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.

In this special episode of The HR Leader Podcast, produced in partnership with YOUtax, we explore the provision of company shares and related employee incentives, the tax implications for employees, and who bears responsibility for education and upskilling on such taxation matters.

Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with YOUtax founder and director Emma Baxter about the tax and financial wellbeing services that YOUtax offers, the provision of restricted share units in a company to employees, how and why employees are finding themselves with unexpectedly high tax bills, the need to improve financial literacy for employees, and the extent to which such issues are increasingly becoming problematic.

Baxter also delves into the responsibility of employers to ensure that their staff are properly equipped to navigate such employee incentive schemes, the practical steps that businesses and HR managers can and should take to ensure that workers know how to approach their financial wellness, the educational webinars that could be utilised, and the role of the executive suite in ensuring such support.

To learn more about YOUtax, click here.