CIPD

Why are so many employers still hiding salary details when candidates increasingly expect pay transparency? While technical capability might win a promotion, are organisations doing enough to prepare managers for the pressure that comes with leadership? And when performance improvement plans (PIPs) are so often seen as a step towards the exit, can they still be a credible tool for improvement?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Sally Hopper, Director of People at London Fire Brigade, and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting.Recorded: 20 March 2026---Explore more from this episode:CIPD – Tracking law changes: Employment Rights Act 2025Your next listen:HR People Pod – Ep37: Leading under pressure – with Professor Kevin FongCIPD Podcast – Episode 194: Is pay transparency good for business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lizzie Crowley, a skills policy adviser focused on youth labour markets; Craig Pattison, an executive coach and leadership specialist; and Orianne Whiteman, Emerging Talent Director at Arm, discuss disappearing entry-level roles. They explore how AI and cost pressures hollow out first rungs. They debate redesigning roles, apprenticeships, rotations and HR’s role to preserve learning pathways and future capability.

In a world of uncertainty and constant disruption, what does an effective and human response to crisis really look like? Are employee benefits creating real impact – or are too many organisations offering perks without a clear sense of what they’re for? And as technology promises ever-greater efficiency, are employees starting to resist the pressure to optimise everything in pursuit of something more meaningful?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Sasi Venables, HR Business Partner at the University of Worcester and founder of The HR Confidence Club and Rob Worrall, Chief People Officer.Recorded: 06 March 2026---Explore more from this episode:HR People Pod – Ep 12: Crisis events | Supply chains | Politics at work | ‘Ghost jobs’Report: Reward Survey: Focus on benefits 2026  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allyn Bailey, Senior Director of Corporate Narrative and Communications at SmartRecruiters, focuses on hiring tech, AI and workplace identity. She recounts Davos realities and conversations with tech and policy leaders. Topics include whether AI will augment or re-engineer work, startup agility versus legacy firms, shifting professional identity, and risks from declining entry-level roles.

Steve George, Head of Learning with experience designing L&D for major brands. Aglaia Economou, HR Learning & Change Manager who builds just-in-time, engaging learning. Fergal Connolly, learning transfer specialist focused on turning training into workplace performance. They discuss why training often fails, the vital role of managers and culture, diagnosing root causes, and practical low-cost ways to help people apply new skills.

As volatility becomes the default rather than the exception, what does it really mean for organisations to be ready for change? When it comes to ‘peanut butter’ pay rises, does spreading reward evenly strengthen trust and fairness, or quietly undermine the idea that performance and capability matter? And just how decisive can small moments be — how have acts of trust, stretch or recognition shaped the careers of our guests?   CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer, Europe at Smollan; and Alison Hodgson, Market Director – CIPD Ireland. Recorded: 6 February 2026  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As new trends and demands accelerate, how can HR leaders ensure the profession’s foundations are robust enough to support effective and timely action? If AI is becoming part of everyday work, should organisations deliberately test how candidates think, reason and collaborate with AI as part of the recruitment process? And is the rise in temporary work a strategic shift in workforce strategy – or a symptom of wider uncertainty?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Mel Steel, Interim People, Change & Transformation Leader; and Martyn Dicker, Director of People at Unicef UK.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Lardner, reward and career-framework specialist at Innecto, and Laura Ibbotson, practical HR leader at The Green Spark Group, explore internal mobility. They define its value, reveal ludicrous barriers and cultural blockers, and share low-cost fixes like assessment centres, skills mapping and creative comms. They also cover reducing talent hoarding, embedding career conversations and making mobility inclusive.

2026 is set to be another challenging year for organisations and the people profession. As economic uncertainty continues and AI adoption accelerates, where should the profession focus its efforts? How can job design and management capability drive productivity without increasing burnout? And what skills do people professionals need to navigate the year ahead.CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by a trio of leading HR podcasters, Fay Wallis, career and leadership coach and host of HR Coffee Time; Lucinda Carney, Chief Executive Officer at Actus Software, and host of HR Uprising podcast; and Bruce Daisley, host of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat podcast.Recorded: 09 January 2026---Bookings are now open for the CIPD Student Conference 2026. Student members can secure your place for free at cipd.org/studentconf2026Take ownership of your learning and enhance your professional practice. Explore our suite of tools to support your CPD journey at cipd.org/en/learning/cpd/---Explore more podcasts from this week’s panel:HR Coffee Time with Fay Wallishttps://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/HR Uprising with Lucinda Carneyhttps://hruprising.com/Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat with Bruce Daisleyhttps://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Liddle, founder of The TCM Group and author on conflict resolution and culture, offers a fresh take on workplace justice. He challenges punitive grievance systems and advocates people-centred, performance-focused approaches. He outlines practical tools like the Resolution Index and shares examples of informal resolution, culture change, and reducing HR burnout.