Can We Have a Word?

In this compilation episode of Can We Have a Word? from Kara Connect, we bring together short guest clips that discuss the practical steps needed to secure leadership backing for wellbeing programs, the importance of data-backed business cases, and the real-world impacts on employee engagement and organizational performance.

Our three guests (Sharon O’Connor, Martin Gillick, Vivienne Horkan) share how data, culture, and open conversation drive lasting change - and why leadership support is the foundation for success.

There’s no commentary between clips in this episode. We’ll let the voices speak for themselves and invite you to reflect on what listening really looks like in your own organisation.

Speakers featured in this episode

Sharon O’Connor – Management Consultant and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist, Warn (Episode 14)

Martin Gillick – Employee Wellbeing Manager, Bus Éireann (Episode 13)

Vivienne Horkan – Programme Manager, An Garda Síochána (Episode 11)

In this compilation, you’ll hear perspectives on

The importance of educating leaders and speaking the language of business to gain buy-in

Leveraging existing employee engagement data to inform wellbeing strategy

Linking wellbeing initiatives to performance, employee motivation, and retention

Understanding the ROI of mental health programs and why patient investment is needed

Avoiding common managerial mistakes by prioritizing human-level conversations

The value of consistent programs versus one-off initiatives in building trust and psychological safety

The role of wellbeing champions and how ownership across teams fosters lasting cultural change

Creating flexibility within wellbeing frameworks to adapt to local and cultural needs

Building trust through employee support programs and open dialogue

This conversation offers practical advice for executives, HR leaders, and people managers who are striving to create healthier workplaces and drive meaningful improvement in employee wellbeing. Our guests provide actionable ideas for anyone looking to secure leadership buy-in and build a robust, sustainable culture of care.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how better conversations create better workplaces.

Our guest today is Tom Curran, Senior Vice President of International Benefits and Wellbeing at Lockton, the world’s largest independent insurance brokerage.

Tom brings a unique dual background in clinical healthcare and commercial strategy, shaped by years of advising organizations across sectors, including the NHS, Formula 1, and professional sports, on navigating the complex landscape of employee wellbeing.

In this episode, Tom shares a thoughtful look at the realities of designing impactful wellbeing strategies, the limits of quick-fix solutions, and the importance of practical, human-centred decision-making. We delve into how organizations can move beyond “tick-the-box” wellbeing programs and embrace evidence-based approaches that meaningfully support their people.

We discuss:

Tom’s career journey from Chartered Accountant to healthcare professional, and how his dual lens shapes client conversations

The key challenges HR teams face today  -from cost containment to vendor complexity and wellness fatigue

Why the “ill-being” conversation engages leaders more than traditional wellbeing framing

The struggle to shift from reactive mental health support to preventative care - and why ROI matters

What “relevance” means for workplace mental health initiatives, and how to avoid wasted investments

Lessons learned from secret shopper tests on Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and why communication is crucial

Insights on technology, data, and AI - from wearable devices to digital therapeutics - and when tech investment misses the mark

Sector differences and the reality of absenteeism, presenteeism, and the importance of managing sick leave thoughtfully

How transparent communication and internal marketing can bridge silos and build trust

Practical steps employers can take to support employees both before and during sick leave, particularly for mental health

The cultural and organizational drivers that shape wellbeing, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution

This conversation is packed with practical insights for HR leaders, people managers, and anyone seeking to create a workplace culture where wellbeing support is genuine, relevant, and sustainable. Tom’s honest reflections help us rethink what really works—and what organizations need to do differently—to build resilience and care for their people.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this compilation episode of Can We Have a Word? from Kara Connect, we bring together short guest clips that all point to the same simple truth: when people feel genuinely listened to, workplace wellbeing becomes more meaningful, more trusted, and more effective.

Across different organisations, sectors, and leadership roles, the message is remarkably consistent. Wellbeing strategies work best when they are shaped by real conversations, followed by visible action, and supported by everyday listening, not assumptions or one-size-fits-all solutions.

There’s no commentary between clips in this episode. We’ll let the voices speak for themselves and invite you to reflect on what listening really looks like in your own organisation.

Speakers featured in this episode

Nic Elliott – Employment Lawyer and Partner, Actons Solicitors (Episode 17)

Sharon O’Connor – Management Consultant and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist, Warn (Episode 14)

Rachel Murray – Director of People and Brand, ORS (Episode 6)

Andrew Stephenson – Group HR Director, Equiniti (Episode 15)

Brian Crooke – Founder, The Work Well Institute (Episode 3)

Kirsty Baggs-Morgan – International HR Leader, Executive Coach, Author of The HR Confidence Playbook (Episode 16)

Martin Gillick – Employee Wellbeing Manager, Bus Éireann (Episode 13)

Vivienne Horkan – Programme Manager, An Garda Síochána (Episode 11)

In this compilation, you’ll hear perspectives on

Why “one size fits all” wellbeing initiatives often miss the mark

The difference between running a survey and genuinely listening

What builds trust when employees share honest feedback

Why transparency matters, even when not every issue can be fixed

The role managers play in everyday listening and early intervention

How simple, practical changes can signal that people have been heard

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Our guest today is Kristina Middleton, Group Head of Health and Wellbeing at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and an organisational psychology researcher.

Kristina joins us for a conversation with host Tobba Vigfusdottir, exploring what it really means to create workplaces where people feel valued and cared for, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare. With experience leading wellbeing initiatives for a workforce of 17,000, Kristina brings both research-driven insights and practical strategies that move beyond theory and into everyday experience.

In this episode, we delve into flexible working, fairness, compassion fatigue, and the realities of supporting mental health in organisations facing constant demand and resource challenges. We discuss how open dialogue, supportive structures, and listening can build trust and make wellbeing accessible, even when time and resources are stretched.

You’ll hear Kristina’s grounded perspectives from both her academic work and her day-to-day role, offering ideas relevant for HR managers and people leaders across sectors.

They discuss:

Kristina's dual path as a wellbeing practitioner and researcher, and how action-oriented research informs real-world solutions

The importance of fairness and organisational justice in flexible working arrangements, and practical tips for managers to support their teams

How pressure, overwork, and limited resources impact staff wellbeing in healthcare, and why a “back-to-basics” approach to wellbeing is essential

The difference between surface-level wellbeing gestures and meaningful, ongoing support crafted by listening to staff needs

Compassion fatigue and burnout in caring professions, and ways to proactively address and educate around these common challenges

How open team discussions and continuous feedback can help tailor wellbeing initiatives to diverse roles and contexts

The crucial role of internal communication and recognition in building pride, connection, and resilience among employees

Kristina's personal wellbeing habits, including fostering wellbeing through community and her own interests

Whether you're an HR professional, wellbeing lead, or people manager, this episode offers practical advice and fresh thinking for building healthier cultures, especially when the work is tough and resources are stretched.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome back to Can We Have a Word?, the Kara Connect podcast. Our guest today is Nic Elliott, employment lawyer and partner at Actons Solicitors.

Nic brings a unique perspective to workplace culture and well-being, combining his expertise in employment law with insights from his experiences as a youth international hockey player and host of the HRD Talks podcast. We’re joined by Tobba Vigfusdottir, who leads the conversation and explores what is really changing in legal workplaces and the broader HR landscape.

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of HR professionals, the impact of legal changes on workplace culture, and what leaders need to pay attention to in terms of employee well-being and inclusion. We also examine how organizations can proactively manage issues like neurodiversity and menopause, and why manager capability matters more than ever.

You’ll hear Nic’s real-world views on current employment law changes in the UK, challenges faced by HR teams, and practical steps organizations can take to build healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

We discuss:

Nic’s personal journey from psychology graduate to employment law specialist

Key changes in UK employment law, including day-one unfair dismissal rights and their impact on hiring and workplace uncertainty

The increasing responsibilities and pressures on HR professionals, and how organizations can support them

Trends in legal disputes related to neurodiversity and menopause, and what proactive employers are doing to reduce risk 

The importance of not just “checking the box” with policies, but living values through culture and manager behaviours 

How flexible working and hybrid models are shifting workplace culture, especially post-pandemic

The expectations of Gen Z talent and what consultancies and law firms must do to retain them 

Lessons from elite sport: how performance, resilience, and self-care translate to success in high-pressure professions 

Why manager training and upskilling is essential for supporting employee well-being and navigating change

Practical ideas about individual well-being and balance from Nic’s own career and personal life

Whether you’re a people leader or HR professional, this episode offers grounded perspectives and practical ideas to help you adapt and lead in today’s complex workforce.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.