A Case of the Mondays

Collective bargaining sounds straightforward in theory, but the reality is far messier. Rebecca Chilcott, HR Transformation Manager at Veran Performance, knows this first-hand, and in this episode she talks openly about what it's actually like to negotiate pay conditions across multiple bargaining units.Rebecca and Rameez dig into why a solid job architecture matters so much when you're trying to make pay fair and explainable, how transparency changes the dynamic in negotiations, and what it really takes to get the business pulling in the same direction on pay equity.If you're working in an organisation where unions are part of the picture, or where pay structures have grown complicated over time, this conversation will give you some useful things to think about.Rebecca's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-chilcott-36526a58/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

Most HR leaders struggle to demonstrate their strategicvalue during rapid organisational growth, but Rob Fox cracked the code. His journey into HR transformation offers actionable insights for any HR professional looking to shape their organisation’s future. You'll discover how Rob navigated scepticism from leadership by listening first, and the simplemindset shift that allowed HR to move from compliance to strategic partnership. Rob and Rameez break down specific tactics, includingworking backwards from future goals, prioritising what works, and fostering ownership across teams. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing processes, you'll walk away with proven frameworks, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on aligning HR with your business ambitions.  Rob’s Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-fox-b452b93/  Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/  Visit the 3r Strategy website here:https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the contentcoming your way weekly.– Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Amy Gillespie from St Peter’s Hospice about the unique challenges faced by HR leaders in the charity sector, particularly in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market dominated by larger organisations like the NHS. They discuss practical strategies for appealing to potential candidates beyond salary, the importance of community impact, and the common misconceptions about working in charity organisations. The conversation also touches on employee retention, the generational diversity within the workforce, and the need for charities to maintain a commercial mindset to thrive. Amy's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gillespie-cipd-2b5a173/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Rebecca Hogan, an experienced HR Director in the renewable energy sector. They discuss the challenges and strategies of talent management, the importance of organisational values, and how to maintain culture during rapid growth. Rebecca shares insights on attracting Gen Z talent, the significance of transparency and flexibility in the workplace, and the role of authenticity in HR leadership.Rebecca's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hogan-10830048/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Natalie Molina about the importance of creating social value within organisations and how it can lead to meaningful change. They discuss the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) into social value, the challenges of measuring impact, and the significance of gender pay gap reporting. Natalie emphasises the need for organisations to look beyond mere compliance and to focus on pay equity and the long-term implications of their practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of small changes and employee engagement in driving social value initiatives, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Natalie's Linkedin page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-m-7866aa19/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Helen Graham about the unique challenges faced by start-ups in building effective HR functions. They discuss strategies for competing for talent against larger organisations, the importance of understanding what candidates value beyond salary, and the creative solutions that can be implemented to attract and retain employees. Helen emphasises the significance of leadership development and the timing for hiring dedicated HR support, as well as the potential of fractional HR staffing for start-ups.Helen's Linkedin page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-graham1/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Deeba Ali, Head of People Services at Historic Environment Scotland, about the challenges facing people leaders in the realm of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). They discuss the unique aspects of the heritage sector, the importance of employee engagement and retention, and how to integrate EDI into the core agenda of organisations. Deeba shares insights on measuring success in EDI initiatives, addressing pay equity, and innovative recruitment strategies to enhance diversity. The conversation concludes with practical tips for HR leaders to foster an inclusive workplace culture.Deeba's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeba-ali-chartered-mcipd-52502b45/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem and HR head Stephen Coffey discuss the ongoing challenges organisations face in getting employees back to the office post-COVID. They explore the balance between remote work and in-office attendance, the importance of creating an engaging workplace culture, and the need for flexibility, especially in the education sector. The conversation highlights generational differences in work preferences and emphasises the role of trust in fostering a productive work environment. Stephen draws parallels between workplace dynamics and themes from his favourite film, The Dark Knight Rises, illustrating the need for continuous reinvention in the face of challenges.Stephen's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-coffey/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3r Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Rebekah Holbrook, a strategic leader at Portsmouth Water, about the importance of creating workplace cultures where employees can thrive. They discuss the role of leadership in fostering engagement, the significance of psychological safety, and the challenges of attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. Rebekah shares insights on innovative approaches to talent management and the need for transparency in organisations, especially in relation to pay. The conversation emphasises the importance of understanding individual employee needs and moving away from traditional management practices to create a more inclusive and effective workplace.Rebekah's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-holbrook-21a8139/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Claus Madsen about the crucial connection between employee engagement and patient outcomes in the NHS. They discuss the importance of employee engagement surveys, the direct link between staff engagement and patient care, and strategies for improving staff morale and well-being. Claus emphasises the need for effective communication regarding survey results and the actions taken, as well as the role of leadership in fostering a supportive work environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of addressing pay fairness and the significance of creating meaningful work for employees.Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Claus' Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clausmadsennhs/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode, host Rameez Kaleem and HR director Funke Sadare discuss the evolution of performance management, emphasising the shift from traditional annual reviews to real-time feedback and regular check-ins. They explore the importance of setting flexible objectives, the role of technology in simplifying performance management, and the significance of transparent feedback. Funke shares insights on how HR leaders can engage managers in the performance management process and the necessity of fostering a feedback culture within organisations.Rameez's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Funke's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/funke-sadare-chartered-fcipd-ma-in-hrm-ba235927/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.comWe hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Rachel Cox, Chief People Officer at LCCC, about the challenges of operating without a grading structure in HR, the importance of manager capability, and the role of AI in enhancing HR processes. Rachel shares her insights on how to navigate these challenges, the significance of career progression for employee retention, and the need for effective communication between managers and employees. The conversation emphasises the evolving landscape of HR and the necessity for organisations to adapt to the changing needs of their workforce, particularly with the rise of Gen Z employees.Rameez's here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Rachel's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellcox/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.comWe hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

Jill Johnston, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at The Cumberland Building Society, shares some eye-opening insights into the topic of belonging.She dives into the amazing initiatives The Cumberland has in place to maintain their award-winning workplace environment, challenges they faced along the way, and how they overcame them.Listen to this episode to discover what it means to belong, how sustainability and people responsibilities work together and what 'The Greatest Showman' has to do with any of it...

Join Rameez and employee benefits expert Emma Cowling as they chat about how organisations can get the most bang for their buck while keeping both budgets and staff happy.From affordable wellness options to creative low-cost perks, they explore practical ways to create benefits packages that actually work. Whether you're struggling with tight budgets or wondering why your reward offering seems underappreciated, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on making your benefits right for everyone.

Join Rameez and special guest Mel Francis, founder of Neuroinclusive HR, as they explore how organisations can create truly neuroinclusive work environments.With over 30 years of HR leadership experience, Mel shares invaluable insights about understanding neurodiversity beyond common misconceptions, practical steps for making recruitment processes more accessible and creating inclusive workplaces through simple yet effective changes.Learn why 72% of neurodivergent employees feel unable to disclose their status at work, and what you and your organisation can do to change this.

Did your HR career path look different from what you initially planned? You're not alone! In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, Claire Cathcart shares her fascinating journey from aspiring TV director to founding Elevate, a thriving HR community.She offers practical insights on:- Transitioning from operational to strategic HR roles, including how to develop the right capabilities and have meaningful conversations with stakeholders- Navigating the balance between supporting the business and employees whilst ensuring fairness and consistency- Building confidence in your HR career and overcoming imposter syndrome- Embracing new technologies like AI in HR whilst maintaining the human touch that makes our profession uniqueWhether you're just starting in HR or looking to take your next career step, this episode offers valuable perspectives on professional development and building a fulfilling career in human resources.

Tune into this episode with Nick Skinner to find out how Abcam transformed into one of the top 10 Glassdoor best employers in the UK. Not just for one year, but three years running!Not only that, but Nick speaks in depth about how they ended up in the top 5% of organisations when employees were asked how they felt about pay.From having pay conversations to offering flexible working and being transparent about their benchmarking activities - this episode is a goldmine of advice and actionable tips for your organisation to start the same journey!

On this very special episode of A Case of the Mondays, we are joined by the entire 3R Strategy team to discuss their top tips for building the best workplace culture.We also get some office horror stories from before the time of 3R and find out why Rameez is now vowing to take more time off work.Tune into the last episode of 2024 and we'll see you in the new year with some more amazing podcast guests!

We know the last thing you want to do is sit down and read the entire EU Pay Transparency Directive…That's why our two self-proclaimed 'reward geeks' have done it for you. Rameez and Juan use this episode to discuss some of the most important areas of the legislation and how it could impact you as an HR professional.Stay tuned until the end to also hear Rameez try to make reward humour mainstream. (Shockingly, no, you can't give the EU Directive a movie catch phrase...)

Ruth has been a leading voice in the campaign for pay equity, with over 30 years of international expertise.Today she joins us to discuss the impact of employee referral programs - something many organisations often underestimate. Is it a good way to improve diversity in your organisation or should it be utilised alongside other strategies? Let's find out.

Do organisations really understand the meaning of flexibility?Ursula joins us as an expert in the topic to discuss the allowance for certain flexible arrangements and adjustments in the workplace. We also find out what benefits flexibility could bring to both employees and the business's success.

Do you feel you could confidently approach a conversation about pay if an employee were to approach you?Most managers would shudder at the thought. This episode sees 3R Strategy Reward Comms Manager, Jenna, talk to Rameez about the importance of having these conversations. But most importantly, she offers advice to organisations on how to prepare managers and train them to make these discussions effective and positive.

In episode 18, we delved into a number of business leaders and what sets them apart. In this episode, we are joined by Jo Keeler - Managing Director of Belbin Ltd.Responsible for spearheading strategic and operational activities and building the brand, Jo shares her expertise on how you can master team leadership and help employees to excel.

Sally Percy, author of '21st Century Business Icons: The leaders who are changing our world’ joins us to discuss why the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Mr Beast made it onto her list.What do these people have in common and what does it take to become a successful leader?

Fay Wallis is a career and executive coach with a background in HR. She set up Bright Sky Career Coaching in 2016, which focuses on empowering their clients to have successful and fulfilling careers.Also host of the popular podcast HR Coffee Time, she joins us to talk about how we can overcome some common challenges in our HR careers.

In this episode, we are joined by Michelle Gyimah, a pay gaps specialist and consultant. She helps us explore the topic of hybrid working and how it can impact the earning potential of women and people of colour.What can organisations do more of to ensure their employees have fair opportunities?

Our guest Matt Brooks made an interesting career change from consultancy to recruitment. Having started off as a consultant at PWC, he is now a specialist reward recruiter with some insightful thoughts on the transition from HR to reward.

Research from Oxford Economics found that the average cost of replacing a single employee is over £30,000. This includes loss of productivity, advertising, agency fees, HR and management time.Focussing on succession planning and progression for loyal employees could save you A LOT of time and money...

Mustafa is the Global Head of Talent for Standard Chartered Bank, as well as Global Head of HR for Consumer, Private and Business Banking (CPBB). He joins us on this episode to share insight into the importance of succession planning. Tune in for some valuable tips on how to ensure your employees are set up for success and progression.

The 3R team reflect on Rameez's discussion with Simon Ursell about the pros and cons of the 4-day working week. Would all organisations benefit? How would you get employees on board? Tune in and see if your questions are answered!

Simon Ursell is the founder and director of Tyler Grange—one of the many organisations that took part in the four-day working week trial. Most employers are still extremely sceptical of the idea and even Simon recognises that many think it simply won't work for them.However, this episode sheds light on the countless benefits a four-day work week has brought to Tyler Grange and hundreds of other organisations across the world. Why not see if Simon can change your mind?

You may know Adam Horne from LinkedIn or as Co-Founder of Open Org. Today he is our podcast guest, sharing his mission with us and practical tips on being more transparent in the workplace.With two transparency experts in the mix, you’re in for a treat with this episode! Stay tuned for a fountain of knowledge you can take away and implement in your business.

Reflecting on the power of purpose in the workplace is Jo Gorse – HR consultant and host of the HR Detective podcast. It was fantastic to have a regular listener of ACOTM on this episode to share her thoughts!

We are joined by Ali Khan, founder & CEO of SHAPE Global. With experience that spans over two decades, this episode dives into Ali's thoughts and perspective on how Gen Z are bringing a new driver to the workplace.

During this reflections episode, the 3R team weigh up the pros and cons of probationary periods. Considering Amanda's points from episode 6 - will Jenna and Sarah change their minds about probations?Tune in to find out!

Rameez is joined by Amanda Nicholls - an HR consultant and managing director at HR Solve it. This episode covers the largely debated topic of whether probationary periods should be scrapped. It's something a lot of employers and HR teams, including Amanda, still heavily believe in. But you'll also find out why Rameez decided not to opt for probationary periods when setting up 3R Strategy.

In this 20-minute episode, we are reflecting on Episode 4. With such a complex topic covered, we just had to follow up and see what our team thought of Sahar's insights.We'd love to hear what you took away from last month, so don't forget to get in touch with your questions and comments.

We're delighted to welcome our first guest in episode 4 of A Case of the Mondays! Sahar has been a supporter of 3R Strategy from the start and we couldn't think of a better person to chat to. With her experience in diversity & inclusion, this episode lends itself to a number of eye-opening and thought-provoking discussions all around the topic of faith.How do you think we could make our organisations more inclusive for people of different faiths? Or do you think we do enough already?

The news has been full of reports surrounding groups of workers deciding to strike across the UK and France. Rameez, Tracey and Sophie discuss the reasons for this increase in episode 3, as well as delving into some possible solutions.

Rameez, Philippa and Sarah's healthy debate covers all things Gender Pay Gap. This topic can be emotive and somewhat controversial so why not tune in to see how the 3R Team approach it?While you're there - Philippa covers the difference between GPG and equal pay, something many people tend to confuse.

Join Rameez, Jenna and Tracey as they delve into the question: Should men and women be paid the same salary in professional sports?They will explore the concepts of equal pay and fair pay, discussing the factors that contribute to differences in pay and ultimately questioning whether these factors justify the wage gap.