The HR Room Podcast

Training and development can be a powerful tool for improving performance, but not every performance problem is a skills or knowledge problem. Sometimes what an employee really needs isn't another course or LMS module – it's clearer expectations, better feedback, coaching or simply an honest conversation.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary Cullen are joined by Ann Halloran, Talent & Learning Development Professional and author of Helping Others Learn in the Workplace, to explore how managers and HR professionals can distinguish between genuine learning needs and wider performance issues.

Together, they discuss why managers can be too quick to reach for training as a solution, the importance of properly diagnosing the cause of underperformance, and why avoiding difficult conversations can allow relatively straightforward issues to become much bigger problems. They also explore what makes workplace learning genuinely effective, how managers can help new skills stick after training, and what organisations can do to create a stronger culture of continuous learning.

Guests

Ann Halloran — Talent & Learning Development Professional | Author, Helping Others Learn in the Workplace

Topics include:

• How to tell whether poor performance is really a training issue
• Why managers sometimes use training to avoid difficult conversations
• Taking a diagnostic approach to performance problems
• Ann's RIPPLE framework for designing effective workplace learning
• When performance issues may require a structured performance improvement process
• The role of mentoring, peer learning, coaching and reflective practice
• How organisations can create a genuine learning culture
• Why developing managers is central to improving employee performance and engagement

Key Takeaways for HR

Diagnose before you prescribe. Before recommending training, establish what's actually preventing someone from performing. Training won't solve unclear expectations, poor motivation, workplace conflict or a manager's reluctance to address an issue directly.

Training doesn't end when the course finishes. Managers play a critical role in helping employees transfer learning back into their day-to-day work through reinforcement, accountability, encouragement and ongoing feedback.

Don't ask employees to self-diagnose. Giving people access to a large library of LMS modules isn't the same as identifying their development needs. Managers need to be actively involved in understanding where performance or capability gaps exist.

Sometimes the answer is a conversation. If someone has the ability to perform but isn't doing so, another training course may achieve very little. Clear, specific and timely feedback can be far more effective.

Invest in your managers. Direct line managers have an enormous influence on how employees learn, develop and perform. Organisations that want a genuine learning culture need to equip managers with the communication, feedback, conflict management and performance management skills to support their teams effectively.

About Ann's Book

Ann's book, Helping Others Learn in the Workplace, is a practical guide designed for managers and trainers who are responsible for helping others learn but may never have been taught how to train effectively themselves. It is available to purchase here.

You can get the free checklist we mentioned in the podcast here.

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

The relationship between employers and employees is changing. The era of the "job for life" has long since disappeared, but so too is the more recent model where organisations sought to become a source of identity, community, purpose and even care for their employees. With AI accelerating change, economic uncertainty increasing and the balance of power shifting once again, the psychological contract between organisations and their people is being rewritten.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary Cullen are joined by Deirdre Donovan, HR Strategist & Speaker, to explore what this means for the future role of HR. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, including roles with Diageo and Meta, Deirdre argues that HR now has an opportunity to move organisations away from paternalism and towards a more mature partnership with employees.

From the rise and retreat of lavish employee benefits to return-to-office mandates, AI, job security and changing expectations around workplace culture, the conversation examines why HR may be more important than ever. Rather than simply managing processes, HR has a critical role to play in helping employees make sense of change, building organisational capability and creating honest, adult-to-adult relationships between employers and their people.

Guest:

• Deirdre Donovan — HR Strategist & Speaker

Topics include:

• Why the traditional psychological contract between employers and employees is changing
• How we've moved from the era of the "job for life" to a much more uncertain employment relationship
• Whether organisations went too far in becoming a source of identity, community and care for employees
• How the war for talent transformed employee expectations and workplace culture
• Why return-to-office mandates have tested trust between employers and employees
• How AI is changing jobs, skills and the role of HR
• Why HR needs to help employees make sense of rapid organisational change
• The move from workplace paternalism towards a more mature partnership with employees
• Why honest, transparent communication becomes even more important during uncertainty
• How HR can build the skills and capabilities organisations will need for an AI-enabled future

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• The psychological contract has changed. Organisations need to be realistic and transparent about what employees can expect from the employment relationship.
• HR should aim for an adult-to-adult partnership with employees, built around clear expectations, frequent feedback, dignity and honest communication.
• AI will change many jobs, but that makes human skills such as communication, judgement, empathy and leadership even more important.
• HR has a vital role in sense-making — helping employees understand change, translating organisational priorities and ensuring communication flows effectively throughout the business.
• Organisations shouldn't simply use AI as an opportunity to reduce headcount. Its greater potential lies in augmenting work, removing administrative burden and enabling people to focus on higher-value activities.
• Treating employees with dignity, respect and transparency during good times makes organisations better equipped to navigate difficult periods of change.
• Rather than making HR less relevant, the AI revolution could make HR one of the most pivotal functions in helping organisations successfully navigate the future of work.

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

 

This week, we are republishing one of our most popular episodes from The HR Room Podcast. This episode was first published on Jun 27, 2023. 

Across the month of July, we’ll be talking all things performance management, looking at best practices, employer stories, new approaches and common challenges. So to round off June, and set us up for next month, we’re going to discuss one of the most obvious performance challenges for HR teams and employers everywhere, managing underperformance. How do we manage an employee who is performing poorly, how can we help, what are our obligations, and what are our options?

And to talk to us about this on episode 124 of The HR Room Podcast, we’re delighted to be joined by Liam Barton, Senior HR Consultant here at Insight HR.

 

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice on how to create the HR systems and workplace culture that's right for your business.

For show notes, go to www.InsightHR.ie/Podcast. 

If you need any HR support in Ireland, get in touch with us at Insight HR.

Whether it's conducting a complex workplace investigation, filling a gap by providing you with a virtual or an onsite HR resource, or providing advice via our HR support line, as an expert HR consultancy in Ireland, we'll help you resolve whatever Human Resources challenge your business is facing.

Visit us at www.InsightHR.ie.

For the next two weeks, we will be republishing some of our most popular episodes from The HR Room Podcast. This episode was first published on Oct 8, 2024.

 

Today, we're diving into one of the more challenging and often nerve-wracking aspects of HR—managing a workplace disciplinary hearing. It’s a process that, when not handled properly, can lead to unnecessary stress, strained relationships, and even legal challenges.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

So, in this episode, to guide us through these complex procedures, outline best practices, common pitfalls, and how to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the process, we’re joined by our very own Joe Thompson, HR Consultant here at Insight HR. 

 

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Disciplinary Hearing Process
06:30 Common Pitfalls in Disciplinary Hearings
13:14 The Importance of Structured Policies
19:53 Employee Rights and Obligations
25:53 Maintaining Impartiality in Disciplinary Processes
32:51 Key Takeaways for Conducting Fair Hearings

For the next few weeks, we will be republishing some of our most popular episodes from The HR Room Podcast. This episode was first published on Aug 22, 2023. 

The demand for investigations in the workplace is constantly growing. Misconduct is taking place in workplaces, leaving HR teams and organisations with the task of tackling a workplace investigation. But given the time, complexity and seriousness of the issues, this is a big challenge for all involved. So how do you do it, what should you look out for, and where should you go for help? 

To answer this question and many more, we’re joined again by Liam Barton, Senior HR Consultant here at Insight HR.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice on how to create the HR systems and workplace culture that's right for your business.

For show notes, go to www.InsightHR.ie/Podcast. 

If you need any HR support in Ireland, get in touch with us at Insight HR.

Whether it's conducting a complex workplace investigation, filling a gap by providing you with a virtual or an onsite HR resource, or providing advice via our HR support line, as an expert HR consultancy in Ireland, we'll help you resolve whatever Human Resources challenge your business is facing.

Visit us at www.InsightHR.ie.

Bridging the Connection Gap: Why Work Feels More Disconnected Than Ever

We've never had more ways to communicate at work, yet many employees have never felt more disconnected. With hybrid working now firmly established, organisations are grappling with a new challenge: how do you build genuine human connection when work has become increasingly digital, transactional and fragmented?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary Cullen are joined by Scott McInnes, Founder of Inspiring Change, to discuss the findings of his latest research report, Bridging the Connection Gap. Together they explore why workplace connection has become one of the biggest cultural challenges facing organisations today, what hybrid working has changed, and how leaders can intentionally create environments where people feel connected, engaged and able to do their best work.

From overloaded calendars and endless Teams meetings to generational differences, leadership capability and the unintended consequences of technology, the conversation examines what organisations need to rethink if they want connection to become a genuine competitive advantage rather than simply another HR buzzword.

Guest:

• Scott McInnes — Founder, Inspiring Change

Topics include:

• Why workplace connection has become one of the biggest challenges facing modern organisations

• The findings from the Bridging the Connection Gap research report

• How hybrid working has changed relationships between employees and organisations

• Why busyness and back-to-back meetings are eroding meaningful connection

• The difference between digital communication and genuine human connection

• How technology can both enable and undermine workplace relationships

• The importance of intentional leadership in building connected teams

• Why managers need better support and development to lead effectively in hybrid environments

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Connection is not a "nice to have"—it underpins trust, collaboration, wellbeing and performance.

• Hybrid working requires intentional design rather than simply asking people to return to the office.

• Busyness and constant digital communication are crowding out meaningful human interaction.

• Great workplace cultures are built through conversations, not surveys alone.

• Leaders and managers play a critical role in creating opportunities for genuine connection.

• Technology should support relationships, not replace them.

Resources Mentioned

• The Resources page Scott mentioned can be found here. This contains a link to the report and more details about Inspiring Change and the Building Better Cultures Podcast.

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

Every organisation wants to provide a workplace where people feel respected, safe and valued. Yet despite widespread awareness, robust policies and increased reporting, workplace bullying and incivility continue to undermine employee wellbeing, engagement and organisational performance.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Liam Barton (Commercial Director - Insight HR) are joined by Dr. Renee Thompson, CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, to explore why workplace bullying remains such a persistent challenge and what organisations can do to build healthier workplace cultures where respect becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Guests

• Liam Barton — Commercial Director, Insight HR
• Renee Thompson — CEO & Founder, Healthy Workforce Institute

Topics include:

• Why workplace bullying continues despite increased awareness
• The difference between bullying and workplace incivility
• Why senior leaders often have the greatest influence on workplace culture
• Common mistakes organisations make when responding to bullying complaints
• Why policies alone are not enough to prevent workplace bullying
• The importance of training managers to recognise and address inappropriate behaviour
• Building a culture where difficult conversations happen early
• The relationship between psychological safety, respect and employee engagement

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Workplace bullying is no longer primarily an awareness issue—it's an execution issue.
• Organisations must clearly distinguish between bullying and lower-level workplace incivility.
• Policies are essential, but culture is shaped by everyday behaviours and leadership actions.
• Managers need the confidence and skills to address inappropriate behaviour promptly.
• Leadership commitment is critical to creating psychologically safe workplaces.
• Employees are more likely to report concerns when they trust the organisation will act fairly.
• Respect, trust and open communication are stronger drivers of engagement than perks alone.

Resources Mentioned

• Insight HR Irish Workplace Bullying Report 2026
• Healthy Workforce Institute Healthy Workforce Culture Framework
• Enough! Eradicate Bullying & Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Front Line Leaders

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

 

 

HR professionals are often the people organisations turn to during their most difficult moments. Whether managing restructures, navigating conflict, supporting employee wellbeing or leading organisational change, HR is expected to remain calm, objective and resilient. Yet, the emotional toll of the profession itself is rarely discussed.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Jennifer Dolan, Head of People & Culture at Nucleo, to explore why resilience has become one of the most important skills for HR professionals, and how practitioners can build careers that are both successful and sustainable.

The conversation examines the unique pressures facing HR leaders today, from managing redundancy processes and difficult employee relations issues to balancing organisational priorities with genuine care for people. Jennifer shares her own deeply personal career experiences, including being dismissed early in her HR career, managing collective redundancies that affected her own role, and navigating career transitions through the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Together, they discuss how HR professionals can recognise burnout, separate their identity from their job title, build meaningful professional relationships, and develop the resilience needed to thrive through constant organisational change.

Guest

• Jennifer Dolan — Head of People & Culture, Nucleo

Topics include:

• Why resilience has become a critical skill for modern HR professionals
• The emotional demands of supporting organisations through change and uncertainty
• Why HR professionals often carry invisible emotional burdens
• Leading redundancy processes while your own role is at risk
• Recognising when it's time to move on from an organisation
• The importance of building trusted HR networks and peer support
• The role of empathy, honesty and dignity during challenging workplace conversations
• Creating long-term resilience without sacrificing wellbeing

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Resilience isn't about avoiding difficult situations—it's about learning and growing through them.
• HR professionals often carry significant emotional responsibility that can go unseen by others.
• Career setbacks can become defining moments that strengthen leadership and self-awareness.
• Strong professional networks provide invaluable support during difficult periods.
• It's important to separate your identity from your job title or organisation.
• Sometimes changing your environment is the healthiest career decision you can make.
• Difficult conversations should always be handled with honesty, empathy and dignity
• Organisations change constantly—building adaptability is essential for long-term career success.

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

For decades, a contractual retirement age of 65 was a standard feature of employment in Ireland. However, from 29 June 2026, that position has fundamentally changed. New legislation now gives many employees the right to request to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age and continue working until they reach the State Pension age of 66.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Joanne Hyde, Partner at Lewis Silkin Ireland and employment law expert, to unpack the new legislation, explain what has changed, and discuss what employers need to do now to remain compliant.

The conversation explores the practical implications of the new law, including the process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment, the obligations placed on employers, and the significant legal risks of failing to respond appropriately. Joanne explains why refusing a request will now require objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.

Guest

• Joanne Hyde — Partner, Lewis Silkin Ireland & Employment Law Specialist

Topics include:

• What has changed under Ireland's new retirement legislation from 29 June 2026
• Which employees are covered by the new right to work until State Pension age
• The process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment
• Employer obligations and statutory response timeframes
• Updating contracts of employment, handbooks and retirement policies
• Preparing managers to handle retirement conversations confidently and sensitively
• Common mistakes employers make when managing retirement

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Employees with a contractual retirement age below 66 can now request to remain in employment until State Pension age.
• Employers must respond to requests within the statutory timeframe and provide clear written reasons where a request is refused.
• Refusing a request requires objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.
• Retirement policies, contracts of employment and employee handbooks should be reviewed and updated immediately.
• Managers should receive training on handling retirement conversations professionally, consistently and compassionately.

Resources

• Joe Redmond's article on Ireland's new retirement legislation
• Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025
• Lewis Silkin's article on retirement age changes in Ireland

Get in Touch

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

 

Workplace culture is shaped by far more than policies and procedures. It reflects societal values, leadership behaviours, attitudes to work-life balance, and what organisations choose to reward and recognise. As debates around remote working, flexible working and employee wellbeing continue, many employers are looking beyond their own borders for inspiration.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Shannon Murphy, Workplace Investigator at Insight HR, who recently returned from several months working remotely from Australia. Together, they explore what Irish employers can learn from workplace cultures around the world, from Australia's strong emphasis on life outside of work to the progressive workplace practices found across Scandinavia.

The episode also looks at the future of work in Ireland, including the ongoing debate around remote and hybrid working, the growing interest in four-day working weeks, and the importance of creating workplace cultures that genuinely align with organisational values. 

Guest:

• Shannon Murphy — Workplace Investigator, Insight HR

Topics include:

• Shannon's experience working remotely from Australia and the cultural differences she observed
• How Scandinavian countries consistently rank among the happiest in the world
• Ireland's evolving approach to remote and hybrid working
• The benefits and challenges of four-day working week models
• The importance of aligning workplace policies with day-to-day practices
• How employers can assess and improve their own workplace culture

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders:

• Workplace culture is reflected in behaviours, not just policies or values statements.
• Productivity should be measured by outcomes and quality of work rather than hours spent at a desk.
• Flexible working arrangements can improve wellbeing, engagement and retention when implemented effectively.
• Employees quickly recognise when there is a gap between what organisations say and what they reward.
• Work-life balance initiatives are most effective when they are genuinely supported by leaders.

Resources Mentioned:

• OECD Better Life Index — international comparison of work-life balance
• Global Work Life Balance Index (Ireland second in the world, highest in Europe)
• World Happiness Report 2026 (Finland happiest in world, Ireland placed 13)
• Four Day Work Week Research – The World’s largest study, in the UK

Upcoming Webinar:

Book your spot for our upcoming webinar "AI in the Workplace: What HR Needs to Know". The session features insights from Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, and Karen Howley, AI specialist and expert in organisational change.

Register here

Get in Touch:

If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, please do.

If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you'd like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast:

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review.

We love to hear your feedback, we take requests, and we're always here to support you with your HR challenges.

Immediate HR support: 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie.