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
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
How to Mitigate the Risks of Workplace Investigations ⚖️
In our latest episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re joined by Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, and workplace investigator Susie Lowe, to explore one of the most complex and high-stakes areas in HR – workplace investigations.
From grievances and disciplinary issues to dignity at work complaints, investigations are becoming more common – but if they’re not handled properly, they can leave organisations exposed to serious legal, reputational, and financial risks.
Together, Liam and Susie discuss:
1️⃣ Why investigations happen and what their purpose really is.
2️⃣ The common mistakes and pitfalls that can derail investigations.
3️⃣ Why HR professionals often find investigations so challenging.
4️⃣ How to plan and structure an investigation process.
5️⃣ The role and responsibilities of an investigator – and who should take it on.
6️⃣ Where organisations can go for support if they lack internal expertise.
7️⃣ Whether workplace investigations are on the rise – and why.
🎙️ Packed with insights and practical steps, this episode will help HR leaders, managers, and business owners navigate investigations with confidence, reduce risk, and protect both people and the organisation.
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 Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
What’s really holding culture – and performance – back in today’s organisations? 🤔
In our latest episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re joined by Scott McInnes of Inspiring Change to discuss insights from the brand-new Mind the Gap CPO research report.
Alongside our own Megan Power, Head of Change & Transformation at Insight HR, we explore the five biggest challenges that CPOs say are holding organisational culture back today:
1️⃣ Leadership Skill & Will – why culture must be led from the very top.
2️⃣ The Manager Factor – how frontline managers make or break culture.
3️⃣ Skills for Today & Tomorrow – building growth and learning into the fabric of work.
4️⃣ Accountability for Values – moving beyond posters on the wall to everyday behaviours.
5️⃣ Disconnection – tackling the cultural impact of hybrid, remote, and multigenerational teams.
🎙️ Together, Scott and Megan unpack what these findings mean for HR leaders, managers, and business owners – and share practical steps to help close the gaps.
This isn’t just about HR initiatives – it’s about building sustainable, high-performing cultures where people thrive and businesses grow.
Download the report here - https://www.inspiringchange.ie/mindthegap
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
We've got big news!
After 200 episodes and 3 and a half years, our beloved host, Eoin , is moving on to pastures new, and will be leaving the HR Room Podcast in fresh new hands!
So this week, in a different and special conversation, Eoin, Mary & Liam take look back at some of the best bits and stories behind the scenes from the hundreds of episodes we've been delighted to be a part of so far.
In this episode we cover...
01:57 The Journey of the HR Room Podcast
11:37 Memorable Guests and Highlights
20:01 Impactful Conversations and Community Building
28:10 The Role of HR in Society
36:22 A Heartfelt Goodbye and Future Aspirations
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Unfortunately, in the business we’re in, the team here at Insight HR, similar to other HR consultants and employment law experts, are well aware that serious issues like harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, are still happening regularly in Irish workplaces.
Despite training, despite policies, despite reporting channels, and despite the hopefully common sense approach to these things being unacceptable, these things are still happening.
So how can we build a culture that prevents this, in as much as is possible, from happening? And how important is this workplace culture element in tackling the problem?
Well that’s exactly what we’re speaking about today, as we’re delighted to be joined by our very own Susie Lowe, Workplace Investigator here at Insight HR.
In this episode we cover...
12:14 The Importance of Psychological Safety in the Workplace
23:43 Training and Education: Building a Culture of Awareness
37:20 The Consequences of Inaction: Real-Life Impacts of Poor Management
38:30 Conclusion and Call to Action
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
We’re back again with another episode of Liam’s Law, where Liam will be joining us to discuss a high profile case every month, and share his advice, guidance and key takeaways for you as employers and HR teams.
So this week, of course, we’re joined by Liam Barton, Commercial Director here at Insight HR, this time, to discuss a curious case of redundancy!
In this episode we cover...
00:44 Details of the case
02:39 Understanding Redundancy and Its Implications
05:34 The Temptation of Sham Redundancies
08:31 Guidance on Genuine Redundancy Processes
14:25 Factors Influencing Redundancy Decisions
20:47 The Importance of Planning and Communication
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
It’s a HR person’s worst nightmare isn’t it – a WRC inspector knocking in the door, right before you were about to tick all those HR admin jobs off your to-do list, that may now land you in trouble.
But as we know, WRC audits and inspections do serve a real purpose, and whether we like to admit it or not, are necessary, as they lift the standards across the employment world here in Ireland, and tackle bad employment practices.
And of course, for many of you listening, WRC audits won’t turn your business upside down, and at the very worst, give you a slightly more updated and urgent to-do list.
Today, we’re discussing how to prepare a WRC Audit with our very own Joe Thompson, Head of HR Services here at Insight HR
In this episode we cover...
05:36 Common Triggers for WRC Audits
10:24 Preparing for a WRC Inspection
12:46 The Inspection Process Explained
15:37 Consequences of Non-Compliance
27:04 Proactive Measures for Compliance
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
As we’ve seen in the headlines and in our own experiences as HR people, disciplinaries and any subsequent dismissals can be tricky business – and can end up being very very tricky if mistakes are made and a process is found to be unfair.
So how do we handle this tricky area of HR, and do right by both our people and our own sanity?
Well to talk us through this today, we’re delighted to be joined by our very own Joe Thompson, Head of HR Services here at Insight HR.
In this episode we cover...
05:22 Key Elements of Fairness and Respect
10:50 Identifying Warning Signs of Unfair Processes
17:41 The Importance of Training and Support for Managers
26:15 The Consequences of Poor Disciplinary Handling
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
As many of us know from the statistics, the research, the news, and even through our own experiences or the experiences of friends and family, fertility issues are commonplace, with different journeys and experiences for everyone going through fertility, pregnancy and everything that goes with it.
Thankfully, we’ve seen huge support and progress in this area in the form of policies, supports, training etc. But unfortunately, it’s still a topic that many find it hard to speak about, effectively support people through it, or even fully understand it.
So today we’re delighted to be joined by someone who can give us insights into all of the above, in a conversation I know is going to be really enjoyable and important – we’re joined today by Dr Ciara O’ Keeffe, Consultant at Waterstone Clinic.
In this episode we cover...
02:21 Common Fertility-Related Challenges Employees Face
05:18 Navigating Difficult Conversations: HR's Role
09:40 Best Practices for Supporting Employees
15:47 Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture
23:36 The Importance of Education and Awareness
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
We’re back again with another episode of Liam’s Law, where Liam joins us to discuss a high profile every month, and share his advice, guidance and key takeaways for you as employers and HR teams.
So this week, of course, we’re joined by Liam Barton, Commercial Director here at Insight HR, to discuss an interesting case concerning disciplinaries, dismissals, and all that goes with them!
In this episode we cover...
00:48 Details of the Unfair Dismissal Case
04:25 Investigation and Disciplinary Process
10:02 The Importance of Fair Procedures
14:39 Understanding Gross Misconduct
19:06 Key Takeaways for Employers and HR Teams
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Disciplinaries, investigations, and managing misconduct can be a very tricky process. And when we get deep into the process, albeit necessary, it can be a strain on time and stress for all involved.
And it’s well-covered too – the formal processes behind dealing with misconduct are spoken about in detail by us and other experts alike.
But do we talk about the informal process enough, and how successful this can be? And how we effectively mitigate these types of incidents going forward?
Well that’s exactly what we’re speaking about today, as we’re delighted to be joined by our very own Susie Lowe, Workplace Investigator here at Insight HR.
In this episode we cover...
04:47 When Informal Processes Are Not Enough
09:30 The Role of Education and Training in Misconduct
16:15 Tailoring Training for Effective Conflict Resolution
20:42 Proactive and Reactive Strategies for Managing Misconduct
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
HR support when you need it most.
The Insight HR Team