The HR Room Podcast

Ep 255 - When Redundancies Go Wrong

Redundancies are one of the most sensitive and high-risk moments in the life of any organisation. When they are mishandled, the consequences can be profound - from reputational damage and industrial action to long-term impacts on trust, morale and employer brand.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by employment law specialist Adrian Twomey, Partner at Jacob & Twomey Solicitors, to unpack what happens when redundancies go wrong. Using a recent high-profile Irish case as a starting point, they explore the legal obligations, human realities and organisational risks involved in collective redundancies.

Together, they discuss why empathy matters as much as compliance, how consultation processes shape outcomes, and what HR leaders and managers can do to avoid the worst-case scenario - including strike action, reputational harm and unfair dismissal claims.

Guest

• Adrian Twomey –Partner, Jacob & Twomey Solicitors

Topics include:

• Why redundancies are one of the toughest moments for any organisation
• What went wrong in the recent Covalen case and what HR leaders can learn from it
• Statutory vs enhanced redundancy payments - expectations and realities
• What a “good” consultation process really looks like in practice
• The legal requirements under collective redundancy legislation
• Common risks: unfair dismissal, discrimination claims and reputational damage
• The impact of redundancies on morale, trust and organisational culture
• Managing anger, fear and resistance during consultation
• Supporting managers who must deliver difficult messages
• Why empathy, transparency and professionalism are critical to outcomes
• How organisations can recover their employer brand after redundancies

Useful Links & Resources

• Irish Times article on the Covalen redundancy case
• Protection of Employment Act 1977 – Collective Redundancies
• Insight HR – Redundancy & Restructuring Services

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 at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

Head here for more info on our confidential Redundancy and Restructuring Services. 

For confidential HR support, contact info@insighthr.ie
📞 Immediate HR support: 056 770 1060

We love your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

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.

Wellness Works Ep1: Yoga Mats and Fruit Bowls Aren't Enough

Workplace wellbeing is a phrase we hear all the time - but what does it actually mean in practice? For some, it’s fruit bowls and yoga mats. For others, it’s leadership, culture, and how work is really experienced day to day. In reality, true workplace wellbeing goes far deeper than perks and initiatives.

In this first episode of a new four-part wellbeing mini-series on The HR Room Podcast, Dave is joined by Laura Barry, Head of People Development at Insight HR, to explore what effective workplace wellbeing really looks like, and why so many organisations struggle to get it right.

Together, they unpack the difference between reactive wellbeing supports and preventative, strategic approaches. They discuss why culture and work design matter more than one-off initiatives, the risks of treating wellbeing as a “nice to have”, and how organisations can build sustainable systems that support people to thrive - not just cope.

From the impact of hybrid work and social disconnection to the growing importance of employer brand and psychological safety, this episode sets the foundation for leaders and HR professionals who want to move beyond surface-level wellbeing and embed it at the core of how their organisations operate.

Guests

Laura Barry – Head of People Development, Insight HR

 

Topics include:

• Why “workplace wellbeing” is often misunderstood - and what it really means
• The limits of perks, programmes and one-off initiatives
• The difference between reactive and preventative wellbeing approaches
• The “triangle of support” model for sustainable workplace wellbeing
• Why culture, leadership behaviour and work design matter most
• The risks of getting wellbeing wrong - burnout, disengagement and talent loss
• Employer brand, reputation and the growing importance of wellbeing in recruitment
• The WHO Healthy Workplace Model as a practical framework for HR teams
• Hybrid work, isolation and the rise of emotional fatigue in modern workplaces
• What good looks like: embedding wellbeing into strategy, not just activities
• Questions HR leaders should be asking about the real employee experience

 

Useful Links & Resources

• World Health Organization – Healthy Workplace Framework
• Workplace Wellbeing Ireland

 

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.

If today’s episode has you thinking about how wellbeing is working in your organisation - whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing programme - you can arrange a confidential consultation with Laura Barry by emailing info@insighthr.ie.

 

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 your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

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

Ep 254 - Ireland's HR Landscape 2026

As Irish organisations head into 2026, HR leaders are facing a complex mix of challenges - from attracting and retaining talent in an increasingly competitive market, to navigating cost pressures, culture change, and new regulatory demands like the EU Pay Transparency Directive. At the same time, there’s a strong sense of optimism across the profession, with many organisations investing in leadership development, coaching and capability-building for the future.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Liam Barton, (Commercial Director – Insight HR), to unpack the key findings from Insight HR’s brand new report, Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026. They explore what’s really keeping HR leaders awake at night and where the biggest opportunities lie in the year ahead.

They discuss why talent attraction and retention remains the number one challenge across every sector, how employee engagement and culture are evolving in a post-pandemic workplace, and why AI, hybrid working and skills-based workforce planning are set to reshape HR practice in Ireland.

Guests

• Mary Cullen – Founder & Managing Director, Insight HR
• Liam Barton – Commercial Director, Insight HR

Topics include:

• The biggest HR challenges facing Irish businesses in 2026 — and why talent attraction and retention tops the list
• How recruitment and retention pressures differ by company size, sector and HR team structure
• Why not-for-profits and large enterprises feel the talent squeeze most acutely
• The growing challenge of employee engagement, culture change and rising workplace expectations
• Cost pressures, tightening budgets and their impact on HR priorities
• Confidence levels across HR teams - why most feel cautiously optimistic about 2026
• How prepared Irish organisations really are for the EU Pay Transparency Directive
• Where businesses plan to invest in learning and development -from management training to coaching and mentoring
• The rise of skills-based workforce planning and internal mobility models
• AI in HR: opportunities, risks and the growing debate around recruitment technology
• The ongoing tension between return-to-office policies and remote working expectations
• Key predictions for HR in 2026 — from pay transparency to auto-enrolment and workforce diversity

Useful Links & Resources

• Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 – Insight HR Report 

 

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 or connect with him on LinkedIn.
For confidential HR support, contact info@insighthr.ie

 

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 your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

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

The 10 Key HR Insights of 2025

This episode of The HR Room, we’re looking back at a great year of conversations with some of Ireland’s best HR leaders. We’ve pulled together a little selection box episode for you collating our ten key learnings from these conversations in 2025.

Each insight has a supporting clip to it, but if you’d like to go back and listen to the full conversation on any of the topics, you’ll find the episode number and a link below.

The Ten Key HR Insights of 2025

1. Don’t Be Afraid Of The WRC – Ep 217 – C Suite Special: Inside the WRC with Audrey Cahill of the WRC
2. All Paths Lead Back to Culture - Ep 222 – Culture Audits: Analysis AND Action
3. Change Doesn’t Happen Without Communication - Ep 208 – Let’s Talk Change Management
4. Give Performance Reviews The Proper Time And Training They Require - Ep 227 – Performance, Probation and Common Pitfalls
5. Annual Checkins Don’t Cut It In An Environment Of Constant Change - Ep 248 – Fit for Purpose? Why Everyone Dreads Performance Reviews
6. When Assessing Credibility In Investigations, Start With Plausibility And Consistency - Ep 216 – He said, she said: Assessing credibility in investigations
7. Not Enough Companies Are Prepared For The EU Pay Transparency Directive - Ep 247 – Closing the Gap: Pay Transparency & Gender Pay Gap Reporting
8. Learn From The Best, Ignore The Rest - Ep 243 – Inside Ireland’s Best Managed Companies
9. Develop Critical Thinking Skills In Your Organisation - Ep 246 – Fake Facts, Real Consequences: The AI Authority Problem
10. HR Are In The Best Position To Lead On AI In An Organisation - Ep 241 - AI in HR: The Promise, The Peril and The Possibilities

Happy Christmas to all our listeners and we'll see you in 2026!

Ep 253 - Designing Workplace Wellbeing That Lasts

In a world of hybrid working, constant connectivity and rising pressure, employee wellbeing is no longer a “nice to have” - it’s a business imperative. Yet many organisations still approach wellbeing through surface-level perks rather than addressing the deeper cultural, structural and leadership factors that truly impact how people feel at work.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Dr. Mark Rowe, family physician, lifestyle medicine expert and wellbeing thought leader, to explore what real, sustainable wellbeing looks like in today’s workplace.

Together, they unpack why wellbeing must go beyond yoga classes and fruit bowls, how leadership behaviour and management practices directly shape organisational health, and why wellbeing should be treated as a strategic driver of performance, productivity and retention - not an add-on.

Guest

• Dr. Mark Rowe – Medical Doctor, Author, Wellbeing Speaker & Expert in Lifestyle Medicine

Topics include:

• Why employee wellbeing is a business imperative, not a “nice to have”
• The difference between wellness initiatives and true organisational wellbeing
• Wellbeing as the foundation for sustainable performance and productivity
• The “three Ps” of wellbeing: productivity, performance and people
• How toxic cultures and poor management damage mental and physical health
• Why HR leaders struggle to move wellbeing from intention to action
• Building a business case for wellbeing that resonates with senior leadership
• Organisational wellbeing as an ecosystem - not a standalone initiative
• Practical first steps HR leaders can take to start meaningful change

Useful Links & Resources

• www.drmarkrowe.com – Wellbeing Programmes & Resources
• Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For – Dr. Mark Rowe

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 at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

For confidential HR support, contact info@insighthr.ie

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 your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

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

Ep 252 - Migrant Women & Employment - The Talent Ireland Is Overlooking

Migrant and refugee women in Ireland face significant and overlapping barriers when trying to access employment — from qualification recognition issues and childcare responsibilities to language barriers, rural isolation, unconscious bias, and confusion around immigration permissions. At a time when employers are struggling to find skilled talent, these barriers represent not just an equality issue, but a missed opportunity for Irish organisations.

In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Fiona Hurley, CEO of NASC, to discuss the findings of NASC’s Breaking Barriers report, which captures the lived experiences of migrant women navigating the Irish labour market.

Together, they explore why highly skilled migrant women — including those with STEM, healthcare and professional qualifications — are being filtered out of recruitment processes, how employer misunderstanding of immigration stamps limits opportunity, and what HR leaders can do practically to remove bias and widen their talent pool.

Guest

• Fiona Hurley – CEO, NASC (Migrant & Refugee Rights Charity)

Topics include:

• Key findings from Breaking Barriers: Challenges in Employment Access for Migrant Women
  • Childcare, transport and structural barriers that disproportionately impact migrant women
  • Accent bias, language assumptions and discrimination in recruitment
  • Why overseas qualifications and experience are routinely undervalued
  • The “invisible talent pool” of highly skilled migrant women in Ireland
  • Immigration stamps explained: Stamp 1G, Stamp 1, Stamp 4 and common employer misconceptions
  • Why confusion around work permissions leads to exclusion — even when candidates have full work rights
  • How screening tools, interview panels and unconscious bias filter candidates out early
  • Internships, mentoring and work shadowing as practical entry points
  • Case studies of employers getting it right through partnership and flexibility
  • What HR professionals can do now to design fairer, more inclusive recruitment systems

Useful Links & Resources

• Breaking Barriers: Challenges in Employment Access for Migrant Women – NASC Report
  • NASC contact: info@nascireland.org

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.
For confidential HR support, contact info@insighthr.ie

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 your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges.

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

 

Ep 251 - Festive Fallout: The HR Reality of Christmas Parties

The Christmas party season should be a time for joy and celebration — but for HR teams, it’s often the exact opposite. Misconduct, blurred boundaries, alcohol, drugs, safety concerns, dignity-at-work issues, employer liability… every December, HR braces for what can become the messiest time of the year.

In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Adrian Twomey, Employment Law Expert & Partner at Jacob & Twomey Solicitors, to unpack the real risks, legal responsibilities, and unexpected behaviours that regularly turn a festive night out into a January HR nightmare.

Together, they explore what employers are actually liable for, whether pre-party reminder emails help, why managers play a pivotal role, and if Christmas parties are – controversially -past their sell-by date entirely.

Guests

Adrian Twomey – Employment Law Expert & Partner, Jacob & Twomey Solicitors

Topics include:

• Employer Liability: Are Christmas parties an extension of the workplace?
• Real Case Law Examples – harassment, injuries & blurred boundaries
• Alcohol, Drugs & Lowered Inhibitions: The behaviour shift HR must prepare for
• Why pre-party “behave yourselves” emails may backfire
• Managing Complaints: What to do first thing Monday morning
• The role of managers in preventing party-night disasters
• Social Media, Privacy & Reputation Risks
• Should Christmas Parties Be Cancelled Altogether?
• Alternatives to the traditional boozy night out
• Key actions HR should take now to protect employees and the organisation

Survey: Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026

Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Survey – Share your experience, benchmark against peers, and get early access to the final report.

As a thank you, you’ll also be entered into a draw for a €150 One4All Digital Gift Card.

Take the survey here

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do. If you have any 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

Ep 250 - The Biggest HR Challenges of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

We've reached a milestone - 250 episodes of The HR Room Podcast!
To mark the occasion, we’re taking a step back to look at how dramatically the world of HR has transformed since Episode 1… and what the next era of HR might look like.

Dave and Mary are joined by Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, to reflect on where HR has been, where it is now, and where it’s heading.

Together they unpack the challenges that defined the early years of the podcast, the issues dominating today’s workplace, and the forces that will shape HR’s future.

Guests

• Mary Cullen – Founder & Managing Director, Insight HR
• Liam Barton – Commercial Director, Insight HR

Topics include:

• Looking Back: HR in 2021
• HR Challenges That Have Evolved - and Those That Haven’t
• The Rise of Workplace Conflict
• DEI, Culture & Behaviour
• Legislation & Compliance: What’s Reshaping HR in Ireland
• Looking Ahead: HR in the Next 250 Episodes

Survey: Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026

Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Survey – Have your say, benchmark against your peers, and get early access to our report. As a thank you, we’ll also enter you into a prize draw for a €150 One4All Digital Gift Card.
Take the survey here

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do. If you have any 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 talk to HR leaders, experts, and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues or friends, and leave us a review.

We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re always here to help with your HR challenges.

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

 

Episode 249 - How to 'Future-Skill' Your Organisation

Ireland has ranked 33rd out of 35 in the latest Hays Global Talent Tracker - but what does that really mean? And more importantly, what does it mean for you and your business?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we dive into the realities of Ireland’s current talent market, the challenges highlighted by the Global Talent Tracker, and what HR and business leaders can start doing today to prepare for 2030 and beyond.

Dave is joined by Barney Ely, Senior Managing Director at Hays Ireland & Northern Ireland, and John Clere, founder of Unmake, to explore Ireland’s talent landscape - from labour market strengths and skills gaps to the critical human capabilities that will define the future of work.

Together, they break down where Ireland is performing well, where improvement is needed, and how organisations can build adaptable, future-ready teams in a world being reshaped by AI.

Guests

• Barney Ely – Senior Managing Director, Hays Ireland & Northern Ireland
• John Cleere – Founder, Unmake

Topics include:

• Ireland’s Ranking in the Hays Global Talent Tracker
• Ireland’s Strengths: Innovation, STEM Capability & Workforce Participation
• The Skills That Will Matter Most by 2030
• Resilience, Adaptability & Creative Thinking as “Survival Skills”
• How AI Is Reshaping Workforce Planning
• How HR Can Build Cultures of Curiosity, Collaboration & Continuous Learning
• The Importance of Future Thinking, Tacit Knowledge & Communities of Practice
• Retention in 2025: Why It’s More About the Mind Than the Wallet
• Recruitment Strategy: How to Work Better with Your Hiring Partners

Resources:

• Hays Global Talent Tracker – full interactive report & PDF
• World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs 2030
• Living Knowledge Workshops by Unmake
• Book: Mastering Uncertainty by Matt Watkinson
• Book: A New Way to Think by Roger Martin

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any 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 a series from Insight HR, where we talk to business leaders and HR professionals from around Ireland about the topics that matter most to people leaders today.

If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues and friends — and leave us a review!
We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have.

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests
Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie

Episode 248 - Fit for Purpose? Why Everyone Dreads Performance Reviews

Performance management has been a cornerstone of HR for decades - but is it still doing what it’s meant to do?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re diving deep into the world of performance management - the processes, the pain points, and the possibilities for change. Are traditional appraisal systems still fit for purpose in today’s workplaces? What’s working, what’s not, and how do both managers and employees really feel after going through them?

In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Crystel Robbins Rynne, Chief Operating Officer at HR Locker, to unpack what’s wrong with the old performance review model - and what needs to change. Together, they explore how to turn reviews from a once-a-year box-ticking exercise into a continuous, constructive process that supports both managers and employees.

 

Guests

Crystel Robbins Rynne – Chief Operating Officer, HRLocker

 

Topics include

• Why Traditional Performance Reviews Aren’t Working
• The Shift from Annual Appraisals to Continuous Feedback
• How to Equip Managers with Real People-Management Skills
• Separating Pay Conversations from Performance Conversations
• How Technology Can Support (but Not Replace) Human Interaction
• Creating a Culture of Regular Check-Ins and Coaching
• The Future of Performance Management in the Age of AI

 

References

• HR Locker – HR Software for People-Centric Organisations
• Insight HR Training & Development – Soft Skills & Manager Training

 

Get in touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any 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 a series from Insight HR, where we talk to business leaders and HR professionals from around Ireland about the topics that matter most to people leaders today.

If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues and friends — and leave us a review!
We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have.

Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests
Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 056 770 1060 or info@insighthr.ie