Internal communication as a vital enabler of colleague engagement with Dr. Sarah Pass
Since the MacLeod report was first published in 2009, Engage for Success (EFS) has become a flourishing all-volunteer collective for those passionate about colleague engagement.
A senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School, Dr. Sarah Pass is a practice-oriented academic who concentrates on employee experience and engagement. As a member of the Engage for Success (EFS) Advisory Board, she co-leads the EFS annual survey, which benchmarks the engagement levels of the UK working population.
In this episode, Sarah and Jen discuss the findings of the latest EFS survey, explore the four enablers of engagement and dig into why colleague voice is so important when seeking to build motivation and goodwill at work.
About Dr Sarah Pass
Dr Sarah Pass is a practice-oriented academic who concentrates on employee experience and engagement. She is a member of the Engage for Success (EFS) Advisory Board and co-leads the EFS annual survey, which benchmarks the engagement levels of the UK working population. Sarah leads EFS projects focusing on different aspects and influences of engagement in practice and is also Chair of the EFS East Midlands Area Network.
Sarah is a Fellow of the RSA, an Academic Associate of the CIPD, and a member of the Involvement and Participation Association (IPA) Working Insights Group. In 2023, Sarah was ranked by HR Magazine as an Influential Thinker in HR. Sarah currently works as a Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Business School (NTU).
Find Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpass/
Sarah at Nottingham Business School: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/business/sarah-pass
Engage for Success: https://engageforsuccess.org/
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37:14
Harnessing inclusion for a better society with Ryan Curtis-Johnson
In 2025, workplace inclusion remains a key issue for the UK labour market. In summer 2024, the ONS reported the highest number of economically inactive people since 2012. While this label includes students and the retired, it more worryingly includes those who are unable to access the labour market due to either ill health or accessibility issues.
As the working population across the Global North declines, access to employment opportunity is a social and economic issue. But too many modern workplaces are too slow redesign their hiring and employment processes to maximise inclusivity.
In this episode, Dom, Jen and Cat chat with Ryan Curtis-Johnson from the Valuable500. He explains why inclusion is such a critical issue, not least when neurodivergence is on the rise. This conversation explores the opportunity for internal communication to create work cultures that boost diversity for enhanced organisational resilience.
Takeaways
Inclusion is essential for a better society.
The Valuable 500 aims to end disability exclusion.
Businesses must navigate the fear of discussing disability.
What's good for business is good for society.
Inclusion should be embedded in all business practices.
Neurodivergent individuals can bring unique strengths to the workplace.
Organisations need to be flexible and inclusive in their policies.
Diversity in problem-solving leads to better outcomes.
Internal communication plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion.
Sharing resources and knowledge fosters collaboration in inclusion efforts. Sharing best practices fosters inclusivity and learning.
Disability should be embraced, not feared.
Inclusion must be inherent in organisational behavior.
Internal communicators play a vital role in promoting accessibility.
Training on accessibility is essential for all employees.
Care in communication can address societal challenges.
Celebrating diversity can change negative perceptions.
All employees should be allies for inclusivity.
Inclusivity is a long journey that requires commitment.
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Find Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-curtis-johnson-b2233330/
The Valuable 500: https://www.thevaluable500.com/
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48:49
The rise and rise of workplace activism and the power of speak up cultures with Megan Reitz and John Higgins
With so many pressing environmental and social challenges to address, workplace activism is on the rise. Concerned citizens are increasingly using whatever means they have – whether as consumers, shareholders, or increasingly now, workers – to raise awareness and effect change for the issues that matter to them.
This has dynamic consequences for business. Organisations must work out how best to respond to colleagues who bring social and environmental justice issues to work. Those that refuse to listen to the concerns of their staff face disengagement, or worse, mutiny.
How can – and should - leaders shift from traditionally hierarchical ways of thinking about the views and opinions of their workers towards leveraging and integrating those views for the benefit of all?
In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat speak to Megan Reitz and John Higgins, co-authors of Speak Up: Say What Needs to be Said and Hear What Needs to be Heard. They explore the role of colleague voice in engagement and look at the role of internal communication in helping organisations become better equipped to hear – and leverage – the views that matter.
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Find Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganreitz/
Megan’s website: https://www.meganreitz.com/
John’s website: http://www.johnhigginsresearch.com
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1:02:22
Beating burnout with Tracey Hewett
According to Mental Health UK, 90% of adults experienced high or extreme levels of stress in 2023, a figure that was consistent across all ages. The same research found 20% of people of working age needed to take time off due to poor mental health.
In 2025, there are all manner of reasons why people are anxious, stressed and close to burnout. The way we work isn’t working for far too many of us.
But what are the signs of burnout and what support is available? What can organisations do to help colleagues better manage their workloads? And what part can internal communication play?
In this episode, Jen, Cat and Dom chat with Tracey Hewett, a worklife coach and wellbeing trainer to understand the risks and how to avoid them.
Takeaways
Burnout has been on the rise since the pandemic.
Work-related stress is a significant issue affecting many employees.
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress.
Leisure activities are essential for recovery and should not be overlooked.
Learning to say no is a powerful tool for managing workload.
Organisations have a legal duty to ensure psychological health.
Effective communication is key to alleviating burnout.
Internal communicators can model supportive behaviours in the workplace.
Recognising the signs of burnout is crucial for prevention.
Self-care is essential for maintaining wellbeing in high-pressure environments.
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Find Tracey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyhewett/
Worklife Mindfulness: https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/
HSE - employer’s legal duty: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/overview.htm
Tracey’s stress audit: https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/work-related-stress-audit
Tracey’s blog about burnout: 19 things I learned from a stay at Burnout Hotel
https://www.worklifemindfulness.com/post/things-i-learned-from-burnout
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41:47
Exploring the IoIC’s AI ethics Charter with Joe McMann and Adele McIntosh
In February 2025, the IoIC launched its AI ethics Charter for internal communication. As GenerativeAI adoption goes mainstream, there are many moral and ethical considerations that require contemplation and resolution. Its implementation requires human care, stewardship and oversight.
The goal of the AI Charter is to present some of the most pressing points for organisations to reflect and agree on and to catalyse a live and ongoing membership conversation about how best to adopt AI while sustaining access to good, purposeful work for colleagues.
In this conversation, we are joined by AI taskforce members Adele McIntosh and Joe McMann. As VP Internal Communication and Community for Arm (Adele) and Director of Internal and Executive Communication (EMEA) for Marriott International (Joe), they were expertly placed to help evaluate what an AI ethics Charter might include. We discuss what drew them to the taskforce and the role internal communication can play in helping organisations harness the full potential of AI.
Takeaways
AI is a significant part of organisational development.
The AI Ethics Charter aims to address ethical and human-centered AI adoption.
Internal communicators play a crucial role in AI integration.
The charter will evolve as technology progresses.
AI presents both risks and opportunities for organizations.
Community building is essential in navigating AI challenges.
Transparency and ethics are vital in AI communication.
Understanding AI's impact on jobs is crucial for employee engagement.
Internal communication can help demystify AI for employees.
A strategic narrative around AI is necessary for effective communication. AI presents a significant opportunity for internal communicators.
Maintaining human connection is crucial in the age of AI.
The roles of communicators will evolve with AI integration.
Authenticity and trust may be at risk with automation.
Organizations must embrace AI to thrive in the future.
Disengagement and loneliness are pressing issues in communication.
AI can enhance efficiency but should not replace human insight.
Ethical considerations are paramount in AI adoption.
Communication about AI is essential to mitigate risks.
Continuous learning and adaptation are necessary for success.
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Find Adele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelekmcintosh/
Find Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mcmann-364a1b11/
Download the AI ethics Charter
The Future of Internal Communication podcast is hosted by The Institute of Internal Communication – the only professional body solely dedicated to internal communication.
This podcast hosts a range of subject matter experts from within and outside internal communication, each sharing their insights on the future of internal communication. These thought-provoking discussions address the critical role of communication as a driver of workplace trust, connection, community, collaboration, innovation, engagement, culture, change, resilience and performance.
Organisations today face a rising tide of challenges, causing widespread disruption and demanding wholesale business transformation. How colleagues communicate both on- and off-line is the glue that holds organisations together. Communication cultivates goodwill and drives alignment around a shared purpose.
In a rapidly evolving world, Jennifer Sproul, Dominic Walters and Cat Barnard explore opportunity for internal communicators. As work becomes increasingly digital, data driven, distributed and on-demand, their conversations with thought-leaders examine the human side of work.
This series showcases the critical link between empathic communication and workplace trust, connection, community, collaboration, innovation, engagement, culture, change, resilience and performance.
Listen to The Future of Internal Communication, Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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