Any of our more regular listeners will know that one thing has featured on this podcast more than anything else in recent months. No, I don’t mean me, I don’t mean Mary, I mean one thing that HR people everywhere will know all too well, it’s that ever-growing HR to-do list. And from what we hear, you all know why this has come up so often - it’s been a busy couple of years for HR teams and organisations! So the good news is, if you have a big HR to-do list, you’re not alone. But the even better ...
May 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 170
Ireland continues to grow and change. And in recent years, the workplace and organisations have certainly felt that growth and change with remote working, more progressive policies, diversity and inclusion, and so much more, along with the natural reflection from wider society too. As they say though, nothing worth having comes easy, and with progress comes challenges, and things we can do better. So to talk to us about this today from a workplace level, national level, and a personal level, we’...
May 07, 2024•36 min•Ep. 169
Bank of Ireland recently launched its Neuroinclusion Strategy, including a suite of policies and process improvements to support neurodivergent colleagues and candidates. In line with its ambition to be one the best places to work, Bank of Ireland aims to become one of the most neuroinclusive organisations in the country. But what does this involve, how are they going about it, and why? To talk us through this we’re delighted to be joined by Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland....
Apr 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 168
Although legislation, policies and practices have been aiming to prevent, or at least minimise, workplace discrimination for decades, this is still a very live issue. We need only look at the headlines, the WRC case reports and the various survey findings to discover that, although there is so much being done, so much more needs to be done. So to talk to us about exactly that, we’re delighted to be joined again by our very own Megan Power, HR Consultant here at Insight HR. About The HR Room Podc...
Apr 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 167
Pregnancy, early parenthood, maternity leave etc. – some of the most important, happiest, and also challenging times in your life, as you navigate the world of soon-to-be, or brand new, parenthood. However, on top of the challenges of adapting to this, many women in Ireland are also facing challenges in the workplace or from their organisation in the form of maternity discrimination. So to talk us through this topic, discussing legislation, prevention and everything in between, we’re delighted t...
Apr 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 166
The annual CIPD–IRN private sector report has recently been released, and captures the changing pay and employment trends as well as the drivers of change in the labour market in Ireland. It’s always an interesting and useful piece of research, and this year is no different, with some fantastic insights into the world of work here in Ireland. And to share some of these insights and speak to us today, we’re delighted to be joined by Mary Connaughton, Director at CIPD Ireland. About The HR Room Po...
Apr 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 165
As noted by the Open Doors Initiative at their recent leaders summit, “this socially charged world is requiring companies to re-examine their CSR policy. Not only do consumers demand it, but employees do, too. It’s evolved from corporate social responsibility to corporate social justice.” Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Well today, we’re going to be talking about this concept of corporate social justice with not one, but two, special guests - Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of the Open Doors Initiative, an...
Apr 02, 2024•33 min•Ep. 161
Regulations have been published setting out new “on the spot” fines that can be imposed on employers by a Workplace Relations Commission inspector for employment law offences. But which offences are included, how will this work, and what must employers do to ensure they don’t get fined? To answer these questions and more, we’re delighted to be joined by Sarah Lawn, Senior associate in the Employment Law Group at Arthur Cox. About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight H...
Mar 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 164
It’s finally here! On the off chance you missed it, the new Code of Practice for Employers and Employees Right to Request Flexible Working and Right to Request Remote Working finally landed, meaning that employers and employees now have clarity on this topic – we think! But there’s lots to unpick here, and lots of things employers must be aware of. So to talk to us about this, we’re delighted to be joined by Jennifer Cashman, Partner & Head of Employment at RDJ Solicitors. About The HR Room ...
Mar 19, 2024•52 min•Ep. 163
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law.” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We’ve all heard this on criminal dramas from the US. But of course, things aren’t always as simple as they sound – and when we talk about the right to silence here in Ireland, under the lens of a workplace investigation, it’s certainly a little bit different, to say the least! So to talk to us about this, along with a case that has brought this topic to the forefront of...
Mar 12, 2024•49 min•Ep. 162
Later this week, we will be celebrating International Women’s Day again, an annual call to all to keep pushing for equality and inclusion for women everywhere. And one of the biggest pieces of work in driving this in workplaces, and something that will be particularly familiar to our listeners, is the gender pay gap. So, as gender pay gap reporting expands this year, and progress continues to be made, just how are we doing when it comes to the gender pay gap here in Ireland? To talk us through t...
Mar 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 160
As you may have seen, the 2024 edition of Morgan McKinley’s Salary Guide, which analyses salary data for a range of IT roles across Ireland, has been released. Morgan McKinley surveyed 650 businesses and 3,400 professionals as part of its overall research, unveiling some interesting and useful findings! And to talk us through the findings and more, we’re delighted to be joined by Eoin Connolly, Operations Director at Morgan McKinley Ireland. About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a ser...
Feb 27, 2024•41 min•Ep. 159
Is AI going to steal all of our jobs? No, but somebody with AI skills, just might! In episode 158 of The HR Room Podcast, we speak to AI & Digital Transformation Expert and Author, Kieran Gilmurray, about all things AI - the opportunities, the risks, the potential for your organisation, and how to get started! Check out more of Kieran's great work, expertise, and AI consultancy services right here ! About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to bu...
Feb 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 158
This Valentines Day, as always, love is in the air – but what happens when love is in the workplace? Are there certain rules, is it a thorny issue for employers, or is all fair in love and work? Well to speak to us about this, we’re delighted to be joined again by Catherine Hayes, Managing Associate in the Employment team at Lewis Silkin Ireland. 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 on how...
Feb 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 157
2023 & the start of 2024 brought some more key updates in employment law and the world of work, as we’ve spoke about in recent weeks. And one of the most welcome updates, has come in the area of domestic violence leave and support for victims and survivors. But how do we navigate this as employers, how do we manage these situations, and how can we make sure we’re giving the right support to those affected? Well to answer these questions and many more, we’re delighted to be joined by Naoimh M...
Feb 06, 2024•44 min•Ep. 155
It’s that time of year again to guide you through employment law for the year ahead, as we explore some of the key updates, topics and challenges HR teams are facing and need to focus on in 2024. And to do this we’re delighted to be joined again by Jennifer Cashman, Partner & Head of Employment at RDJ Solicitors. 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 on how to create the HR systems and ...
Jan 30, 2024•40 min•Ep. 156
An article in the Irish Times last week, reads that “The vast majority of Irish employers will not change their hybrid working policies this year, according to a new survey from Hays Ireland, but a large proportion will require more physical office attendance from their employees than recent years.” Is 2024 marking a big shift in ways of working? Is worklife balance going to simply survive or thrive this year? Where do organisations and their employees stand? Well to answer these questions and m...
Jan 23, 2024•41 min•Ep. 154
There have been substantial changes to immigration law in Ireland in recent months, with huge progress being made and with many employers being very actively interested in this area of employment law. But with critical skills, salary requirements, eligibility, naturalisation, rules and procedures, and much more, there is a lot for HR teams and organisations to get their heads around. But to help us do that today, we’re delighted to be joined by Cian Moriarty, Partner in the Employment Group at P...
Jan 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 153
Although the past year or so has brought a whole raft of new legislation and updates to employment law, many of these updates have been hugely beneficial, people-focused, and progressive in nature, meaning that employees are getting many more positive changes in the workplace. And one group who has certainly been covered by these changes, and we hope will feel the benefit is families, parents and carers. And to speak to us about this, we’re delighted to be joined by Deirdre Malone, Partner, Head...
Jan 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 152
From Happy Christmas to Happy New Year - that was quick! A huge thank you again 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. This week, comes the second in our two-part, selection box series, containing some of the highlights from the year gone by. In this episode, check out some clips from our interviews with Judith Curran (Counsel, Employment Law & Benefits at Mason, Hayes & C...
Jan 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 151
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 2023 with a two-part, selection box series, containing some of the highlights from the year gone by. In this episode, check out some clips from our interviews with Peter Cheese ...
Dec 26, 2023•24 min•Ep. 150
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 2024 with a fresh start and some clear goals. Well, if so, then we’ve got just the chat for you now as we’ll be discussing New Year’s Resolutions for HR professionals! Joining us today to share her 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 C...
Dec 19, 2023•39 min•Ep. 149
Hot off the press, Laya Healthcare have recently released the findings of their Workplace Wellbeing Index 2023, one of Ireland’s largest studies among Irish employees and employers in the workplace. This research surveyed 1,000 employees in Ireland across a range of sectors, polled 200 HR leaders across Ireland, and also conducted a range of in-depth interviews. And to talk to us about the findings of this research, we’re delighted be joined by Sinead Proos, Head of Health & Wellbeing at Lay...
Dec 12, 2023•40 min•Ep. 148
Long-term absence is something that nobody wants to face. Firstly of course, the employee, who is going through either a physical or mental challenge and is being forced to be sidelined from work. And secondly, the employer who is caught between caring for their colleague but also trying to run a business at full strength. So what can HR teams and employers do to manage this? Well to talk to us about this we’re joined by two of our very own leading experts and HR Consultants in this area, Liam B...
Dec 05, 2023•32 min•Ep. 147
Protected disclosures, whistleblowing – a topic that’s been on the minds and to-do list for HR teams and employers for quite some time now, but something that many are still struggling with. And with further deadlines looming, are you and your organisation up-to-speed on what to do, how to do it, and when to do it? Well to help you assess where you stand, and what you need to do next, we’re delighted to chat all about protected disclosures, with David McCauley, Senior Associate at McCann Fitzger...
Nov 28, 2023•35 min•Ep. 146
Social media and work – two things, that although we don’t like to admit it, probably take up the vast majority of our time, respectively. But how does work and social media intersect? It’s something that features in the headlines, and also features in the minds of employers. Are there things you cannot do, and there times you cannot do it, or is there a line between the two? To talk to us about this today, we’re delighted to be joined by one of Ireland’s leading employment lawyers and experts i...
Nov 21, 2023•37 min•Ep. 145
Company policies are for life, not just for Christmas! Christmas parties – the highlight of the corporate calendar, the standout celebration for the social club, and a chance to let the hair down with your nearest and dearest colleagues. But if things go wrong, Christmas parties can ruin the spirit of the event, become a holiday headache for HR teams and leave a sour taste at the table. So what can go wrong, how can we prevent it, and how can we make sure to keep the Christmas spirit safely aliv...
Nov 14, 2023•39 min•Ep. 144
Three in four Irish HR departments are unknowingly breaching GDPR. There's a startling void between HR professionals’ confidence in their GDPR compliance and actual adherence to the regulation. And those of you who have crossed paths with the wrong side of GDPR may agree, GDPR is certainly not something to be ignored! So to talk to us about this today, the findings of HR locker's research and what we can do to remain compliant, we’re delighted to be joined by Crystel Rynne, COO at HRLocker. Abou...
Nov 07, 2023•38 min•Ep. 143
In this special Halloween-themed episode, we’ll be guiding you through the graveyard of bad HR practices, creepy cases, and hair-raising HR challenges that have sent shivers down the spines of HR professionals. Ghastly grievances, wicked workplaces, and spooky stories from our experiences in the world of work. And to join us around the fire we’re delighted to be joined by Megan Power, HR Consultant here at Insight HR. About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR wher...
Oct 31, 2023•35 min•Ep. 142
Flexible working, sick pay, protected disclosures, retention, talent attraction, compliance – there’s a lot to think about when it comes to HR policies. Whether you want to simply be compliant with legislation, or you want to have best-in-class policies, many employers have different strategies, ideas and also challenges when it comes to the rules and norms they want to have in their workplace. So what are the new rules, the new norms, and what are employers doing about them? To talk to us about...
Oct 24, 2023•38 min•Ep. 141
