The HR Room Podcast

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.

Workplace culture is shaped by far more than policies and procedures. It reflects societal values, leadership behaviours, attitudes to work-life balance, and what organisations choose to reward and recognise. As debates around remote working, flexible working and employee wellbeing continue, many employers are looking beyond their own borders for inspiration.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Shannon Murphy, Workplace Investigator at Insight HR, who recently returned from several months working remotely from Australia. Together, they explore what Irish employers can learn from workplace cultures around the world, from Australia's strong emphasis on life outside of work to the progressive workplace practices found across Scandinavia.

The episode also looks at the future of work in Ireland, including the ongoing debate around remote and hybrid working, the growing interest in four-day working weeks, and the importance of creating workplace cultures that genuinely align with organisational values. 

Guest:
• Shannon Murphy — Workplace Investigator, Insight HR

Topics include:
• Shannon's experience working remotely from Australia and the cultural differences she observed
• How Scandinavian countries consistently rank among the happiest in the world
• Ireland's evolving approach to remote and hybrid working
• The benefits and challenges of four-day working week models
• The importance of aligning workplace policies with day-to-day practices
• How employers can assess and improve their own workplace culture

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders:
• Workplace culture is reflected in behaviours, not just policies or values statements.
• Productivity should be measured by outcomes and quality of work rather than hours spent at a desk.
• Flexible working arrangements can improve wellbeing, engagement and retention when implemented effectively.
• Employees quickly recognise when there is a gap between what organisations say and what they reward.
• Work-life balance initiatives are most effective when they are genuinely supported by leaders.

Resources Mentioned:

OECD Better Life Index — international comparison of work-life balance

Global Work Life Balance Index (Ireland second in the world, highest in Europe)

World Happiness Report 2026 (Finland happiest in world, Ireland placed 13)

Four Day Work Week Research – The World’s largest study, in the UK

Upcoming Webinar:
Book your spot for our upcoming webinar "AI in the Workplace: What HR Needs to Know". The session features insights from Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, and Karen Howley, AI specialist and expert in organisational change.

Register here

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 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, 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 info@insighthr.ie.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in our workplaces, communication, leadership and even creativity are changing rapidly. AI can now help us write presentations, craft speeches, prepare for interviews and produce polished content in seconds. But while technology can enhance how we communicate, it cannot replace the human qualities that create genuine trust, influence and connection.

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Mary are joined by Niamh McElwain, Award-Winning Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Coach, Consultant and Business All-Star Accredited Thought Leader. They discuss what organisations and leaders risk losing if they become overly reliant on AI-generated communication, and why authenticity, courage and human connection matter more than ever.

The conversation examines the growing temptation to outsource communication and leadership to AI tools, while highlighting the uniquely human skills that remain irreplaceable. Niamh shares insights from her work helping leaders 'own their stage', discussing how trust is built, why listening is one of the most powerful leadership skills, and how authentic communication creates deeper influence than polished perfection ever can.

The episode also explores the role of courage in modern leadership, from speaking up and navigating uncertainty to having difficult conversations and adapting to rapid change. Ultimately, while AI may transform how work is done, it is our ability to connect, listen, empathise and lead with authenticity that will continue to define great leadership.

Guest:

Niamh McElwain — Award-Winning Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Coach, Consultant & Business All-Star Accredited Thought Leader

Topics include:

The rise of AI-generated communication and its impact on workplace relationships

Why trust, influence and connection remain fundamentally human skills

The trust equation and how leaders build credibility and psychological safety

Authenticity, vulnerability and the power of sharing real experiences

Why listening is one of the most undervalued leadership skills

Why courage matters more than confidence in leadership

The future of work and the human skills that will become increasingly valuable

Why curiosity, empathy, courage and listening may be the ultimate competitive advantage in the AI era

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders:

AI should enhance human capability, not replace authentic human connection.

Trust is built through credibility, reliability, integrity and genuine care for others.

The most influential leaders listen more than they speak.

Authenticity creates stronger connections than polished, performative communication.

Courage is a skill that can be developed through practice and experience.

Organisations should encourage experimentation and learning rather than fear-driven resistance to AI.

Resources Mentioned:

Own My Stage

The Courage Project

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Disrupt HR

Upcoming Webinar:
Book your spot for our upcoming webinar 'AI in the Workplace: What HR Needs to Know'. Hosted by Dave Corkery, the session features insights from Liam Barton, Commercial Director at Insight HR, and Karen Howley, AI specialist and expert in organisational change.

Register here

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 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, 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 info@insighthr.ie.