Thought Leadership
15 Jul 2026
The broken middle: why public sector recruitment is getting harder, not easier
Recruitment in the public sector is changing. While application volumes are increasing, many organisations are still struggling to make appointments, retain new starters and address ongoing skills shortages. In this article, Chloe Herrmann explores why the recruitment challenge has shifted from attracting candidates to assessing capability, improving conversion and building long-term workforce resilience. She examines the impact of AI-assisted applications, early attrition, workforce planning and local government reorganisation, and explains why recruitment success now depends on what happens between application and appointment.
15 Jul 2026
Inclusive leadership in a world of permacrisis
In today's world of constant disruption, leadership is more challenging than ever. In this article, Shakil Butt, HR Associate at WME, explores why inclusive leadership has become a business imperative. He examines how diverse thinking, psychological safety and the confidence to have difficult inclusive conversations enable organisations to navigate complexity, move beyond echo chambers and build cultures where people feel valued, heard and empowered to contribute their very best.
15 Jul 2026
The new unfair dismissal landscape: Rethinking probationary periods
The forthcoming changes to unfair dismissal rights are prompting many organisations to rethink how they manage probationary periods. Lorna Wells explores whether the real issue is probation itself, or the need for stronger people management from day one. She considers the implications for HR professionals, recruitment, onboarding and employee development, arguing that continuous support and fair performance management create better outcomes for both employees and organisations.
10 Jun 2026
Is AI the answer to the future of work or are we asking the wrong question?
Dr Nicola J Millard reflects on long-standing debates about the future of work and why many technology-led predictions continue to fall short. Drawing on history, psychology and current discussions around AI, the article explores why challenges such as engagement, critical thinking and work design remain fundamentally human. It considers how organisations can move beyond efficiency gains to design work that supports better thinking, creativity and sustainable performance.
10 Jun 2026
What the HSE’s renewed focus on stress at work really means for employers
Work-related stress is no longer just a wellbeing issue, it is firmly a health and safety risk, and the HSE is treating it that way. This article explains what the regulator’s renewed focus means in practice, including what “good enough” now looks like and why policies alone won’t protect organisations. It sets out practical, preventative steps HR leaders can take to evidence effective controls and reduce enforcement risk.
10 Jun 2026
Human Intelligence in an AI World – the moment HR & OD have been waiting for
AI promises unprecedented efficiency, but it also raises a critical leadership challenge. In this thought-provoking article, Juliette Alban-Metcalfe explains why advances in AI create the strongest business case yet for human-centred leadership, culture and change readiness. For HR and OD professionals, this is not a threat but a long-awaited opportunity to drive meaningful, strategic change.
13 May 2026
When routine becomes the problem: Habituation and the case for continuous improvement
Habituation helps us manage the familiar, but at work it can quietly stop teams from questioning routines that no longer serve them. In this article, Steve Jackson explores how Continuous Improvement can help councils create space for small, practical changes led by the people closest to the work. By reducing friction, encouraging experimentation and building ownership, CI offers a low-risk route to stronger engagement, better services and more confident teams.
13 May 2026
Sexual harassment at work: Being ready for what comes next.
Lorna Wells explores the growing focus on sexual harassment in the workplace and what recent legal changes mean for public sector employers. Drawing on survey findings and emerging case law, the piece examines why incidents continue to go unreported and why compliance alone is no longer enough. It considers how organisations can move beyond policy and training to build cultures rooted in trust, accountability and prevention.
13 May 2026
The quiet collapse of ‘how we’ve always done it’: Reflections on the PPMA Conference 2026
Reflecting on the PPMA Conference 2026, Rebecca Davis explores how local government is moving beyond familiar ideas of complexity into a more uncertain, people-led future. From reform and AI to workforce capacity and leadership confidence, the article considers why the sector’s ability to adapt will depend not only on structures or funding, but on how seriously organisations invest in people, culture and change.