Well, that went fast. Hard to believe another year nearly over. Considering the annus horribilis that was 2016, it was hoped that this year would be much better. Still dealing with the fallout of Brexit and Trump, 2017 was not without drama. And from a HR point of view, there was plenty to keep us occupied. So, while you are fluting around on Linkedin trying to look busy in your last few days at work (you’re fooling nobody), here’s something…
It is always interesting when those who deliver the news become the news, and this is the case with Broadcaster George Hook in recent weeks. Newstalk, Ireland’s commercial news radio station, announced on Friday that they have suspended their presenter George Hook while they continue a process in relation to comments he made on air regarding the personal responsibility of a rape victim. This piece is not about Hook’s comments and whether he was entitled to make them, but rather,…
Does your work make you sick? Sometimes, it probably does. Think about the typical routine of an office worker: dry eyed and hunched over a crumb-infested laptop in an air conditioned, sometimes windowless environment for more than 8 hours a day. This zen like state is briefly interrupted to consume copious cups of caffeinated poison and a processed, soggy, ham sandwich. So, it is no wonder that we suffer from all sorts of ailments from back and neck pain and…
The BBC revealed the salaries of their highest earning stars last week and the report highlighted huge disparities between the males and females on the list. Chris Evans, at the top of the list earns £2.2million, while Claudia Winkleman, the BBC’s best paid female star, earns £450,000, which, while not to be sniffed at, is about a fifth of Evans’ pay. It is worth noting that the report also highlights an ethnicity pay gap- just 10 of the 96 people…
I am back at work after my summer holidays. 12 fabulous days of glorious sunshine, lazy lunches, rest and relaxation. There were a few meltdowns over dropped ice cream cones and collapsing sandcastles, but my husband soon got over those… In any case, it is great to be back at work and I really feel the benefit of the time away. As a self-employed consultant, taking leave can be a challenge as one wants to be available for one’s clients…
Laszlo Bock, the former SVP of Google’s People Operations this week told Bloomberg that most companies don’t know how to hold on to their best people and ultimately, there are only 2 reasons why an employee stays with their employer: 1.The quality of people they work with 2.The feeling that the work they do is meaningful This is such a simple message. So simple in fact that that only the SVP of People Operations in an organisation like Google could…
Oscar Wilde said that the only thing worse than being talked about, was not being talked about. That may be true, but there are still some red faces at Pepsi this week following their decision to pull their multimillion dollar, high profile advertisement featuring Kendall Jenner offering a refreshing beverage to a Policeman to the delight and rapturous applause of hundreds of protesters. This post isn’t about how Pepsi made a cheesy ad (they did) or how the tone of…
Workplace Wellbeing isn’t necessarily new, but it is certainly a growing phenomenon. Friday 31st March is National Workplace Wellbeing Day and according to research done in advance of the event, 6 out of 10 employees would be more likely to stay long term in an organisation that showed concern for their wellbeing. There can be an element of cynicism about wellbeing initiatives: that they are too ‘huggy’, and don’t take into consideration an organisation’s commercial pressures or contribute to the…
Some years back, I joined a company mid-way through their office refurbishment. It was quite interesting to see the contrast between the cramped, dark, red felt walled offices of old and the expansive, bright, open minimalist look of the new workspace. The cost of the refurbishment was substantial but the rationale was clear: the business was growing, as were real estate costs, and to stay in the same landmark building, the company needed to maximise its use of space. The other…
According to recent figures compiled by Eurostat, Ireland is one of the top performers in the EU when it comes to gender pay gaps. Its 16 per cent differential between men and lower-paid female colleagues of equal standing was the fifth-smallest in the EU. This position is slightly at odds with the recent PWC report which claims that the Irish gender pay gap has actually widened between 2012 and 2015. However one wishes to interpret this, and other gender focused…
A few years ago George Clooney firing people via video call in Up in the Air seemed outrageously inhumane. Now it's an email before getting locked out of the network. How this is acceptable, I do not know.🤯 #TwitterLayoffs
