, how can organisations prepare for the changes - and ensure they’re creating fair, equitable workplaces for all?

In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Anita Whyte Moran, founder and host of The Femcast podcast, to explore the evolving landscape of gender equality in Ireland. Together, they discuss the state of play for women in leadership, what pay transparency really means for employers, and how culture and psychological safety play critical roles in achieving real equality.

Guests:

Anita Whyte Moran – Founder & Host of The Femcast

Topics include:

References

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

When artificial intelligence speaks with confidence - but gets the facts wrong - what happens next? And how do you reduce the risk and spot fake facts?

In this episode, Dave and Mary explore the growing “AI authority problem”: our tendency to believe confidently delivered misinformation. Prompted by a recent case where AI-generated legal papers by a Ryanair employee derailed a €170,000 WRC claim, we unpack what happens when “fake facts” reach real-world settings like boardrooms, and HR departments.

Guests:

Topics include:

References

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

In this episode of The HR Room, we uncover the hidden cost of bullying at work - from its devastating impact on mental health and morale to the massive financial and reputational losses organizations often overlook.

Hosts Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director – Insight HR) and Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) are joined by Catherine Jane O’Rourke (Employment Law Senior Associate at Hayes Solicitors)

We unpack how bullying festers in modern workplaces, why policies often fail to stop it, and what leaders can do to create truly safe and respectful environments. We explore its legal definitions, the significant financial and invisible costs to businesses, and the importance of having effective policies and training in place to prevent bullying.

Webinar: Bullying at Work – How to Take Effective Action

In our October HR Room webinar, Dave will be joined by Joe Thompson (Head of HR Services – Insight HR) and Dr. Jen Fraser, PhD (Author of The Bullied Brain). You’ll hear practical strategies for identifying, preventing and responding to bullying in the workplace – from understanding legal responsibilities, to how to implement clear policies and foster a culture of respect.

Taking place at 11.15am on Wednesday October 29th.

Register here, don’t miss your spot!

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

In this episode of The HR Room, hosts Mary Cullen (Founder, MD - Insight HR) and Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead - Insight HR) discuss the rising trend of quiet redundancies, particularly in the context of recent layoffs at TikTok. They're joined by Adrian Twomey (Partner - Jacob and Twomey Solicitors) to explore the implications of these practices on employees and the role of trade unions in the redundancy process.

The conversation also dives into the legal considerations surrounding redundancies, the impact of AI on employment, and the importance of clear communication and planning in managing workforce changes. 

Topics covered include: 

The Journal article that we reference on the accusations of TikTok making 'quiet' redundancies' can be found here. 

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re joined by Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme at Deloitte, to unpack the findings from their latest research in collaboration with UCD Smurfit. We explore how Irish businesses are embracing AI to boost productivity and support employees, how rising costs are shaping strategy, and why talent acquisition and retention remain the biggest barriers to growth. From innovation and international expansion to employee engagement and wellbeing, Brian shares what the country’s best managed companies are doing today to future-proof their organisations and win the war for talent.

We chat about: 

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

In this episode, hosts Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) and Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director - Insight HR) are joined by Insight HR’s Commercial Director Liam Barton to discuss the evolving landscape of work in Ireland, particularly focusing on the shift towards remote and hybrid work arrangements post-pandemic. They explore the reasons behind Ireland's high rate of hybrid work, the implications of return-to-office policies, and the potential for conflict and stress among employees.

Topics covered include:

References:

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

This week, we're talking about AI – in particular, its transformative immediate and potential impact on HR.

Hosts Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) & Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director – Insight HR) are joined by Stephanie Prenderville (Founder – SP Consulting), a HR leader and consultant who has undergone change and transformation projects at Aer Lingus, AIB, Diageo, Pfizer, Tesco and many more.

We explore the potential benefits, risks and possibilities of introducing AI into HR functions and the importance of developing AI literacy among HR professionals. We also discuss the importance of maintaining a human element in AI implementation to ensure ethical and effective use.

Topics we cover include:

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected].

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave Corkery is joined by Mary Cullen, founder of Insight HR, and Ed Brzychcy, executive coach and leadership consultant, to explore the power of coaching for HR leaders.

From the misconceptions around AI-driven coaching to the transformative impact of real human coaching conversations, this discussion dives into why coaching is a critical tool for HR leaders looking to shape culture, empower teams, and lead with purpose.

🎙️ Whether you’re an HR leader considering coaching for yourself, or an executive looking to strengthen your leadership legacy, this episode is packed with insights, personal stories, and practical advice.

Register for our executive coaching webinar

As mentioned, we are hosting a live webinar on executive coaching for HR leadership where we'll be joined again by Ed, and with our own Megan Power, Head of Change and Transformation. You can register for that right here. 

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we explore the crucial role of mediation in resolving workplace conflict. Our Head of Strategy & Growth Barry Casserly hands over the podcast hosting reigns to Dave Corkery, Insight HR’s new Content & Social Media Lead. They’re joined by Joe Thompson, Head of Support Services at Insight HR, an accredited mediator who brings a wealth of experience on the subject.

From spotting when mediation is appropriate, to understanding the process step by step, to building trust and neutrality as a mediator, this episode is packed with insights for HR professionals and leaders who want to handle conflict effectively.

In this episode, we cover:

01:30 – Why Mediation?

04:55 – When Not to Mediate

07:35 – The Mediation Process

12:20 – Building Trust

17:40 – Staying Neutral as a Mediator

18:20 – Barry’s Perspective as a People Leader

21:20 – Success Stories

23:40 – When Mediation Fails

25:15 – Key Takeaways & Closing

As promised, if you’d like to learn more about our mediation services, or have a confidential chat, you can find more info and contact us here.

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at [email protected] or on LinkedIn here.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader. 

If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have!

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests

Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 0567701060 or [email protected]

What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited