HR Insights: Are we entering a new era of workplace inclusion?

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined once again by Sasha Scott, Founder and CEO of Inclusive Group, to explore how the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion is changing and what that means for organisations today.Drawing on 25 years working in the inclusion space, Sasha reflects on the significant recalibration taking place across organisations. As traditional DEI language becomes increasingly challenged, the conversation is shifting towards inclusion, culture, conduct, fairness and how people actually experience the workplace. Stuart and Sasha discuss why this is becoming less of a standalone people issue and increasingly one that intersects with leadership, compliance, risk and wider business performance.The conversation also explores what genuinely changes behaviour within organisations, the importance of leaders modelling expected standards and the challenges of creating inclusive cultures across different generations, locations and ways of working. From AI and workplace governance to intergenerational inclusion, difficult conversations and the return to the office, the episode considers what organisations should be thinking about as they prepare for 2027.Key timestamps00:00 Introduction and guest background02:43 The history of Inclusive Group and its pioneering role04:51 Impact of compliance-led training in financial and legal sectors06:47 Regulatory changes and their influence on diversity initiatives10:32 Shift from DEI language to a focus on inclusion and culture12:40 Current hot topics: fairness, treatment, and organisational culture14:36 AI risks, governance, and ethical considerations16:45 Engagement, remote work, and the importance of in-person interactions20:37 Regulatory expectations and the future of organisational behaviour24:47 Medical analogy for cultural audits and deep listening28:44 Effective communication, respect, and leadership style30:41 Intergenerational inclusion and overcoming stereotypes34:39 Technology, AI, and the future of work and inclusion36:47 Preparing for regulatory changes in 2027 and beyond43:40 Final thoughts and contact informationView Transcript hereYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Claire Gray, founder of NeuroTalent at Work Limited, to explore why growing awareness of neurodiversity has not always translated into better workplace experiences for neurodivergent employees.The conversation looks at where barriers can still emerge across the employee journey, from recruitment and workplace adjustments to performance management. Claire discusses the difference between awareness and operational neuroinclusion, why traditional interview processes can unintentionally disadvantage neurodivergent candidates and how organisations can create fairer processes without lowering expectations.With line managers often responsible for turning policy into practice, Stuart and Claire also explore the support managers need to respond confidently when an employee discloses, requests an adjustment or begins to struggle. From psychological safety and early intervention to practical changes in ways of working, the episode considers what organisations can do to move from good intentions towards meaningful inclusion.Key timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Claire Gray and her journey into neurodiversity00:22 – Understanding neurodiversity in the workplace01:24 – Challenges in neuroinclusion and practical solutions03:09 – The difference between awareness and true inclusion06:23 – The manager gap in neurodiversity support08:21 – Operational neuroinclusion explained09:48 – The importance of early support and psychological safety11:04 – Demonstrating ROI in neurodiversity initiatives14:23 – Common mistakes when interviewing neurodivergent candidates16:46 – Making recruitment more inclusive without lowering standards23:44 – Workplace adjustments and overcoming barriers36:09 – Performance management and fair evaluation for neurodivergent employees40:56 – Supporting managers in neuroinclusion practices44:16 – Final advice for managers and closing thoughtsView Transcript hereYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In part two of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined once again by Paul Burton, employment solicitor at ViewHR, to explore the further changes expected under the Employment Rights Act and what they could mean for employers, HR teams and people managers.The conversation looks at some of the most significant reforms still to come, including the reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period, the removal of compensation caps, proposed restrictions around fire and rehire, stronger sexual harassment protections and new rights for zero and low-hours workers.From probation periods and manager capability to workplace culture, documentation and organisational risk, this episode offers practical guidance for HR leaders preparing for a period of significant employment law change.Key timestamps:00:22 Introduction to Employment Law Changes00:51 Looking Ahead: Future Employment Law Developments01:20 Upcoming changes in HR and employment law02:30 October 2024: Key legal updates for employers03:55 Changes to unfair dismissal claims and tribunal limits04:54 Future legislative plans and potential delays06:37 Impact of reduced qualifying period on employment risk08:28 Probation periods and their strategic importance11:10 Removal of compensation caps and settlement implications13:55 Fire and rehire practices and legal reforms20:55 Significance of 'all reasonable steps' in harassment laws23:35 Changes to zero and low hours worker rights27:01 Enhanced protections around pregnancy, family leave, and gender pay28:21 HR management strategies for upcoming legal changes30:37 Potential for companies to be 'guinea pigs' in legal reforms31:35 Closing remarks and contact information for Paul BurtonView Transcript hereYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Paul Burton, employment solicitor at ViewHR, to explore the employment law changes that have already come into effect under the Employment Rights Act 2025.The conversation breaks down some of the most significant developments affecting UK employers, including changes to statutory sick pay, day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave, new whistleblowing protections relating to sexual harassment and increased penalties for failures in collective consultation.Paul also explains the introduction of the Fair Work Agency and what its expanded enforcement powers could mean for organisations. From updating policies and procedures to strengthening manager training and absence management, the episode highlights why employers should treat these reforms as an organisational and people-management issue rather than simply a legal update.This is the first of a two-part conversation. In part two, Stuart and Paul will look ahead at the further employment law changes expected to come into effect and what organisations can do now to prepare.Key timestamps:04:47 - Summary of the Employment Rights Act 202505:43 - Trade union reforms and industrial action changes07:07 - Updates to sick pay and family rights08:08 - Collective consultation and penalties for non-compliance09:41 - Sector impact of new employment laws10:14 - Details on the removal of the sick pay waiting period11:18 - Importance of absence management and return-to-work interviews13:25 - Paternity leave and parental rights from day one18:04 - Sexual harassment protections under whistleblowing laws27:21 - Introduction to the Fair Work Agency and its functions30:20 - Implications of the Fair Work Agency for enforcement31:09 - Advice for HR professionals and managers on legislative changes32:37 - Training, support, and ongoing compliance strategies33:36 - Conclusion and next steps for employersView Transcript hereYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Keith Pritchard, Chief People Officer and transformation leader, to explore what global organisations need to understand about working, leading and building teams in India.Drawing on more than three years living and working in Hyderabad, alongside over two decades of international leadership experience, Keith shares his perspective on how India has evolved from a traditional outsourcing destination into one of the world's most important hubs for innovation, technology and business growth. Together, Stuart and Keith discuss the realities of India's talent market, the rapid rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and why organisations need to move beyond outdated perceptions of the country.From cultural differences in communication and decision-making to leadership, talent attraction, employee retention and the pace of change across India's economy, this episode offers practical insights for HR and business leaders looking to build stronger relationships and more successful organisations in one of the world's fastest-growing markets.Key timestamps:03:09 – Moving to India and leading within an Indian-headquartered organisation07:26 – First impressions of India and the realities of living and working there11:41 – Why Hyderabad has become a major technology and Global Capability Centre hub14:00 – India's evolution from cost arbitrage to capability, innovation and strategic value18:56 – Common misconceptions about India's talent market and leadership pipeline21:46 – Cultural differences in communication, hierarchy and decision-making26:36 – Diversity, gender representation and changing workplace dynamics29:18 – Navigating cultural differences in hiring and recruitment33:28 – Building psychological safety and encouraging open communication38:16 – The continued growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs)43:41 – Attrition, employee retention and the rise of boomerang hiring49:58 – Leadership lessons Keith brought back from India to the UK51:39 – Comparing workplace culture and work ethic between India and the UKClick here for transcript.You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

As people live longer, work longer and redefine what later life looks like, businesses are facing a challenge that many have yet to fully recognise. While organisations continue to invest heavily in attracting early-career talent, many are overlooking one of the fastest-growing and most experienced talent pools available: workers over 50.In this episode of HR Insights: The Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Lyndsey Simpson, Founder and CEO of 55/Redefined and author of the Sunday Times bestselling book The Age Rebellion. One of the leading voices on age intelligence, Lyndsey works with organisations around the world to rethink how they attract, retain and develop over-50s talent, helping businesses turn demographic change into a competitive advantage.Together, Stuart and Lyndsey explore why the traditional view of retirement is rapidly becoming outdated, what the "100-year life" means for employers and employees alike, and why many of the assumptions organisations still hold about older workers simply don't stand up to the data. From the myths surrounding ambition and technology to the commercial case for age strategy, the conversation challenges businesses to rethink how they view experience, careers and workforce planning.The discussion also looks at the rise of multi-generational workforces, the importance of intentionally creating intergenerational teams, and why age should be viewed as a strategic business issue rather than simply another diversity initiative. Whether you're an HR leader, business leader or someone thinking about your own career, this episode offers practical insights into one of the biggest workforce shifts of our time.Key timestamps00:30 – What the "100-year life" means and why it changes everything05:50 – Debunking the biggest myths surrounding older workers12:05 – Why our perception of age and work needs to evolve17:59 – How ambition, purpose and motivation change later in life24:01 – Why "overqualified" is one of the most damaging labels in recruitment26:04 – Why organisations focus on younger generations and what they're missing27:28 – The commercial value older workers bring to today's businesses29:47 – Why age has become the overlooked element of DE&I strategies30:54 – How demographic change is reshaping the workforce33:37 – The realities of managing a multi-generational workforce37:32 – Building intergenerational teams that drive better performance40:19 – Why storytelling helps bridge generational divides at work43:40 – Where businesses should start when developing an age strategyView Transcript hereYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Alex Atherton, leadership coach, speaker and author of The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the Workplace and Beyond, to explore the realities of managing an increasingly multigenerational workforce.The conversation challenges some of the most common misconceptions surrounding Gen Z, from assumptions around resilience and work ethic to changing expectations around feedback, career development and workplace culture. Alex shares why understanding the experiences that have shaped younger generations is essential for organisations looking to attract, engage and retain the best talent.From age diversity and authentic employer branding to social collaboration, leadership and the arrival of Gen Alpha, this episode offers practical insight for HR and business leaders navigating a workforce where four, and soon five, generations are working side by side.Key timestamps:00:22 – Introduction to career and background03:10 – Generational perspectives on work05:57 – Misconceptions about younger generations10:11 – The changing landscape of business12:48 – Managing multi-generational workforces16:11 – Attracting and retaining Gen Z talent18:55 – Feedback and performance management21:11 – Social collaboration in the workplace24:32 – Future generations and trends in HRYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Marc Ramos, Chief Learning Officer, Harvard Learning Innovation Lab Fellow and MIT-trained AI strategist, to explore how organisations can approach AI adoption without losing sight of the people behind the technology.The conversation looks at the growing tension between AI-driven efficiency and employee trust, why some businesses may be moving too quickly into implementation, and how leadership communication can shape whether employees feel included or threatened by change.From trust and transparency to cognitive overload, workplace culture and the future of human connection, this episode offers practical insight for HR, talent and learning leaders navigating AI transformation inside their organisations.Key timestamps:01:06 - Introduction to AI and Learning Development03:58 - The Current State of AI in Business07:02 - Leadership and AI Implementation09:49 - The Spectrum of AI Adoption13:08 - Risk and Reward in AI Investments15:55 - Communication Strategies for AI Adoption18:56 - Change Management and AI22:00 - The Role of Trust in AI Acceptance25:34 - Trust and Society's Insular State29:19 - The Leadership Gap in Trust33:10 - Human Agency and Cognitive Traps37:27 - AI's Impact on Human Connection42:41 - A Human-Centric AI StrategyYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott is joined by Will Spencer, Founder & CEO of Rest Easier, and Chris Laughlin, Global Reward Director at Croda, to explore how reward and benefits strategies are evolving beyond traditional perks and toward something far more meaningful: protection, financial wellbeing, and long-term employee support.The conversation looks at why financial wellbeing has historically lagged behind physical and mental wellbeing, how employee expectations around benefits are changing, and why a one-size-fits-all approach no longer works across today’s multigenerational workforce.From personalised benefits to the hidden risks of cost-cutting, this episode offers practical insight for HR leaders rethinking how reward strategies can better support employees in today’s workplace.Key timestamps:07:18 — How employee benefits have evolved12:48 — Why financial wellbeing is often overlooked16:47 — Understanding what employees actually value21:40 — The rise of personalised benefits32:49 — Inside the Rest Easier platform34:01 — Estate planning, inheritance & protecting families39:05 — Financial stress and workplace performance42:37 — The hidden risks of cutting benefitsYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen! 

Employee engagement continues to be one of the most talked-about topics in HR, but also one of the most misunderstood. While many organisations measure it, far fewer truly understand what drives it or how to improve it in a meaningful way. In this episode of the HR Insights Podcast, Stuart Elliott sits down with industry experts Paul Knight, Group Chief People Officer at PA Media, and Rebecca Saunders Jones, Managing Director of Loopin, to explore what employee engagement really looks like today, why it may be stalling in many organisations, and what HR and business leaders can do differently. From leadership accountability to real-time data and shifting workforce expectations, the conversation offers a practical and honest view of where engagement stands today, and where it needs to go next. Key timestamps03:52 – What does employee engagement actually mean? 05:20 – Where is engagement today? 08:05 – What’s ‘job hugging’? 10:29 – Why traditional engagement surveys fall short 16:36 – Who really owns engagement?24:42 – Transparency vs psychological safety28:28 – The biggest risk to engagement35:12 – Can you over-measure engagement?41:43 – Embedding engagement into cultureYou can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen!