The HR Room Podcast is the podcast series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share their advice on how to create the HR systems and workplace culture that’s right for your business.For show notes and more information, visit www.InsightHR.ie/Podcast
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
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
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
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
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
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
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
With the EU Pay Transparency Directive on the horizon and gender pay gap reporting obligations expanding to more Irish employers, how can organisations prepare for the changes - and ensure they’re creating fair, equitable workplaces for all?
In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Anita Whyte Moran, founder and host of The Femcast podcast, to explore the evolving landscape of gender equality in Ireland. Together, they discuss the state of play for women in leadership, what pay transparency really means for employers, and how culture and psychological safety play critical roles in achieving real equality.
Guests:
Anita Whyte Moran – Founder & Host of The Femcast
Topics include:
- Gender Pay Gap Reporting in 2025 – What Employers Need to Know
- The Upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive (2026)
- The Changing Landscape of Gender Equality in Irish Workplaces
- Visibility, Support & Psychological Safety for Women at Work
- Moving Beyond Box-Ticking: Creating Meaningful DEI Change
- The Role of HR in Influencing Gender Equity from Within
- Fertility, Family, and the Hidden Barriers to Progression
- How Equal Parental Leave Could Drive True Equality
- Generational Shifts and the Future of Workplace Culture
References
- CSO Gender Balance in Business Survey 2025
- The Femcast – Hosted by Anita Whyte Moran
- The HR Room Webinar: Bullying at Work – How to Take Effective Action
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
When artificial intelligence speaks with confidence - but gets the facts wrong - what happens next? And how do you reduce the risk and spot fake facts?
In this episode, Dave and Mary explore the growing “AI authority problem”: our tendency to believe confidently delivered misinformation. Prompted by a recent case where AI-generated legal papers by a Ryanair employee derailed a €170,000 WRC claim, we unpack what happens when “fake facts” reach real-world settings like boardrooms, and HR departments.
Guests:
- Adrian Twomey, a Partner at Jacob and Twomey Solicitors LLP and employment law specialist
- Edmund Sutcliffe, Prinicpal at considrd consulting
Topics include:
- The Rise of AI Hallucinations in Legal Submissions
- Understanding AI Authority and Misinformation
- The Importance of Critical Thinking in AI Usage
- Human Oversight in AI Applications
- The Future of AI in Legal Practices
- Bias and Trust in AI Systems
- The Role of Doubt in Decision Making
- Critical Thinking in Workplace Investigations
- AI's Impact on HR Practices
- Consequences of AI in Legal Proceedings
- The Human Element in AI Decisions
- Key Takeaways for AI in HR
References
- “Ryanair flight attendant used alleged AI-generated legal papers in €170,000 discrimination claim, WRC hears” – The Irish Times
- The HR Room – Ep 241 – AI in HR: The Promise, The Peril & The Possibilities
- AI Critical Thinking for Smarter AI Engagement – A training course that Edmund has developed
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
In this episode of The HR Room, we uncover the hidden cost of bullying at work - from its devastating impact on mental health and morale to the massive financial and reputational losses organizations often overlook.
Hosts Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director – Insight HR) and Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) are joined by Catherine Jane O’Rourke (Employment Law Senior Associate at Hayes Solicitors)
We unpack how bullying festers in modern workplaces, why policies often fail to stop it, and what leaders can do to create truly safe and respectful environments. We explore its legal definitions, the significant financial and invisible costs to businesses, and the importance of having effective policies and training in place to prevent bullying.
Webinar: Bullying at Work – How to Take Effective Action
In our October HR Room webinar, Dave will be joined by Joe Thompson (Head of HR Services – Insight HR) and Dr. Jen Fraser, PhD (Author of The Bullied Brain). You’ll hear practical strategies for identifying, preventing and responding to bullying in the workplace – from understanding legal responsibilities, to how to implement clear policies and foster a culture of respect.
Taking place at 11.15am on Wednesday October 29th.
Register here, don’t miss your spot!
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
In this episode of The HR Room, hosts Mary Cullen (Founder, MD - Insight HR) and Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead - Insight HR) discuss the rising trend of quiet redundancies, particularly in the context of recent layoffs at TikTok. They're joined by Adrian Twomey (Partner - Jacob and Twomey Solicitors) to explore the implications of these practices on employees and the role of trade unions in the redundancy process.
The conversation also dives into the legal considerations surrounding redundancies, the impact of AI on employment, and the importance of clear communication and planning in managing workforce changes.
Topics covered include:
- Employers seeking to minimize the negative impact of layoffs.
- The redundancy process being challenging for both management and employees.
- Timing is crucial when implementing redundancies.
- AI replacing certain job roles.
- Legislation regarding redundancies being often outdated.
- Trade unions playing a diminishing role in redundancy processes.
- Clear planning and communication being essential in redundancy situations.
The Journal article that we reference on the accusations of TikTok making 'quiet' redundancies' can be found here.
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re joined by Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme at Deloitte, to unpack the findings from their latest research in collaboration with UCD Smurfit. We explore how Irish businesses are embracing AI to boost productivity and support employees, how rising costs are shaping strategy, and why talent acquisition and retention remain the biggest barriers to growth. From innovation and international expansion to employee engagement and wellbeing, Brian shares what the country’s best managed companies are doing today to future-proof their organisations and win the war for talent.
We chat about:
- AI Adoption and the Future of Work
- Addressing Employee Retention & Talent Acquisition
- How to maintain resilience in the face of increasing costs
- The role of diversity in Ireland's best managed companies
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
In this episode, hosts Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) and Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director - Insight HR) are joined by Insight HR’s Commercial Director Liam Barton to discuss the evolving landscape of work in Ireland, particularly focusing on the shift towards remote and hybrid work arrangements post-pandemic. They explore the reasons behind Ireland's high rate of hybrid work, the implications of return-to-office policies, and the potential for conflict and stress among employees.
Topics covered include:
- The Shift to Remote Work in Ireland
- Employee Sentiment and Work-Life Balance
- Navigating Remote Work Requests
- Union Involvement and Employer Challenges
- The Financial Implications of Office Space
- Stress and Tension in Return to Work Policies
- Navigating Workplace Conflict and Employee Well-being
- The Role of HR in Managing Change
References:
- Eurofound’s Quality of Life in the EU Survey
- Women, parents and under-35s most stressed by return-to-work policies, survey finds – Irish Times
- First Award for Breach of Remote Working Provision
Get in touch
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie or on LinkedIn here.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
If you are enjoying these episodes, do please feel free to share them with colleagues, friends and family. And even better, if you can leave us a review, we’d really appreciate it!
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
This week, we're talking about AI – in particular, its transformative immediate and potential impact on HR.
Hosts Dave Corkery (Content & Social Media Lead – Insight HR) & Mary Cullen (Founder, Managing Director – Insight HR) are joined by Stephanie Prenderville (Founder – SP Consulting), a HR leader and consultant who has undergone change and transformation projects at Aer Lingus, AIB, Diageo, Pfizer, Tesco and many more.
We explore the potential benefits, risks and possibilities of introducing AI into HR functions and the importance of developing AI literacy among HR professionals. We also discuss the importance of maintaining a human element in AI implementation to ensure ethical and effective use.
Topics we cover include:
- HR Leaders' Attitudes Towards AI
- The Importance of AI Literacy in HR
- The Seven Core Skills Needed for AI Literacy
- Potential Pitfalls of AI in HR
- The Human Element in AI Implementation
- Embracing Change in the New World of Work
If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here.
If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to hear on the podcast, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, then do reach out to Dave at dcorkery@insightr.ie.
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 what's important to you as a HR professional, an employer or people leader.
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 👉 0567701060 or info@insighthr.ie
What our clients say 👉 Insight HR & SIKA Ireland Limited