HR Insights: The Podcast, Series 6 - The Latest in HR News - January

Welcome back to another installment of ‘The Latest HR News’. This week our host Stuart Elliott is joined by Amelia Lavery and Lee Murphy to discuss the latest topical news articles in business and HR.

In this episode, Stuart and our guests talk about the ever-prevalent topic of hybrid working and the importance that should be placed on workplace culture to foster a healthy work balance. As Amelia points out, ‘the culture sets the tone in the context of how everyone reacts together.’ They also examine the top five priorities for HR Leaders in 2024 which includes topics like management development, organisational culture, HR tech and more, and their ranking of these in terms of building a productive work environment. Further trending topics were touched upon such as AI; the need to embrace this as it becomes more advanced and the potential difficulties of working with Gen Z amidst anecdotal accusations of tardiness and disinterest. As well as the more provocative subjects discussed, they also converse over more entertaining topics such as so-called ‘Mondayitis’, using too much corporate jargon in the workplace and setting business New Year's resolutions. 

Amelia Lavery has over 18 years of experience in HR, starting her career in the Banking industry. She brings deep experience in HR Business Partnering having performed country, regional and product line roles. Sector wise, Amelia has worked across Financial and most recently Corporate Services at Vistra where she has recently been appointed as the Global Head of Talent Acquisition. Lee Murphy is a seasoned Human Resources executive with diverse global experience leading teams to deliver strategic HR initiatives. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Lee has worked in increasingly senior roles for global technology companies such as Google, Microsoft and Nokia. Most recently, Lee was Group Chief Human Resources Officer with FWD and is currently an adviser to Hupo, a technology enabled coaching platform in Asia Pacific.

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Key Timestamps:

• 01:02 - Intro into Amelia Lavery
• 02:08 – Intro into Lee Murphy
• 04:30 – Hybrid Working 
• 10:25 – Leadership strategies for a strong work culture
• 19:15 – Top 5 priorities for HR leaders in 2024
• 25:27 – AI & technology
• 35:25 – Gen Z
• 54:50 – ‘Mondayitis’
• 59:38 – Buzzwords in the workplace
• 64:20 – Business Resolutions for the New Year 

Articles referenced, please note that some require subscriptions to access:

• Employers turn against WFH candidates 
• Lipstick for Zoom calls and befriending the boss – the WFH ways to get promoted 
• Leadership Strategies for a Strong, Flexible Work Culture
• Hong Kong employees want pay raise before returning to office 
• Gartner – Top 5 Priorities for HR Leaders in 2024 
• 6 Workplace Trends Leaders Should Watch in 2024 
• Deloitte rolls out artificial intelligence chatbot to employees 
• How AI is repositioning HR as a key organisational strategist
• What gives you the biggest 'ick' as a hiring manager? 
• Gen Z could overtake boomers in the workforce in 2024 
• Employers avoid hiring ‘entitled’ Gen Zs: report 
• Jodie Foster says Gen Z can be ‘Really annoying’ in ‘the workplace’: ‘Did you not check your spelling?’ 
• Employers in Singapore urged to foster age-friendly workplaces
• Why Monday is the most misunderstood day
• The woolliest words in business 

• 24 Thought-Provoking New Year’s Resolutions to Make in Your Business in 2024 

Additional articles:

• China issues guidelines for flexible job market to boost employment 
• AI could make it less necessary to learn foreign languages
• Don’t go it alone in recruitment: you’re building a team
• Billionaire who ousted Harvard’s head is taking on diversity too 
• When Designing HR Practices: Consider Every Work Relationship 
• CEO: ‘Fundamental misunderstanding’ over D&I exists 
• Hong Kong targeting women in upcoming employment subsidy scheme: reports 
• Manpower costs among top challenges for Singapore employers: survey
• Minimising mental health risks and supporting the workforce 
• Minimising mental health risks and supporting the workforce