HR Professionals
Workplace wellbeing: Should you consider a Chief Happiness Officer?
Exploring companies that have senior personnel who are responsible for the welfare of their employees with Sarah Cook and Steve Macaulay In today’s unstable business climate, the success of organisations hinges not only on factors such as strategic agility and innovative products but in particular on the essential underpinnings of satisfaction and strength of their workforce. The danger is the wellbeing and personal satisfaction of the average employee have gone down and with it, potentially energy and new ideas. This…
How artificial intelligence is influencing tech-sector layoffs and reskilling
Carly Holm examines AI’s impact on tech jobs and the need for companies to adapt with the right tools or partners In March, employees in the marketing and communications division at IBM were reportedly told in a staff meeting that their numbers were being culled. This news substantiated a recent pattern of layoffs in the technology sector, which have included cuts at Amazon, Apple and Meta. Combined, these reports have amounted to at least 74,000 workers being laid off by 255 tech companies in…
The hidden dangers of start-up culture: Avoiding burnout
Felizitas Lichtenberg looks at how to avoid burnout when working at a start-up As workers begin to return to the office, and businesses start their slow return to pre-pandemic norms, employee burnout has re-emerged as a significant issue in the UK. A nationwide survey from Indeed Flex found that the number of UK workers experiencing stress or burnout in the workplace doubled in 2023, highlighting the growing impact of the problem. Establishing boundaries can involve communicating clearly when you need…
The missing link in L&D: Why action-learning deserves a comeback
Isobelle Keith looks at the learning intervention that time forgot The learning and development profession faces many challenges. Learning transfer from traditional training hovers at a dismal 12% (Collins 2023), and despite the billions spent on leadership development, the results don’t always bear out (Haslam et al 2024). Add to that the pace of technological change and the rapid advancement of AI and it’s clear that workplace learning needs a revolution. “There can be no learning without action, and no…
Learning Metrics – book review
Cathy Hoy on a ‘must-read’ for L&D practitioners committed to making a measurable impact on their organisations Book: Learning Metrics: How to measure the impact of organizational learningAuthor: Ajay Pangarkar, Teresa Kirkwood In corporate learning and development, the ability to measure the impact of training interventions is more crucial than ever. Learning Metrics is a useful and practical resource, offering deep insights into the intricate (and often scary) world of learning metrics and their application for tangible business improvement. “The…
Are you busy being busy?
Philippa Spratt examines the modern phenomenon of ‘busyness’ and offers practical strategies for transforming it into meaningful productivity These days most people seem, or like, to think they’re busy. You hear it all the time but what’s the net result of all this busyness? Being busy doesn’t necessarily equate to being productive or adding value. It’s fine to be busy but it’s outcomes that matter. Be clear about the tasks you are responsible for that will move the dial As…
Neglecting frontline skillsets is no longer an option
Tom White delves into the bedrock of organisational success: the stable core of skills Many industries are experiencing workforce shortages, largely because of widening skills gaps and poor retention rates. The manufacturing industry in the US, for example, could face 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, potentially costing the industry $1trn in 2030 alone. Meanwhile, America’s healthcare industry is losing nurses by the millions, with an annual turnover rate of 19.1%, because of burnout. And when it comes to the…
Leading by example: Encouraging mental health conversations in the workplace
Anita Guru moves through the cost of mental health challenges and focuses on how workplaces can be more open For Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 this year’s theme is “movement”. The Mental Health UK Burnout Report 2024 found that 56% of adults reported that regular exercise helped them to manage stress. Regular exercise not only helps with symptoms of stress, but also things like improving your sleep, mood and confidence. Exercise doesn’t mean intensive workouts, it could be a walk,…
Reimagining engagement: Leadership for uncertain times
Kevin Johnson explores strategies for HR and L&D leaders to navigate volatility and foster engagement When uncertainty is fast becoming the only constant, HR executives and learning and development leaders face a complex challenge. How do they re-engage and reinvigorate their workforce when the foundation of ‘normal’ has shifted? The answer lies in demonstrating leadership, creating purpose, building trust, and fostering personal and business growth. Leadership is not about relentless action; it’s about thoughtful influence From a worldwide health…
Leading beyond the pyramid: Crafting a culture of agile, empowered decision-making
Henrik Ekelund champions a shift towards decentralised decision-making in today’s fast-paced business environment Organisations today are struggling with decision-making more than ever before. In an era where technological innovations and global macrotrends are redefining the way we do business, the traditional hierarchical models of corporate governance are proving to be not just inadequate but a barrier to success. The old ways of command-and-control leadership slow down progress and stifle innovation. They create and reinforce silos and prevent those further down…
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