The HR Room Podcast

Learning and development is vital for any organisation. With new skills needed for employees, managers, HR teams and leaders, the challenge of upskilling effectively is one that many organisations are facing. And with new technology and ways to learn, many are unsure where to start! Well the good news is, today, we’re joined by a seasoned expert in reskilling and upskilling, who can guide us throu...

We might have a New Year, but are there are any new trends we should be aware of as we head into another busy year? Well today we’re joined by someone who can give us some great insights into this –  founder of Better Workday and the driving force behind the Better Workday Survey, a productivity and workplace, wellbeing expert and public speaker, the wonderful Niamh Moynihan.   In this episode, we...

Today we’ve got a special episode, the first of many C-suite specials, where we’ll be talking to senior leaders in various industries and organisations, sharing advice and insights for HR teams an employers everywhere. And we couldn’t think of a better way than to kick it off, than speaking to someone within a sector that we have worked so often with, and thoroughly enjoy working with, the brillia...

As we come to the end of the year, I’m sure many of you are thinking about New Years Resolutions, or maybe even more specifically, about how you can come back to work in 2025 with a fresh start and some clear goals.  So, joining us today to share their thoughts on what HR professionals and teams should be focusing on in the New Year, we’re delighted to be joined by Megan Power, HR Consultant here...

We’re back with the second instalment in our two-part, selection box series, containing some of the highlights from the year gone by.  Our selection box last week was packed with clips discussing some inspiring stories about the great work being done across the HR community. This week though, we’re filling this episode with clips discussing some of the nitty gritty side of HR, and the many many em...

Firstly, Happy Christmas to all of our listeners! A huge thank you for listening in this year, and hearing some of the fantastic insights and advice we were lucky enough to get from some amazing guests yet again this year. So as a thanks, and as a summary of some of the brilliant conversations we’ve had this year, we’re finishing 2024 with a two-part, selection box series, containing some of the h...

It’s not just any episode, it’s episode 200 of The HR Room podcast! 200 episodes, 200 weeks in a row, with over 150 different guests, and 50,000 listens, making us Ireland’s longest-running HR podcast, with much more on the way too. And to mark the occasion, we're speaking to somebody who you’ve heard from 200 times, but who has never been the guest on this podcast! So to talk to us about her stor...

Another Christmas-related episode this week, as we unwrap employee engagement and reward, and how prioritising your reward strategy can have a positive effect on your people and your organisation. From Christmas vouchers and bonuses to salary and benefits, this is something that really isn’t just for Christmas, and should be thought about all year round! So to talk about this, sharing his extensiv...

Workplace Investigations are a notoriously tricky challenge for HR teams and employers, with tough situations needing to be tackled, with integrity, transparency and a serious time commitment. We need only look back at our own coverage of this topic on our podcast, our webinar series, our blog, and more, to see that it’s hugely popular for our audience. However, today, we’re covering something tha...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so you know what that means? Christmas Party time! And while these can be jolly and jovial affairs for most organisations, things have been known to turn sour quite easily, with many HR teams having to deal with the fallout from things like conflict, sexual harassment or other serious misconduct that can ruin the Christmas spirit, very quickly. So to ta...

According to a 2023 survey by the Central Statistics Office, 32% of workers aged between 20 and 69 are not signed up to a private pension. Without a change, hundreds of thousands of workers would be reliant solely on their State pension when they retire. But thankfully, the long-awaited and well-publicised pension auto-enrolment plan is now closer than ever, with employers and employees now double...

Significant updates to Ireland's employment permit system were recently introduced with the Employment Permits Act 2024, which took effect on September 2nd, in the hope of enhancing the system's efficiency, offering a more flexible and responsive approach to the evolving needs of the labour market, and essentially streamline the processes, making it easier for employers to recruit international ta...

Divine intervention in disciplinary procedures?! In today’s episode we focus on a crucial element of fair disciplinary procedures: the employee's right to representation, and all the weird and wonderful nuances that can come with it! So to discuss why representation matters, how to manage the process, and what employers need to do to ensure this right is respected, we’re delighted to be joined by...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into some important updates that will affect employers and employees across Ireland – the Maternity Protection (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024. This new legislation introduces some significant changes to maternity leave and protections for parents in the workplace. We’re discussing what these changes mean, why they’re needed, and how HR professio...

In this episode, we’re diving into some fascinating insights from Deloitte’s latest survey of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies.  The survey has revealed some key trends that are shaping the future of business in Ireland - everything from international expansion and sustainability, to the growing emphasis on talent retention. And to talk us through the findings, we’re delighted to be joined by no o...

Today, we're diving into one of the more challenging and often nerve-wracking aspects of HR—managing a workplace disciplinary hearing. It’s a process that, when not handled properly, can lead to unnecessary stress, strained relationships, and even legal challenges. But it doesn’t have to be that way.  So, in this episode, to guide us through these complex procedures, outline best practices, common...

While Ireland is known for its rich diversity and inclusive spirit, the reality is that racism remains an active issue in many organisations. As HR professionals, it’s crucial to not only recognise and address these challenges head-on but also to proactively foster a culture of inclusion and respect. So today, we share practical advice on how to effectively combat racism in the workplace - from im...

A 2017 survey by the Transgender Equality Network Ireland found that 55% of respondents indicated that they had experienced or witnessed transphobic bullying in the workplace. In the 7 years since this survey, although we’ve seen progress in policies, culture, gender expression etc., challenges still remain for transgender people, with this issue far from solved. So to chat to us today and provide...

So you've caught someone red-handed, stealing from the workplace. Is what you do next simply black and white? Or is there some grey areas and a lot of red tape? If something like this happens out of the blue, will you be ready to manage it? Luckily today, and also in our webinar at the end of the month, we’re be offering up some advice on a silver platter! So to do exactly that, and guide us throu...

Although redundancies did capture the headlines in recent years and in certain sectors, redundancies are a challenge that many organisations across all industries will face at some point.  Thankfully, we have robust legislation in place, with even more changes recently announced! But as with any new legislation or HR subject like this, it’s always a challenge to make sure you’re doing the right th...

As I’m sure we’ve all realised by now, remote working isn’t a simple black and white subject for employers and employees alike. Yes, we have a code of practice, but the nuances, the contributing factors, the circumstances and even some case law still raise questions about how exactly all of this should operate. Well to help us sift through this and hopefully give a clearer picture on what is a big...

In recent years, the rise of far-right movements and political shifts have brought renewed scrutiny and resistance to DEI efforts. Studies show that nearly 70% of organisations worldwide are re-evaluating their DEI strategies due to changing political climates. With a pivotal U.S. presidential election on the horizon, the ripple effects could be felt across boardrooms, influencing corporate cultur...

Are you a standalone HR professional, a one person department, managing the HR function? Are you feeling overwhelmed and under-supported, but keen to do as much as you can? Well, the good news is, you’re not the only one. So many people that we speak to here at Insight HR are in this exact position, going solo in HR, trying to do the best they can, but needing our help. And more good news, as toda...

Back in 2018, Down Syndrome Ireland surveyed their members and found that only 6% of people were in deep and meaningful employment. Although many HR teams and organisations know that people with Down Syndrome should be supported and included, clearly something is missing. But thankfully, Down Syndrome Ireland is doing some fantastic work in this area to help make a change.   So today we’re delight...

48pc of neurodivergent people have not disclosed their condition at work. This is a statistic that we spoke to Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland about recently on this very podcast, in the context of their neurodiversity strategy that they built in partnership with a select number of experts in this area, one being Auticon, who’s purpose is to help companies become a destinatio...