Learning and development (L&D) is an area that is increasingly seeing more investment from companies across the board. However, in challenging economic times, it can be easy for business decision-makers to push L&D to the side – despite trying times, this will be a mistake.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jack Campbell speaks with Women Rising founder and chief executive Megan Dalla-Camina about the increases being seen in learning and development initiatives, why it is so dangerous for companies to put L&D on the backburner, whether there are fiscally prudent options for L&D, the broader benefits that come from making proper investments, and how critical such training is for the next generation of professionals.

Dalla-Camina also delves into the imperative for proper and effective training policies, the place for mentorship in L&D, the “dip” in mentorship opportunities for women in the workplace, how workers can seek out mentors in the current climate, developing women into next-generation leaders, how individuals can take matters into their own hands, and why much more work is needed to better support staff by way of L&D.

With board and C-suite executives increasingly demanding action on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, businesses and their HR teams have no choice but to ensure better integration across the board.

In this episode of The HR Leader podcast, host Jack Campbell speaks with Gartner HR Advisory senior principal Jasleen Kaur about how businesses and organisations are increasingly focused on getting DEI right, embedding it into recruitment, workforce planning, and overall talent management, what better integration of DEI looks like across the business, and why it is so beneficial to integrate DEI into workforce planning.

Kaur also delves into the nexus between DEI and addressing talent shortages, addressing the shortfalls on DEI in certain businesses, why DEI needs to be at the forefront of decision making, overcoming various challenges, and whether data analytics will be crucial in promoting DEI moving forward.

Nothing pisses off employees more than issues with their pay cheques. Getting this right is absolutely essential for businesses – thankfully, there are practical ways to get on top of it.

In this episode of The HR Leader podcast, host Jack Campbell is joined by Rippling vice president and head of Asia Matt Loop to discuss why businesses are getting payroll wrong on multiple fronts, the need to consolidate tech, the need for better workplace training, the Closing Loopholes legislation, and avoiding accidental payroll errors.

Loop also delves into the consequences of making mistakes with payroll, being proactive rather than reactive in preventing issues, keeping up with prescribed changes, getting payroll right against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis, managing payroll in a global business, practical steps to take, and improving the wellbeing of your business.

When workers look back on their careers, they remember roles they held both for the good and bad managers they served under. If businesses take the time to properly develop those with managerial responsibilities, not only will those managers become better leaders, but the business will also see more substantive returns on investment.

In this episode of The HR Leader, host Jack Campbell is joined by Florida-based “HR Lady”, Wendy Sellers, to discuss the importance of developing management internally rather than seeking external talent, how PD gets overlooked by businesses, the differences between a manager and a leader, the flow-on effects for businesses that invest in leadership, and the need for more holistic approaches to developing managers.

Sellers also delves into how smaller businesses can meaningfully dedicate time and resources to such matters, how leaders can be HR-minded, managing the juggle of leadership training, staying up to date with relevant legislation, the ever-increasing need for good communication, and motivating employees suffering from burnout.

People living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often prone to restlessness, get easily distracted, and can be impulsive. For leaders who want to remain supportive and get the most out of employees, building a safe and inclusive environment for all should be top of mind.

Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organisation, joins The HR Leader to share her experiences living with ADHD and discuss how workplaces must be proactive in policies if they’re to remain inclusive.

ADHD is a neurological disorder affecting 6 to 10 per cent of Australian children and adolescents and 2 to 6 per cent of adults, driving home just how common it can be.

Waterson outlines just how beneficial flexible working arrangements can be for employees with ADHD. The pandemic paved the way for these practices, which she says has been extremely helpful in promoting engagement and productivity.

Creating a neurodiverse-friendly environment isn’t just beneficial for the individual. It can help workplaces to unlock their true potential by allowing people to do their best.

However, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy, and care must be taken to consider what that means to each neurodiverse worker. Waterson explains a variety of implementations that can be used to support workers with differences, but providing true comfort requires ears to the ground.

Driving growth should be on every leader’s mind, however, with the uneasiness of the modern workforce and the challenges that come with that, leveraging growth can be difficult.

Helping to break down these barriers is Damien Andreasen, HiBob’s vice president APJ. In this episode of The HR Leader, he reflects on his experiences in building high-performing work teams, both during his time at HiBob and in previous roles.

Continuous development and upskilling have only become more important as tech advancements require teams to be educated and up to date on digitally evolving processes. However, there is a clear opportunity, says Andreasen, as this tech can facilitate effective growth.

Purpose, culture, and engagement are crucial aspects of business that are becoming increasingly important considerations for candidates, with Andreasen noting that these components can be utilised to drive performance.

Also under discussion is the importance of communication, and how processes can break down when lines of communication aren’t upheld. Andreasen touches on his experiences at both start-ups and large organisations, and how many themes overlap, no matter the size of the company.

There are plenty of variables that all play a part in influencing the job market. With so many outside influences, the state of recruitment is, unsurprisingly, very unpredictable.

In this episode of The HR Leader, Jas Singh, managing director of SKL, dives into the current trends in the recruitment market, outlining the shifting dynamics in employer-employee relationships and strategies for jobseekers and employers alike.

According to Singh, the market is transitioning from the 2023 trend where there was a high demand for employees. It is neither entirely an employer’s market nor an employee’s market but rather a balanced scenario. Companies are now more cautious, aiming for sustainable long-term productivity instead of panic hiring, which was common post-COVID-19.

With this in mind, Singh urges candidates to showcase flexibility. Upskilling and staying updated with the latest technology trends are crucial in the modern workforce but should be balanced with personality, as these considerations make for an attractive candidate.

The episode also touches on bias in recruitment. Bias is inherent in all humans, often unconscious, and can impact hiring decisions. Companies need to be aware of and address these biases, whether an SME or a large multinational company.

The modern workforce, in the offset of the pandemic, has caused an immense rise in remote and hybrid working. While processes have certainly changed, employee wellbeing shouldn’t take a hit as a consequence.

In this episode of The HR Leader, oVice’s chief human resource officer, Megan Reed, delves into the crucial yet often disregarded world of employee wellbeing in remote working models.

Reed outlines just how imperative communication and connection are in upholding healthy work environments, especially in remote and hybrid work settings. The conversation also touches on the duty of care that employers have and how this doesn’t end just because you can’t see your employees. Isolation and loneliness can occur as a result of these working models, which can be mitigated through effective communication and connection.

The challenges and opportunities presented by remote and hybrid work models are ever-present. However, companies like oVice are innovating to meet these demands. As the workforce continues to evolve, the lessons shared in this discussion can assist leaders seeking to navigate the complexities of managing wellbeing and fostering a positive company culture in a remote-first world.