HRchat Podcast AI, Employment Law, and the Entry-Level Squeeze with Craig McCoy
AI is no longer a future concept—it’s embedded in day-to-day HR operations. But with adoption comes pressure: to prove ROI, manage new risks, and rethink workforce strategies.
In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham speaks with Craig McCoy, Chair of the HR Connection Group and a trusted advisor to boards and C-suite leaders across the UK. With leadership experience at Sky, BT, BUPA, and The Crown Estate, Craig brings a front-row view into what senior HR leaders are really discussing behind closed doors.
Together, they unpack the realities of AI in HR, from automation wins to unexpected workload increases, and explore how shifting employment laws and economic pressures are reshaping workforce planning.
They also tackle one of the biggest emerging challenges: what happens to entry-level roles when AI begins to replace the work that traditionally starts careers?
Key Topics Covered:
- AI in HR: From hype to real-world deployment
- Proving ROI on AI investments
- Automation vs. new workload: the hidden trade-off
- Employees using AI for grievances and complaints
- UK Employment Rights Act: risks and implications
- Rising employment costs and cautious hiring strategies
- Strategic workforce planning and skills prioritisation
- Recruitment challenges in a volatile labour market
- The growing threat to entry-level roles
- Apprenticeships, work experience, and future talent pipelines
Why This Episode Matters:
HR leaders are navigating a perfect storm of AI disruption, regulatory change, and economic pressure. This conversation offers grounded insights into what’s working, what’s not, and what needs urgent attention.
About Craig McCoy:
Craig is Chair of the HR Connection Group and London HR Connection, a thriving community of senior HR professionals across the UK. A former Chief People Officer and experienced NED, Craig has held leadership roles at organisations including Sky, BT, BUPA, and The Crown Estate.
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