The HR Room Podcast

For the next few weeks, we will be republishing some of our most popular episodes from The HR Room Podcast. This episode was first published on Aug 22, 2023. 

The demand for investigations in the workplace is constantly growing. Misconduct is taking place in workplaces, leaving HR teams and organisations with the task of tackling a workplace investigation. But given the time, complexity and seriousness of the issues, this is a big challenge for all involved. So how do you do it, what should you look out for, and where should you go for help? 

To answer this question and many more, we’re joined again by Liam Barton, Senior HR Consultant here at Insight HR.

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR where we talk to business leaders from around Ireland and share advice on how to create the HR systems and workplace culture that's right for your business.

For show notes, go to www.InsightHR.ie/Podcast. 

If you need any HR support in Ireland, get in touch with us at Insight HR.

Whether it's conducting a complex workplace investigation, filling a gap by providing you with a virtual or an onsite HR resource, or providing advice via our HR support line, as an expert HR consultancy in Ireland, we'll help you resolve whatever Human Resources challenge your business is facing.

Visit us at www.InsightHR.ie.

Bridging the Connection Gap: Why Work Feels More Disconnected Than Ever

We've never had more ways to communicate at work, yet many employees have never felt more disconnected. With hybrid working now firmly established, organisations are grappling with a new challenge: how do you build genuine human connection when work has become increasingly digital, transactional and fragmented?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary Cullen are joined by Scott McInnes, Founder of Inspiring Change, to discuss the findings of his latest research report, Bridging the Connection Gap. Together they explore why workplace connection has become one of the biggest cultural challenges facing organisations today, what hybrid working has changed, and how leaders can intentionally create environments where people feel connected, engaged and able to do their best work.

From overloaded calendars and endless Teams meetings to generational differences, leadership capability and the unintended consequences of technology, the conversation examines what organisations need to rethink if they want connection to become a genuine competitive advantage rather than simply another HR buzzword.

Guest:

Scott McInnes — Founder, Inspiring Change

Topics include:

Why workplace connection has become one of the biggest challenges facing modern organisations

The findings from the Bridging the Connection Gap research report

How hybrid working has changed relationships between employees and organisations

Why busyness and back-to-back meetings are eroding meaningful connection

The difference between digital communication and genuine human connection

How technology can both enable and undermine workplace relationships

The importance of intentional leadership in building connected teams

Why managers need better support and development to lead effectively in hybrid environments

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

Connection is not a "nice to have"—it underpins trust, collaboration, wellbeing and performance.

Hybrid working requires intentional design rather than simply asking people to return to the office.

Busyness and constant digital communication are crowding out meaningful human interaction.

Great workplace cultures are built through conversations, not surveys alone.

Leaders and managers play a critical role in creating opportunities for genuine connection.

Technology should support relationships, not replace them.

Resources Mentioned

The Resources page Scott mentioned can be found here. This contains a link to the report and more details about Inspiring Change and the Building Better Cultures Podcast.

Get in Touch
If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

Every organisation wants to provide a workplace where people feel respected, safe and valued. Yet despite widespread awareness, robust policies and increased reporting, workplace bullying and incivility continue to undermine employee wellbeing, engagement and organisational performance.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Liam Barton (Commercial Director - Insight HR) are joined by Dr. Renee Thompson, CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, to explore why workplace bullying remains such a persistent challenge and what organisations can do to build healthier workplace cultures where respect becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Guests

Liam Barton — Commercial Director, Insight HR

Renee Thompson — CEO & Founder, Healthy Workforce Institute

Topics include:

Why workplace bullying continues despite increased awareness

The difference between bullying and workplace incivility

Why senior leaders often have the greatest influence on workplace culture

Common mistakes organisations make when responding to bullying complaints

Why policies alone are not enough to prevent workplace bullying

The importance of training managers to recognise and address inappropriate behaviour

Building a culture where difficult conversations happen early

The relationship between psychological safety, respect and employee engagement

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

Workplace bullying is no longer primarily an awareness issue—it's an execution issue.

Organisations must clearly distinguish between bullying and lower-level workplace incivility.

Policies are essential, but culture is shaped by everyday behaviours and leadership actions.

Managers need the confidence and skills to address inappropriate behaviour promptly.

Leadership commitment is critical to creating psychologically safe workplaces.

Employees are more likely to report concerns when they trust the organisation will act fairly.

Respect, trust and open communication are stronger drivers of engagement than perks alone.

Resources Mentioned

Insight HR Irish Workplace Bullying Report 2026

Healthy Workforce Institute Healthy Workforce Culture Framework

Enough! Eradicate Bullying & Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Front Line Leaders

Get in Touch
If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

HR professionals are often the people organisations turn to during their most difficult moments. Whether managing restructures, navigating conflict, supporting employee wellbeing or leading organisational change, HR is expected to remain calm, objective and resilient. Yet, the emotional toll of the profession itself is rarely discussed.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Jennifer Dolan, Head of People & Culture at Nucleo, to explore why resilience has become one of the most important skills for HR professionals, and how practitioners can build careers that are both successful and sustainable.

The conversation examines the unique pressures facing HR leaders today, from managing redundancy processes and difficult employee relations issues to balancing organisational priorities with genuine care for people. Jennifer shares her own deeply personal career experiences, including being dismissed early in her HR career, managing collective redundancies that affected her own role, and navigating career transitions through the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Together, they discuss how HR professionals can recognise burnout, separate their identity from their job title, build meaningful professional relationships, and develop the resilience needed to thrive through constant organisational change.

Guest

Jennifer Dolan — Head of People & Culture, Nucleo

Topics include:

Why resilience has become a critical skill for modern HR professionals

The emotional demands of supporting organisations through change and uncertainty

Why HR professionals often carry invisible emotional burdens

Leading redundancy processes while your own role is at risk

Recognising when it's time to move on from an organisation

The importance of building trusted HR networks and peer support

The role of empathy, honesty and dignity during challenging workplace conversations

Creating long-term resilience without sacrificing wellbeing

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

Resilience isn't about avoiding difficult situations—it's about learning and growing through them.

HR professionals often carry significant emotional responsibility that can go unseen by others.

Career setbacks can become defining moments that strengthen leadership and self-awareness.

Strong professional networks provide invaluable support during difficult periods.

It's important to separate your identity from your job title or organisation.

Sometimes changing your environment is the healthiest career decision you can make.

Difficult conversations should always be handled with honesty, empathy and dignity

Organisations change constantly—building adaptability is essential for long-term career success.

Get in Touch
If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.

For decades, a contractual retirement age of 65 was a standard feature of employment in Ireland. However, from 29 June 2026, that position has fundamentally changed. New legislation now gives many employees the right to request to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age and continue working until they reach the State Pension age of 66.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Joanne Hyde, Partner at Lewis Silkin Ireland and employment law expert, to unpack the new legislation, explain what has changed, and discuss what employers need to do now to remain compliant.

The conversation explores the practical implications of the new law, including the process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment, the obligations placed on employers, and the significant legal risks of failing to respond appropriately. Joanne explains why refusing a request will now require objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.

Guest

Joanne Hyde — Partner, Lewis Silkin Ireland & Employment Law Specialist

Topics include:

What has changed under Ireland's new retirement legislation from 29 June 2026

Which employees are covered by the new right to work until State Pension age

The process employees must follow when requesting to remain in employment

Employer obligations and statutory response timeframes

Updating contracts of employment, handbooks and retirement policies

Preparing managers to handle retirement conversations confidently and sensitively

Common mistakes employers make when managing retirement

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

Employees with a contractual retirement age below 66 can now request to remain in employment until State Pension age.

Employers must respond to requests within the statutory timeframe and provide clear written reasons where a request is refused.

Refusing a request requires objective justification based on the individual employee rather than relying solely on organisational policy.

Retirement policies, contracts of employment and employee handbooks should be reviewed and updated immediately.

Managers should receive training on handling retirement conversations professionally, consistently and compassionately.

Resources

Joe Redmond's article on Ireland's new retirement legislation

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025

Lewis Silkin's article on retirement age changes in Ireland

Get in Touch
If you're not already following us on LinkedIn, we'd love to connect with you.

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, or would like to appear as a guest on The HR Room, contact Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues or friends.

We're always keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

For immediate HR support, contact Insight HR on 056 770 1060 or email info@insighthr.ie.