Accents, home-working and AI: Tackling the big issues with a new series of HR Unpacked
The HR Unpacked Podcast is back for 2024! Jointly hosted by Salford Business School’s Dr Jonathan Lord, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, and Kate Palmer, Employment Service Director at the Peninsula Group, the podcast will tackle the hot topics within the sector that everyone is talking about.
Featuring expert guests from across a range of topics, the podcast relaunches on Tuesday 9 January following the success of the first season last year.
The first episode, released on 24 January, covers accent discrimination, with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Professor Rob Drummond as the esteemed guest. Fresh from the publication of his book, ‘You’re All Talk: Why We Are What We Speak’, Professor Drummond shares his insights into accent discrimination, whether accents should be a protected characteristics, and the crucial question: is accent discrimination just gender discrimination in disguise?
Further episodes include a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be used within HR teams with Dr Maria Kutar, who recently conducted research to see if generative AI tools like ChatGPT can draft a suitable HR policy.
As the series progresses, topics such as mental health in the workplace and the role of employers in supporting colleagues with mental health issues will be addressed: crucial to the current national zeitgeist. The series will conclude with episodes on the Good Employment Charter, Generation Z and how to get the best out of this generation, and the debate around the effectiveness of hybrid-working post-pandemic.
Dr Jonathan Lord, Co-Host of HR Unpacked and Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Salford Business School, commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with our partners Peninsula on the second series of the HR Unpacked podcast. This series, we’re going bigger and better than ever with high profile guests and some of the most topical discussions within the sector. It’s all recorded right here in Salford at our media suite at Salford Business School, and I hope you enjoy this series as much as we enjoyed making it!”
Kate Palmer, Employment Services Director at Peninsula, added: “Whether you’re a HR professional, a business owner or just interested in some of the topical issues of the moment through the lens of human resources, HR Unpacked is a must listen! Our partnership with Salford Business School allows us to bridge the gap between industry and academia, and ensure that we are working with some of the region’s best academics on the issues that matter the most, such as mental health and wellbeing, and how we use artificial intelligence safely. It’s a real privilege to have hosted season 2 of the podcast and met so many incredible guests to facilitate fascinating discussions.”
Series 2 of HR Unpacked will be available from 24 January, with episodes released every two weeks. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen to the latest episodes on the HR Unpacked website.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.