The Get Britain Working white paper outlines a bold vision to tackle economic inactivity and raise the UK employment rate to 80 per cent. But what does this mean for the people profession? In this episode of the HR People Pod, we put key questions from the CIPD Community to Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. We explore the UK government's plans to transform Jobcentres, support people on long-term sick leave to return to work and deliver on the promise of a new ‘youth guarantee’. CIPD Director of Profession, David D’Souza, is joined by Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. Recorded at CIPD Festival of Work: 12 June 2025

A third of organisations are already using some form of AI or machine learning in recruitment and onboarding. As employers increasingly make use of AI to craft job specifications, screen candidates and streamline processes, what about job seekers? Is it unreasonable for job seekers to use the same technology to improve their chances? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Katie Noble, Talent Strategy Director at Omni RMS; Natalie Sheils, Founder and CEO at Talenaut; and Katie Obi, Chief People Officer at One Advanced — as we explore whether the growing number of organisations banning AI use by candidates are right to do so, or whether there is a more nuanced approach to consider?

How much should ‘policy compliance’ inform pay and bonuses? Apprenticeships are vital to building talent pipelines, but how welcome are upcoming reforms? Is rule breaking essential to breaking into new levels of performance? And how can you best manage the impact of long-term absences on the rest of your team? CIPD Head of Learning, Steve George, is joined by Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer, Europe at Smollan, Kevin Green, Chief People Officer at FirstGroup plc, and Francisca Beloso, Director of Inclusive Diversity at Alvarez & Marsal. Recorded: 30 May 2025 --- Renew your CIPD membership by 1 July 2025 and keep the power of membership working for you. Find further details here: https://www.cipd.org/en/membership/member-area/renewals/

What’s the state of AI adoption across different regions around the world, and how are people professionals reacting to it? Where does the onus lie when it comes to skills development? How can people professionals support and develop employee resilience? And finally, what should be done about the rising trend of ‘stress bragging’? CIPD Director of Profession, David D’Souza, is joined by Dr Adrian Waite, Head of Talent, Leadership and Organisation Effectiveness at Boehringer Ingelheim, in Dubai, and Alison Hodgson, Market Director – Ireland at CIPD. Recorded: 16 May 2025

L&D and OD often operate in silos – one focused on individual learning, the other on strategic and cultural change. But is this separation intentional, and can they truly be effective apart if they share the same goals for organisational growth and adaptation? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Natal Dank, Author of Agile L&D and Executive Director and Principal Consultant at PXO Culture; Jaimini Lakhani, Director at Lumiere; and Steve George, Head of Learning at CIPD — as we explore how greater alignment between L&D and OD can enhance collaboration and help future-proof workforce capabilities.

Could the humble suggestion box make a comeback as the key to acquiring honest, off-the-cuff feedback? What risks do organisations face by ignoring or mismanaging employee voice? Is a gamified approach to performance management the future? And are employees staying faithful or taking part in ‘job polygamy’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Caroline Roberts, HR director at The King’s Fund and associate non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, and Sarah Mason, chief people officer at SThree. Recorded: 2 May 2025

As we look ahead to some of the key themes for International HR Day 2025, this episode — recorded at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 — explores what organisations need to be doing in practical terms to ensure AI becomes a force for good. How are skill requirements expected to evolve over the medium to long term? What role should the profession play in helping organisations navigate change? And finally, is ‘pleasanteeism’ really a thing? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Roisin Walsh, Head of Workforce Capability and Inclusion at Civil Service in Ireland, Radha Barj, Co-Founder and CEO at Rythmik, David Ducheyne, Vice President of European Association for People Management (EAPM). Recorded: CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, 7 November 2024

Change and uncertainty seem inevitable. As organisations navigate global tariffs imposed by the US president, what other priorities should the C-suite address? How might an overreliance on AI affect career progression? Is it time to rethink effective workplace communication? And should we consider adopting body doubling to boost productivity? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Chief People Officer at One Advanced, Katie Obi, and Head of People and Culture at Hastings Hotels Group, Rob Rees. Recorded: 04 April 2025

People with past criminal convictions are a proven source of loyal, capable employees. Yet despite clear benefits, stigma – within business and society – continues to prevent many from finding meaningful work. Our research shows only 17% of prison leavers can secure a job within a year of release. So, what can employers do to offer a second chance and bring more prison leavers safely into our workplaces? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Jacob Hill, Managing Director and Founder of Offploy; Alison Bell, People and Communications Director at Project Leaders Ltd; and Sally Eley, Head of CIPD Trust—as we explore how employers can rethink recruitment, reduce bias, and focus on skills and potential over past mistakes. --- Download the CIPD Trust guide to hiring people with convictions: cipdtrust.org/recruiting-employing-and-retaining-people-with-convictions/ Asses your organisation's current readiness to employ individuals with criminal convictions with Offploy's quiz for employers: www.offploy.org/employ

Five years after the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, many employers are still adapting to the knock-on effects of the pandemic but what has been the lasting impact on the HR profession? Meanwhile, how can you best manage the internal narrative in the face of public and media scrutiny? Can a ‘coachbot’ really offer mentorship? And what do our panel think of the concept of gentle leadership? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Group People and Culture Director at KYN, Emma Jayne, and Head of HR at Crimson Hotels Limited, Gareth Neale. Recorded: 21 March 2025

With plans to introduce a ‘right to switch off’ facing the axe in the UK, do we need formal legislation, or could boundaries be better managed by employers? What role should people professionals play in shifting the culture of toxic workplaces? How can we maintain that curiosity and hunger for learning? Finally, how big of an issue is ‘career catfishing’? In this episode, CIPD People and Transformation Director Amanda Arrowsmith is joined by three recent CIPD People Management Outstanding Student award winners: Jamila Lecky, People Transformation and Change Manager at Group M; Victoria Keith, Global Talent, Learning and Development Manager at Total Marketing Support Limited; and Rose Watkins-Jones, People Partner at Impression Digital. Recorded: 7 March 2025 --- Keep up to date with latest amends to the Employment Rights Bill and developments to the government's Make Work Pay plan: https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/employment-law/proposed-changes-under-labour-government/

HR professionals play a unique role within organisations but often find themselves in morally challenging or conflicting situations. These challenges may include balancing business needs—such as managing large-scale redundancies—while also supporting individuals through deeply personal difficulties and absorbing the emotional weight that entails. Over time, this toll can increase the risk of exhaustion, ultimately leading to burnout. Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Amy McKeown, an award-winning health, mental health, and wellbeing strategist and consultant, and Rachel Suff, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser for Employee Relations at the CIPD—as we explore the often-hidden emotional burden of working in HR and why setting boundaries is essential for maintaining wellbeing in the profession.

Times are tough; is there an alternative to headcount reductions and hiring freezes? With redundancy intentions at their highest level in a decade, how can HR professionals manage the mental load of implementing redundancies and can there ever be a ‘best’ way to deliver news about job losses? Finally, is there such a thing as a ‘mini-retirement’? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Mel Steel, former HR director and interim people and transformation leader; and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting. Recorded: 21 February 2025 --- CIPD HR30 Nominations Time to recognise excellence in HR! The CIPD HR30 celebrates the top 30 HR leaders driving innovation, shaping workplace culture and making real impact. Do you know someone who’s making a difference, leading change and driving the profession forward? This is your chance to highlight their achievements and contribution. Visit cipdhr30.co.uk before 26 March to find out more and submit your nomination.

Workers are being afforded more responsibility with no uplift in pay - but how commonplace are ‘dry promotions’? How do we decide the value of a job and therefore how much an employee gets paid? Does the UK have a work ethic crisis? And can you fail ‘intelligently’ or do mistakes always carry a risk? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Head of HR, UK Functions at HSBC, Elizabeth Harvey; and Senior VP HR Europe and Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Firstsource, Jo Carlin. Recorded: 7 February 2025

If employers were offered a way to meet their skills and workforce needs while also addressing long-term engagement and retention challenges, wouldn’t most, if not all, jump at the chance? Statistically, apprenticeships offer exactly that. Yet only 6% of young people are undertaking an apprenticeship. So, is it time for employers to reacquaint themselves with the benefits apprenticeship routes can bring to their business? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests: Karen Handley, Virgin Media O2 Head of Future Careers; Sinead Trudgill, Director of Learning and Organisation Development at Network Rail; and Andrea Gordon, HR Consultant, as we explore whether apprenticeships are the key to tackling some of your organisation’s primary workforce challenges. --- A reminder if you're a Student member, bookings are now open for the CIPD Student Conference 2025 taking place on 8 March. This virtual half-day event is included as part of your membership and is a great opportunity to explore future-focused HR topics, gain career insights, and connect with people professionals and your peers. Don't miss out, claim your free ticket at cipd.org/studentconf2025

How will a new government in the White House and changing business attitudes in the United States affect the UK? Is 2025 the year where ‘AI agents’ enter the workforce, and if so, how should the people profession manage virtual employees? And what is the practice of ‘snitch tagging’ and how should your organisation respond? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by People & Transformation Director at CIPD, Amanda Arrowsmith; Chief Executive at NHS Employers, Daniel Mortimer; and Chief People Officer at Gray Dawes Travel and Founder of Tap HR, Patricia Hewitt. Recorded: 24 January 2025 --- CIPD HR30 Nominations Time to recognise excellence in HR! The CIPD HR30 celebrates the top 30 HR leaders driving innovation, shaping workplace culture and making real impact. Do you know someone who’s making a difference, leading change and driving the profession forward? This is your chance to highlight their achievements and contribution. Visit cipdhr30.co.uk before 26 March to find out more and submit your nomination.

From strategic alignment to establishing a common purpose, what lessons can people professionals learn from the hit TV show ‘The Traitors’? As business confidence diminishes, and employers face rising business costs, what approach should you take with communicating with your people? And are you guilty of ‘corporate catfishing’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by HR Consultant, Andrea Gordon; and Group People and Culture Director at KYN, Emma Jayne.

New Year’s resolutions fail. Surprised? Probably not. But is the high failure rate a reason to avoid setting goals – especially in our professional lives? Behavioural science would argue ‘failure’ isn’t down to a lack of will power, but rather a reliance on vague goals without the structure of actionable habits. So are small, consistent actions that drive meaningful change and support long-term achievement, really the stepping stone to bridge the gap between intention and success? Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests: Psychologist and Director at Aurora, Obehi Alofoje; and Chief People Officer at Ipsos UK, Kerri O’Neill, as we dive into the psychology behind cultivating meaningful and sustained workplace goals. Additionally, we explore why building habits is a more effective path to success than traditional goal setting.

Can companies make their festive celebrations fun and risk-free at the same time? Will the new youth guarantee for 18–21-year-olds actually help to address economic activity among young people? Are you alert to the practice of ‘malicious compliance’? And what bold predictions do our panel have for the profession in 2025? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by bestselling author and host of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat podcast, Bruce Daisley; director at Willow HR, Laura Callahan; OD consultant at Distinction Business Consulting, Garin Rouch; and CIPD’s senior policy advisor on skills, Lizzie Crowley. Recorded 6 December 2024

Are people justified in their resistance of artificial intelligence, or should they accept its power in creating progress in the workplace? Equally, are organisations under too much pressure to act quickly in the face of evolving AI capability? In this special recording of the HR People Pod, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Professor Michael Wooldridge, director for AI at Alan Turing Institute and professor of AI at University of Oxford, who suggests, “all AI programmes are, are glorified pocket calculators”. Addressing that interesting viewpoint and more, we unpack some of the burning questions around AI use in the workplace and within the profession. This episode was recorded live at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition. Recorded: 6 November 2024