Podcasts
Episode 1: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
Welcome to the first of a series of podcasts from Oyster about the world of work and employment. Today Michael Pickup is in conversation with Euan Graham, Principal Consultant at EG Advisory. They discuss the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and all things “furlough”. Amongst other things, they discuss the purpose of the Scheme, how it works and, not least, things for employers to think about if they decide to furlough employees.
Episode 2: In Conversation with Nick Bloy, Wellbeing Republic
Welcome to the second of Oyster’s podcasts about the world of work and employment. Today we’re in conversation with Nick Bloy, Director at Wellbeing Republic, discussing employee wellbeing. We take a look at what employers are doing right now to support their employees together with what steps employees can take for themselves to safeguard their own wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown.
Episode 3: In Conversation with Dr Hazel Harrison, ThinkAvellana
In the third of our series of podcasts about the world of work and employment we’re in conversation with Dr Hazel Harrison, a clinical psychologist and Director of ThinkAvellana. Dr Harrison works with a range of clients including law firms, schools and the BBC and today we discuss children’s wellbeing, including advice for a daily routine in lockdown, some of the challenges to wellbeing and screen time.
Episode 4: In Conversation with Angus MacGregor, MUFG
In this latest podcast from Oyster about the world of work and employment, we talk to Angus Macgregor, Deputy Head of Global HR at MUFG in Tokyo about the Japanese Government’s approach to Covid-19, HR’s response, the steps the Bank has taken to facilitate a return to office working, lessons learnt and the future of work.
Episode 5: In Conversation with Sharon Green, Chiara Consultancy
Trust – so deeply ingrained in our daily personal and professional lives that it is easily taken for granted – seems uppermost right now as the UK Government, led by the science, this week sets out its plans to end the lockdown. So, for this latest podcast about the world of work and employment we’re in conversation with Sharon Green, Founder of Chiara Consultancy, a specialist in Change, Tech, Comms and Engagement and we take a closer look at what we mean by trust in organisations, why it is so important, the impact of Covid-19 on trust and, crucially, the kind of steps employers should take to ensure trust in the workplace and amongst other stakeholders both now and in the future.
Episode 6: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
As the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announces plans to extend the furlough scheme, what better time to catch-up with Euan Graham, Principal Consultant at EG Advisory, for his take on this and the Government’s latest announcement on a phased return to the workplace in England. Euan underlines the importance, more than ever, of effective employee communications, practical plans for a return to the workplace, though may be not for everyone, right now at least, and he shares his insights in to what some of his clients and employers are thinking more generally.
Episode 7: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
As employers continue the phased return to the workplace, with flexible furloughing being introduced from 1 July, we take the opportunity to catch-up with Euan Graham, Principal Consultant at EG Advisory to better understand how the scheme will work in practice, possible extensions to the CJRS beyond 31 October and alternative employment arrangements employers are implementing to safeguard jobs and aid recovery.
Episode 8: In Conversation with Nick Bloy, Wellbeing Republic
Cows, mending fences and sharpening swords. It’s all in our latest podcast with Nick Bloy, Director of Wellbeing Republic, in which we talk employee wellbeing, self-care for leaders and avoiding the (growing) risk of burn-out as employers begin the lengthy process of re-opening the workplace.
Episode 9: In Conversation with John Scott, Abune Mediation
In previous podcasts, we’ve discussed the importance of trust in organisations but what happens when this trust (between colleagues, employer and employee, co-founders, Board members and leadership teams) breaks down? It runs the risk of a legal dispute arising (often time-consuming, disruptive and costly). One alternative form of dispute resolution is Mediation, a subject John Scott at Abune Mediation sheds great light on in our latest podcast on the world of work and employment.
Episode 10: In Conversation with Reg Amoah, Norton Rose Fulbright
In our latest podcast about the world of work and employment, we’re in conversation with Reg Amoah, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at Norton Rose Fulbright. Drawing on his own personal experience, we discuss Reg’s career, the significance of history and the importance of education, proximity and affinity and the continuing need to challenge people’s pre-conceptions, including our own.
Episode 11: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
In a change from all things furlough, we catch-up with Euan Graham, Principal Consultant at EG Advisory, for his thoughts on best practice when employers instigate redundancy programmes. We discuss the importance of, inter alia, stakeholder engagement and communication, the risk to employer brand, the importance of getting it “right” from the outset and, not least, the essential need for respect throughout.
Episode 12: In Conversation with John Scott, Abune Mediation
At a time when HR practitioners seem busier than ever addressing the impact of Covid-19 on their organisation, we’re in conversation with John Scott from Abune Mediation, about the wider challenges for HR as a profession, the need for change in the training and development of HR professionals and, armed with the “right” set of skills, the opportunities ahead for HR practitioners to truly influence and impact the organisations of the future.
Episode 13: In Conversation with Alex Rickard, The ARC Partnership
Organisational Culture. What is it? What does it mean for organisational performance and effectiveness? And how has organisational culture influenced the way in which employers have reacted and responded to the impact of Covid-19 and reset the way they operate in the “new normal”? You can find out more by listening to our latest podcast on the world of work and employment with former HRD and now specialist in Organisational Culture, Alex Rickard from The ARC Partnership.
Episode 14: In Conversation with Jonathan Clarke, Kilburn & Strode LLP
What does the future world of work look like and what have we learnt in the past six-months to help guide us? In this thoroughly enjoyable conversation with Jonathan Clarke, Director of Human Resources at Kilburn & Strode LLP, we take a look at what agile working could look like, what purpose working from the office could serve, the implications for people management, work allocation, wellbeing, learning and much more.
Episode 15: In Conversation with John Scott, Abune Mediation
20 years on from hiking over 2000 miles along The Appalachian Trail, we’re joined by John Scott from Abune Mediation for his recollections and his insights in to the leadership lessons he drew (including, responding to a hostile environment, learning to fail fast, managing your wellbeing, and developing resilience), and how these can be applied today by employers charting a path through Covid-19.
Episode 16: In Conversation with Shelley Holmes, Watson Farley & Williams LLP
In our latest podcast, we’re in conversation with Shelley Holmes, Global Head of HR at Watson Farley & Williams LLP. Drawing on her experience of both the 2008 financial crisis and the current pandemic and with one eye on what next, Shelley underlines the importance of authentic leadership, underpinned by a set of core operating principles, the ability of HR directors to lead and deliver cultural and organisational change, the central importance of “task” to effective agile working, the implications of the latest government measures on WFH, employee wellbeing and the longer term viability of jobs from an OD perspective, as the legal sector continues to evolve at pace.
Episode 17: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
As the UK Government announces the latest in a series of measures to tackle the growing incidence of the Coronavirus in England, we catch-up with Euan Graham, Principal Consultant at EG Advisory, for an update on the forthcoming Job Support Scheme, the latest proposals for more targeted support for certain “locked down” sectors and the implications for employment prospects. We also take a look at other Employee Relations trends Euan is seeing amongst his clients.
Episode 18: In Conversation with Dr Elaine Yerby, LSE
One of the unspoken aspects of the current pandemic is the impact on HR professionals, not least in terms of their own wellbeing. In our latest podcast, we hear from Dr Elaine Yerby from the LSE about her ongoing research in to this area and the implications not only for wellbeing but job satisfaction, engagement and career development, together with some of the broader policy choices facing HR directors and employers more generally.
Episode 19: In Conversation with John Scott, Abune Mediation
Seen through the lens of the pandemic and Brexit, the Future of Work debate seems all the more pressing. So in this episode, the first of 2021, we’re in conversation with John Scott from Abune Mediation taking a “big picture” look at the impact of technology, changing demographics, the limits to globalisation and the implications for the labour market – investing in new skills, diversity, greater protection for “gig” workers – and more. We also consider what this might mean for HR Directors and their teams in the coming year and beyond.
Episode 20: In Conversation with Euan Graham, EG Advisory
In our latest podcast on The Future of Work, we consider the current and future Employee Relations issues facing employers with Euan Graham from EG Advisory, including mandatory vaccination for employees, IR35, the Supreme Court’s ruling on Uber and current thinking on agile working practices and an employer’s contractual obligations. We also discover that employers are increasingly investing in ER training for their HR teams and line managers.
Episode 21: In Conversation with Peter Meyler, HR and People Analytics Professional
In our latest podcast on The Future of Work, we’re in conversation with Peter Meyler, latterly Head of People Analytics & Consulting at Barnett Waddingham, for his take on what we mean by People Analytics, the application of data insights to HR policies and practices – Inclusivity, Employee Engagement, Candidate Experience and so on – together with some of the practical steps and potential challenges HR Directors might wish to consider when developing a People Analytics capability within their HR team.
Episode 22: In Conversation with Sharon Green, Chiara Consultancy
In our latest podcast on The Future of Work, we take a closer look at the world of professional HR interims, in conversation Sharon Green, Founder of Chiara Consultancy, a specialist in Change, Tech, Comms and Engagement. Drawing on her own experience of working as a professional HR interim over the past 16 years, we explore Sharon’s decision to go interim, the pro’s and cons, not to mention the myriad challenges (Covid, Brexit, IR35 and so on). Sharon also shares her thoughts on the future and, in particular, the way in which employers can continue to benefit from interim expertise as part of their overall resourcing strategy and, equally, how professional HR interims need to adapt if they are to capitalise on opportunities in an ever-changing labour market.
Episode 23: In Conversation with Dr Hazel Harrison, ThinkAvellana
The coronavirus pandemic means that Employee Wellbeing is now central to the Future of Work debate and, as this is Mental Health Awareness Week, what better time to be in conversation with Dr Hazel Harrison from ThinkAvellana, to explore the benefits of nature on our wellbeing – the theme of this year’s MHAW. So whether you have discovered the benefits of cold water swimming, Shinrin-Yoko or a new found appreciation for gardening, please do take a listen.
Episode 24: In Conversation with Glenn Jones, Interim People Consultant
“Employee Experience” What it is? Why are employers increasingly focused on it? And what are the commercial benefits? Drawing on his vast HR knowledge and experience, in this month’s Future of Work podcast, I’m delighted to be in conversation with Glenn Jones, people consultant and currently, interim EMEA HR Director at White & Case. We discuss the growing significance of Employee Experience in a post-pandemic world, the fundamentals which go in to developing an holistic approach to Employee Experience, the importance of HR analytics and data insights and, finally, words of encouragement to HR Directors and their teams to really capitalise on the excellent work undertaken in the past 16 months, in delivering on the future People Agenda.
Episode 25: In Conversation with Charles Glass, Global Coaching Connections
As a recruitment consultant, I take a keen interest in candidates’ careers but what do we mean by the term “career” and how has the concept of a career changed over time and between generations? What might future careers look like and what are the key ingredients when making your career choices? This and more in our latest podcast in conversation with Charles Glass, Director at Global Coaching Connections.