The HR Room Podcast

• Ep 252 - Migrant Women & Employment - The Talent Ireland Is Overlooking

  Migrant and refugee women in Ireland face significant and overlapping barriers when trying to access employment — from qualification recognition issues and childcare responsibilities to language barriers, rural isolation, unconscious bias, and confusion around immigration permissions. At a time when employers are struggling to find skilled talent, these barriers represent not just an equality issue, but a missed opportunity for Irish organisations. In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Fiona Hurley, CEO of NASC, to discuss the findings of NASC’s Breaking Barriers report, which captures the lived experiences of migrant women navigating the Irish labour market. Together, they explore why highly skilled migrant women — including those with STEM, healthcare and professional qualifications — are being filtered out of recruitment processes, how employer misunderstanding of immigration stamps limits opportunity, and what HR leaders can do practically to remove bias and widen their talent pool. Guest Fiona Hurley – CEO, NASC (Migrant & Refugee Rights Charity) Topics include: Key findings from Breaking Barriers: Challenges in Employment Access for Migrant Women • Childcare, transport and structural barriers that disproportionately impact migrant women • Accent bias, language assumptions and discrimination in recruitment • Why overseas qualifications and experience are routinely undervalued • The “invisible talent pool” of highly skilled migrant women in Ireland • Immigration stamps explained: Stamp 1G, Stamp 1, Stamp 4 and common employer misconceptions • Why confusion around work permissions leads to exclusion — even when candidates have full work rights • How screening tools, interview panels and unconscious bias filter candidates out early • Internships, mentoring and work shadowing as practical entry points • Case studies of employers getting it right through partnership and flexibility • What HR professionals can do now to design fairer, more inclusive recruitment systems Useful Links & Resources Breaking Barriers: Challenges in Employment Access for Migrant Women – NASC Report • NASC contact: [email protected] Get in touch If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do. If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at [email protected]. For confidential HR support, contact [email protected] About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review. We love your feedback and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges. 📞 Immediate HR support: 056 770 1060 📧 [email protected]  

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• Ep 251 - Festive Fallout: The HR Reality of Christmas Parties

  The Christmas party season should be a time for joy and celebration — but for HR teams, it’s often the exact opposite. Misconduct, blurred boundaries, alcohol, drugs, safety concerns, dignity-at-work issues, employer liability… every December, HR braces for what can become the messiest time of the year. In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Adrian Twomey, Employment Law Expert & Partner at Jacob & Twomey Solicitors, to unpack the real risks, legal responsibilities, and unexpected behaviours that regularly turn a festive night out into a January HR nightmare. Together, they explore what employers are actually liable for, whether pre-party reminder emails help, why managers play a pivotal role, and if Christmas parties are – controversially -past their sell-by date entirely. Guests Adrian Twomey – Employment Law Expert & Partner, Jacob & Twomey Solicitors Topics include: Employer Liability: Are Christmas parties an extension of the workplace? Real Case Law Examples – harassment, injuries & blurred boundaries Alcohol, Drugs & Lowered Inhibitions: The behaviour shift HR must prepare for Why pre-party “behave yourselves” emails may backfire Managing Complaints: What to do first thing Monday morning The role of managers in preventing party-night disasters Social Media, Privacy & Reputation Risks Should Christmas Parties Be Cancelled Altogether? Alternatives to the traditional boozy night out Key actions HR should take now to protect employees and the organisation Survey: Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Survey – Share your experience, benchmark against peers, and get early access to the final report. As a thank you, you’ll also be entered into a draw for a €150 One4All Digital Gift Card. Take the survey here Get in touch If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at [email protected] 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, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please share it with colleagues or friends and leave us a review. We love to hear your feedback, we take requests, and we’re always here to support you with your HR challenges. Immediate HR support 👉 056 770 1060 or [email protected]

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• Ep 250 - The Biggest HR Challenges of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

  We've reached a milestone - 250 episodes of The HR Room Podcast! To mark the occasion, we’re taking a step back to look at how dramatically the world of HR has transformed since Episode 1… and what the next era of HR might look like. Dave and Mary are joined by Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, to reflect on where HR has been, where it is now, and where it’s heading. Together they unpack the challenges that defined the early years of the podcast, the issues dominating today’s workplace, and the forces that will shape HR’s future. Guests Mary Cullen – Founder & Managing Director, Insight HR Liam Barton – Commercial Director, Insight HR Topics include: Looking Back: HR in 2021 HR Challenges That Have Evolved - and Those That Haven’t The Rise of Workplace Conflict DEI, Culture & Behaviour Legislation & Compliance: What’s Reshaping HR in Ireland Looking Ahead: HR in the Next 250 Episodes Survey: Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Ireland’s HR Landscape 2026 Survey – Have your say, benchmark against your peers, and get early access to our report. As a thank you, we’ll also enter you into a prize draw for a €150 One4All Digital Gift Card. Take the survey here Get in touch If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn. About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we talk to HR leaders, experts, and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today. If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues or friends, and leave us a review. We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re always here to help with your HR challenges.  Immediate HR support 👉 056 770 1060 or [email protected]  

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• Episode 249 - How to 'Future-Skill' Your Organisation

  Ireland has ranked 33rd out of 35 in the latest Hays Global Talent Tracker - but what does that really mean? And more importantly, what does it mean for you and your business? In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we dive into the realities of Ireland’s current talent market, the challenges highlighted by the Global Talent Tracker, and what HR and business leaders can start doing today to prepare for 2030 and beyond. Dave is joined by Barney Ely, Senior Managing Director at Hays Ireland & Northern Ireland, and John Clere, founder of Unmake, to explore Ireland’s talent landscape - from labour market strengths and skills gaps to the critical human capabilities that will define the future of work. Together, they break down where Ireland is performing well, where improvement is needed, and how organisations can build adaptable, future-ready teams in a world being reshaped by AI. Guests Barney Ely – Senior Managing Director, Hays Ireland & Northern Ireland John Cleere – Founder, Unmake Topics include: Ireland’s Ranking in the Hays Global Talent Tracker Ireland’s Strengths: Innovation, STEM Capability & Workforce Participation The Skills That Will Matter Most by 2030 Resilience, Adaptability & Creative Thinking as “Survival Skills” How AI Is Reshaping Workforce Planning How HR Can Build Cultures of Curiosity, Collaboration & Continuous Learning The Importance of Future Thinking, Tacit Knowledge & Communities of Practice Retention in 2025: Why It’s More About the Mind Than the Wallet Recruitment Strategy: How to Work Better with Your Hiring Partners Resources: Hays Global Talent Tracker – full interactive report & PDF World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs 2030 Living Knowledge Workshops by Unmake Book: Mastering Uncertainty by Matt Watkinson Book: A New Way to Think by Roger Martin Get in touch If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn. About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR, where we talk to business leaders and HR professionals from around Ireland about the topics that matter most to people leaders today. If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues and friends — and leave us a review! We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have. Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 056 770 1060 or [email protected]

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• Episode 248 - Fit for Purpose? Why Everyone Dreads Performance Reviews

  Performance management has been a cornerstone of HR for decades - but is it still doing what it’s meant to do? In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we’re diving deep into the world of performance management - the processes, the pain points, and the possibilities for change. Are traditional appraisal systems still fit for purpose in today’s workplaces? What’s working, what’s not, and how do both managers and employees really feel after going through them? In this episode, Dave and Mary are joined by Crystel Robbins Rynne, Chief Operating Officer at HR Locker, to unpack what’s wrong with the old performance review model - and what needs to change. Together, they explore how to turn reviews from a once-a-year box-ticking exercise into a continuous, constructive process that supports both managers and employees.   Guests Crystel Robbins Rynne – Chief Operating Officer, HRLocker   Topics include Why Traditional Performance Reviews Aren’t Working The Shift from Annual Appraisals to Continuous Feedback How to Equip Managers with Real People-Management Skills Separating Pay Conversations from Performance Conversations How Technology Can Support (but Not Replace) Human Interaction Creating a Culture of Regular Check-Ins and Coaching The Future of Performance Management in the Age of AI   References HR Locker – HR Software for People-Centric Organisations Insight HR Training & Development – Soft Skills & Manager Training   Get in touch If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, you can do that here. If you have any suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at [email protected] or connect with him on LinkedIn.   About The HR Room Podcast The HR Room Podcast is a series from Insight HR, where we talk to business leaders and HR professionals from around Ireland about the topics that matter most to people leaders today. If you’re enjoying the episodes, please share them with colleagues and friends — and leave us a review! We love your feedback, we take requests, and we’re also here to help with any HR challenges you may have. Requests, feedback and guest suggestions 👉 HR Room Podcast Requests Immediate support on your HR challenge 👉 056 770 1060 or [email protected]      

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