CIPD

What really happens at the World Economic Forum in Davos? And what are global leaders saying about the future of work? Are organisations simply layering AI onto existing systems, or are they facing a fundamental re-engineering of work itself? If intelligence becomes infrastructure, what happens to how we define value and professional identity? And if entry-level roles decline, what does that mean...

Does sustained performance depend less on the learning event itself and more on the environment in which it is applied? In modern workplaces – shaped by inbox overload, operational pressures and competing demands for attention – employees often return from training motivated and well-intentioned, yet without the time, permission or support to put new skills into practice. Without the right conditi...

As volatility becomes the default rather than the exception, what does it really mean for organisations to be ready for change? When it comes to ‘peanut butter’ pay rises, does spreading reward evenly strengthen trust and fairness, or quietly undermine the idea that performance and capability matter? And just how decisive can small moments be — how have acts of trust, stretch or recognition shaped...

As new trends and demands accelerate, how can HR leaders ensure the profession’s foundations are robust enough to support effective and timely action? If AI is becoming part of everyday work, should organisations deliberately test how candidates think, reason and collaborate with AI as part of the recruitment process? And is the rise in temporary work a strategic shift in workforce strategy – or a...

In a tight labour market and amid rapid skills change, organisations face growing pressure to retain critical capability and reduce reliance on external hiring. Yet many employees still can’t see a future inside their organisation, and unclear progression continues to drive attrition. Could strengthening routes for internal mobility provide the strategic response needed to addr...

2026 is set to be another challenging year for organisations and the people profession. As economic uncertainty continues and AI adoption accelerates, where should the profession focus its efforts? How can job design and management capability drive productivity without increasing burnout? And what skills do people professionals need to navigate the year ahead. CIPD Director of Profession David D’S...

Are traditional grievance and disciplinary processes really delivering fairness at work – or are they creating harm, cost and disengagement? With workplace conflict estimated to cost organisations billions each year, how can HR move beyond legacy, retributive systems towards a more people-centred and performance-focused approach to justice? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Da...

Despite technology transforming — and often streamlining — how we work, its impact on productivity has been surprisingly limited. So is productivity misunderstood? We talk about boosting it, measuring it and even “unlocking” it, but what does it really mean in modern organisations, and what role should the people profession play in driving workplace productivity? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’...

Apprenticeship funding is up, and tax-free salary sacrifice on pensions will soon be capped. How have our panellists responded to the UK Government’s Autumn Budget and what does it mean for employers and the workforce? Has the pressure and drive for instant productivity squeezed out hiring for potential? Could organisations be doing more to create routes for internal mobility? And finally, crystal...

How can people make the best decisions when time is short and the stakes are high? Why is decentralising decision-making critical for organisations who want to move decisively? And how can the people profession strike the right balance between innovation and risk mitigation when adopting and implementing AI? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by science broadcaster, author and eme...

A new CIPD report revealed that 62% of employers believe the UK is entering a more unstable period of employee relations. With potential new legal changes arriving soon, those wishing to build positive industrial relations will need to have a transparent approach, underpinned by shared expectations and behaviours. So, what role must people professionals and employers more broadly play in establish...

Some consider annual reviews ‘irrelevant’ and a ‘burden’, but how would you feel about AI playing a role in the performance review process? As media scrutiny continues to question the impact and growing influence of HR, we reflect on the value the profession brings to workplaces. And finally, we ask: trick or treat, when it comes to the Employment Rights Bill? CIPD Director of Profession David D’S...

What does loyalty look like in 2025? In a climate of low wage growth, how can you keep employees motivated and engaged? As warnings come of retirement ages potentially rising above 70 years old, how can employers foster opportunities for skills development for older workers? And are organisations missing a vital growth opportunity by not investing enough in ‘green skills’? CIPD Reference Content M...

Organisations face constant and increasingly complex change, making it critical to bring people along on the journey. But can L&D play a more proactive role in enabling successful transformation by fostering buy-in, anticipating resistance, and building change capability? How can learning professionals go further than training, positioning themselves as strategic and operational partners who b...

Is the introduction of digital ID cards using a ‘nut to crack a sledgehammer’ in the effort to curb illegal work, and what impact might this have on UK employers? Are grievances against HR simply an occupational hazard, and how can HR professionals best manage the emotional and personal toll – especially when they’re in the firing line? Finally, is it reasonable for employers to incentivise employ...

Just how important are team dynamics and psychological safety in driving organisational performance? What behaviours do leaders need to model to create an environment of high performance?  In the second and final episode, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by best-selling author and broadcaster Matthew Syed to explore the role of organisations in driving and enabling high-per...

Should AI be used to resolve conflict in the workplace? Are over-sensationalised stories of ‘eye-rolling’ leading to legal issues masking deeper problems in the workplace? Does ‘lifelong learning’ apply from hire-to-retire for employees? And what lessons can we take around succession planning from a messy football transfer saga?   CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Founder...

Is loneliness at work the hidden crisis no one is talking about? The CIPD’s Good Work Index 2025 report revealed that more than a third of working adults say they sometimes, often, or always feel lonely at work — a feeling that carries serious consequences for organisations. But what can be done? Is it an inevitable by-product of modern working life, exacerbating feelings of isolation, or can orga...

Are we seeing a trend in the merging of HR and IT functions, and how could this reshape the role of the profession? Where’s the line between healthy openness and harmful oversharing in the workplace? Do we still need hard-and-fast, rigid rules for triggering absence management conversations? How do we make accountability a collective standard, rather than a top-down directive?  CIPD Director...

What are the enablers and barriers to high performance working? What factors should individuals and teams consider to improve and achieve better performance outcomes? In the first of two episodes exploring these questions, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza investigates with best-selling author and broadcaster Matthew Syed the type of mindset that needs to be embraced and the kind of cultur...

The psychological contract – those unwritten expectations between employer and employee, so fundamental to building trust and engagement at work – has dramatically shifted. Once based on the promises of security and long-term service, employees now expect the contract to more closely reflect their values, offer flexibility, and align with a deeper sense of purpose. Join Nigel Cassidy and this mont...

Would capping the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection at six months be a reasonable compromise for employers? With hybrid working perceived to have a negative impact on managers’ ability to lead teams effectively, what could organisations be doing differently? And what impact is AI having on the prospects of the latest wave of graduates entering the labour market for the first time?...

When is the right time to communicate organisational change, and how can we strengthen people’s resilience to change? Can a better understanding of neuroscience help manage and implement the change process more effectively? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by author, international speaker, and consultant in the field of neuroscience and change management, Hilary Scarlett. Hoste...

Is it chicken or egg – does leadership shape culture, or does culture shape leadership? The relationship between the two is complex and either one could be the critical ingredient in organisational success. But to what extent can leaders truly set the culture they want or will culture ultimately shape the kind of leadership an organisation produces. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Bet...

What is the ideal ‘span of control’ for a manager and are there obvious warning signs that they might be overstretched? Also in this episode, we discuss results from a new CIPD survey revealing the current perceptions of and the challenges within the people profession, as well as what practitioners have said about their career development prospects. CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is jo...