People with past criminal convictions are a proven source of loyal, capable employees. Yet despite clear benefits, stigma – within business and society – continues to prevent many from finding meaningful work. Our research shows only 17% of prison leavers can secure a job within a year of release.  So, what can employers do to offer a second chance and bring more prison leavers safely into our workplaces?

Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Jacob Hill, Managing Director and Founder of Offploy; Alison Bell, People and Communications Director at Project Leaders Ltd; and Sally Eley, Head of CIPD Trust—as we explore how employers can rethink recruitment, reduce bias, and focus on skills and potential over past mistakes. 

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Download the CIPD Trust guide to hiring people with convictions:
cipdtrust.org/recruiting-employing-and-retaining-people-with-convictions/

Asses your organisation's current readiness to employ individuals with criminal convictions with Offploy's quiz for employers:
www.offploy.org/employ


Podcast 217: Willing and able: Unlocking opportunities for prison leavers

A third of organisations are already using some form of AI or machine learning in recruitment and onboarding. As employers increasingly make use of AI to craft job specifications, screen candidates and streamline processes, what about job seekers? Is it unreasonable for job seekers to use the same technology to improve their chances?

Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Katie Noble, Talent Strategy Director at Omni RMS; Natalie Sheils, Founder and CEO at Talenaut; and Katie Obi, Chief People Officer at One Advanced — as we explore whether the growing number of organisations banning AI use by candidates are right to do so, or whether there is a more nuanced approach to consider?

Podcast 219: Dealing with AI use in recruitment and job applications

Bringing you more highlights from one of our most talked-about sessions at the CIPD Ireland Annual Conference – The CEO View on the people agenda for the future.

In this powerful panel conversation chaired by Professor Gina Quin, President National College of Ireland; Gillian Chamberlain (MD, Capita), Bernard Gloster (CEO, HSE), and Eamonn Crowley (CEO, PTSB) share honest insights on what it takes to lead organisations through rapid transformation, disruption, and opportunity.

From the fast pace of AI and tech adoption to the importance of trust, transparency, and adaptability, our panellists unpack the evolving role of leaders and the workforce in shaping a future-ready, mission-driven culture. With 160,000 employees under his remit, Bernard Gloster highlights the importance of clear communication and the impact of tech as an enabler – not a threat. Gillian Chamberlain calls for a mindset shift and openness to change, while Eamonn Crowley emphasises the direct link between employee engagement, trust and customer experience.

Tune in to hear this interesting dialogue of business leaders.

CIPD Ireland Podcast - The CEO View on the people agenda for the future

The Get Britain Working white paper outlines a bold vision to tackle economic inactivity and raise the UK employment rate to 80 per cent. But what does this mean for the people profession? In this episode of the HR People Pod, we put key questions from the CIPD Community to Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. We explore the UK government's plans to transform Jobcentres, support people on long-term sick leave to return to work and deliver on the promise of a new ‘youth guarantee’.

CIPD Director of Profession, David D’Souza, is joined by Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment.

Recorded at CIPD Festival of Work: 12 June 2025

HR People Pod – Ep 26: Getting Britain working - UK Employment Minister Alison McGovern

What is the ideal ‘span of control’ for a manager and are there obvious warning signs that they might be overstretched? Also in this episode, we discuss results from a new CIPD survey revealing the current perceptions of and the challenges within the people profession, as well as what practitioners have said about their career development prospects. 

CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by Janet Campbell, Director at Restoration & Renewal Delivery Authority, and David Blackburn, Managing Director of David R. Blackburn Consulting.

Recorded: 27 June 2025

HR People Pod – Ep 27: Management span | People profession: perceptions, challenges, career prospects

Is it chicken or egg – does leadership shape culture, or does culture shape leadership? The relationship between the two is complex and either one could be the critical ingredient in organisational success. But to what extent can leaders truly set the culture they want or will culture ultimately shape the kind of leadership an organisation produces.
 
Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Beth Samson, People Director at Investors in People; and thought leader, entrepreneur and leadership adviser, Andy Ayim – as we investigate how leadership and culture relate to one another and what organisations can and should do to cultivate the best of both.


Podcast 220: Do leaders establish culture, or are they a product of it?

When is the right time to communicate organisational change, and how can we strengthen people’s resilience to change? Can a better understanding of neuroscience help manage and implement the change process more effectively? 

CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by author, international speaker, and consultant in the field of neuroscience and change management, Hilary Scarlett. 

HR People Pod – Ep 28: Hilary Scarlett special – Neuroscience for organisational change

Would capping the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection at six months be a reasonable compromise for employers? With hybrid working perceived to have a negative impact on managers’ ability to lead teams effectively, what could organisations be doing differently? And what impact is AI having on the prospects of the latest wave of graduates entering the labour market for the first time?

CIPD's Amy Crutchfield, is joined by Beth Samson, People Director at Investors in People; Garin Rouch, OD Consultant at Distinction Business Consulting; and Alison Hodgson, Market Director – CIPD Ireland.

Recorded: 25 July 2025

HR People Pod – Ep 29: Unfair dismissal | Hybrid working | Graduate jobs

The psychological contract – those unwritten expectations between employer and employee, so fundamental to building trust and engagement at work – has dramatically shifted. Once based on the promises of security and long-term service, employees now expect the contract to more closely reflect their values, offer flexibility, and align with a deeper sense of purpose. 

Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests – Trish Hewitt, Founder and Managing Director at Haylo HR, and Nelli Rowsell, People Manager at Advantage Smollan – as we explore what happens when these evolving expectations go unmet, and how a breach, whether real or perceived, impacts employee engagement. 

Podcast 221: Employee engagement and the evolving psychological contract

What are the enablers and barriers to high performance working? What factors should individuals and teams consider to improve and achieve better performance outcomes? In the first of two episodes exploring these questions, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza investigates with best-selling author and broadcaster Matthew Syed the type of mindset that needs to be embraced and the kind of culture that supports people on that journey.

HR People Pod – Ep 30: Enabling high performance working: A growth mindset – with Matthew Syed

We take you behind the scenes of the CIPD Middle East People Awards — the region’s most prestigious platform celebrating excellence in people management. Launched in 2019 in response to growing demand from HR professionals, the awards have grown rapidly: doubling in categories, tripling in entries, and attracting a diverse judging panel of experts who ensure fairness and rigour throughout the judging process. 

The awards not only recognise outstanding HR initiatives — from AI and digital transformation to nationalisation efforts — but also create a lasting legacy through case studies, insights, and knowledge-sharing that fuel the future of work across the Middle East.

CIPD Middle East People Awards

The CIPD Podcast and episodes of the HR People Pod are now hosted on Acast.

Be sure to subscribe to The CIPD Podcast on your preferred platform so you never miss an episode. Alternatively, you can listen via the CIPD website: https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/podcasts/

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We’re the CIPD — the professional body for HR and people development. We are the voice of a worldwide community of more than 150,000 members committed to championing better work and working lives.

Podcast 217: Willing and able: Unlocking opportunities for prison leavers

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