In this festive episode of "HR Hacks and Halos," Jivan welcomes her longtime friend Seema Grantham, to discuss her role at BHETA, a trade association for home and garden wares and small domestic appliances. The conversation is filled with light-hearted banter as they reminisce about their 40-year friendship, share holiday plans, and reflect on Seema's recent adventures, including a memorable trip to Peru. Seema highlights the various ways BHETA supports its members, from connecting them with retailers to providing export advice. The episode captures the spirit of the holiday season while emphasising the importance of community and connection in both personal and professional parts of your life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Festive Celebrations: The conversation highlights the importance of festive gatherings and traditions, such as hosting on Christmas Eve, annual events like the Strictly Finals party, emphasising the joy of connecting with friends and family during the holiday season.

2. Professional Engagement: The discussion covers the role of BHETA, a trade association that supports members in the housewares and small domestic appliances sector, showcasing its efforts in networking, lobbying, and providing resources for businesses to thrive post-Brexit.

3. Travel Experiences: Personal travel experiences, including a memorable trip to Peru and plans for future travels, illustrate the value of exploring new cultures and the importance of taking time off for relaxation and adventure amidst a busy work schedule.

4. Community and Networking: The significance of community is emphasised through the mention of various industry connections and collaborations, as well as the importance of networking events that help members expand their business opportunities.

5. Work-Life Balance: The dialogue reflects on the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance, particularly during busy periods like the holiday season, while also highlighting the benefits of sharing experiences and staying connected with loved ones.

BEST MOMENTS

"Every workplace can be transformed when we challenge the bad and celebrate the good."

"I wanted to do something different. It's Christmas. Just general chit-chat really."

"If you are thinking of joining BHETA and you've got some home and garden wares or small appliance kind of business, I think you'll be truly well looked after."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, assaulted and bullied at work which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or email at:

jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com

HRhacksandhalos@gmail.com

Resources:

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR

In this episode, Jivan delves into the intricacies of resignations, emphasising the importance of HOW to leave a job, especially in high-stakes industries like life sciences and healthcare. Drawing on recent high-profile resignations, such as those of Rosie Duffield and Louise Haig, Jivan contrasts the impact of emotional versus professional exits. She discusses the potential long-term consequences of burning bridges and offers practical steps for a respectful resignation process, including planning an exit, securing a new role, and drafting a professional resignation letter.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How you resign can significantly impact your career, especially in specialised industries where reputations are crucial. Maintaining professionalism during resignation helps preserve future opportunities and relationships.

• Before resigning, reflect on your reasons for leaving and secure your next role if possible. This preparation minimizes disruption and helps maintain your professional reputation.

• Craft a concise resignation letter that focuses on your role, notice period, and gratitude for your experiences. Avoid airing grievances in the letter; save those discussions for an exit interview.

• Employers should use exit interviews to gather insights about employee departures. This feedback can help improve workplace culture and retention strategies, addressing issues like poor leadership and lack of growth opportunities.

• If an employee resigns abruptly or publicly criticizes the organization, it's essential for leadership to respond thoughtfully. This may involve holding all-hands meetings, issuing professional statements, and analyzing the reasons behind the resignation to implement necessary changes.

BEST MOMENTS

"How you resign matters more than you think. It can shape your career for years to come."

"I think perhaps maybe put it in a drawer overnight and then look at it again in the morning."

"You never know when you might need somebody again in the future."

"I think exit interviews are probably a little bit more productive than the resignation letter."

"A resignation, moving on, that's what fixes it, not the I feel great now because I vented at somebody."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, assaulted by a boss at work and his subsequent aggressive and bullying behaviours which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or send her an email at:

jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR

In this episode, Jivan is flying solo, diving into the critical topic of Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within the workplace. Drawing from years of experience in life sciences, healthcare, and pharma, Jivan emphasises the importance of creating environments where all employees feel valued and heard. She discusses the financial and cultural benefits of strong DEIB initiatives, highlighting research that shows how they can drive innovation, enhance decision-making, and improve employee engagement.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are essential for creating a workplace culture where employees feel valued, heard, and safe. This is particularly crucial in industries like healthcare and life sciences, where innovation and collaboration are vital.

• Organisations that invest in DEIB initiatives see significant financial benefits, including a 25% increase in profitability and 30% lower turnover rates. These metrics highlight the correlation between strong DEIB programmes and improved business performance.

• For DEIB to be effective, senior leaders must actively champion these initiatives, model inclusive behaviours, and integrate DEIB goals into the organisation's strategic priorities. This includes aligning DEIB objectives with key performance indicators (KPIs) across departments.

• Organisations should openly share their DEIB goals, progress, and challenges to build trust among employees. Regular assessments and feedback mechanisms are necessary to refine DEIB strategies and ensure they remain a priority.

• The concept of belonging is crucial for employee engagement and retention. Creating an environment where individuals feel connected to the organisation enhances their overall experience and strengthens the organisation's impact in its industry.

BEST MOMENTS

"DEIB isn't just a nice to have, it's essential for staying competitive and building a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve."

"Toxic behaviours cost organisations billions in turnover, absenteeism, and lost productivity. It's staggering."

"Companies with strong DEIB programs outperformed others by 25% in profitability and reported 30% lower turnover rates."

"Senior leaders need to see DEIB as a strategic priority, not just something that sits within HR."

"By embedding the notion of DEI, particularly the concept of belonging, you're not only improving the employee experience but also strengthening your industry's impact."

HOST BIO

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, assaulted by a boss at work, his aggressive and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all.

Please connect with her on Linked In:

Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn

Or send her an email at:

jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com

www.fiverivers-consulting.com

HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv

Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out

https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR