Here, the head of people and culture at a Sydney-based law firm unpacks the headline hurdles facing human resources departments in professional services businesses, and how HR can and should manage those issues.

Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Swaab head of people and culture Angela Sharpe about her work at the mid-sized Sydney-based firm, what motivates her about working in the HR space, navigating talent shortages and increased competition for top candidates, the need to think more creatively about identifying ideal talent, the ever-present mental health challenges in such firms, and the role of HR teams in improving workplace wellness.

Sharpe also delves into the myriad legislative changes that HR teams have to grapple with, including the recently-introduced Right to Disconnect, the corresponding duties that HR teams must undertake, the emergence of new technologies and how HR teams can best adapt, and striking a balance between streamlining processes and ensuring the human touch doesn’t get lost. She also reflects on whether it has ever been more difficult to be in HR in a professional services environment.

There exists, Ilona Charles says, an “ongoing issue” with how human resources is perceived as a business function. Understanding why this is the case and taking the requisite practical steps to address it is the best way for such professionals to meaningfully contribute to the business.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Shilo chief executive and co-founder Ilona Charles about the credibility deficit that human resources teams and professionals currently face and why, the circumstances contributing to such a deficit, how the age of COVID-19 impacted HR’s credibility positively, and how urgent a priority it is to address the existing deficit.

Charles also reflects on the starting points to change hearts and minds in the workforce, the need for a more holistic approach and not simply reacting to the world around you, the all-important need for in-person conversations and meaningful communication, further practical steps to take in addressing the credibility deficit, opportunities for HR to redefine itself, and how optimistic she is that HR can turn things around.

The holistic health dangers of being overly attached to one’s tech devices, including smartphones, are well established. Here, we unpack how and why managers will be better placed to not only manage their stress and anxiety by turning off those devices but also be more productive and successful workplace leaders.

In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with clinical psychologist Leila Gray about her work in the Brisbane hinterland and why it is so rewarding, how and why people – including workplace leaders – become anxious when their mobile phones are not nearby, the flow-on consequences from not being able to disconnect from one’s phone, and the health issues that can and do arise.

Gray also delves into the elevated dangers for Type A personalities, whether workplace leaders becoming too addicted to their devices is a growing problem and why, the need for cultural and mindset shifts from such managers, the practical steps that must be taken to reduce one’s reliance on devices and thus better manage anxiety, the need for incremental changes, and whether she is optimistic that Australia’s workplace leaders can make the necessary adjustments.