That Should Be Working!

Join Rich + Coll for their candid discussion on the UK's student loan system and whether they think it may be broken, not working and operating as a tax on aspiration. Together they share personal stories and experience with the system, providing a balanced voice of the many who feel it needs reform.Sources and additional reading: • https://www.rethinkrepayment.com/ - the organisation Rich referred to, campaigning for a fairer system. They can also be found on social media.

In this episode, Rich and Coll have an open conversation about navigating adulthood today. Together they delve into adulthood and associated “adulting” being more than just responsibilities; it involves understanding a complex web of costs, expectations, and systemic issues that shape our financial lives. In this episode, they unpack the real burden of adulting—costs that weren’t fully disclosed and the desire to get a refund on the basis of goods not as described.Key topics:How adulting costs have exploded compared to previous generationsThe gap between wage growth and the rising cost of livingThe societal impact of the rise of subscription based business models and the move away from ownershipSystemic issues behind utility pricing and general corporate profiteeringDebate around accountability and transparency in corporate and government practices.Sources and additional reading:https://helpfulhousemates.co.uk/ - service where a lodger pays lower-than-market rent in exchange for a few hours of support a week.https://apple.news/AApUv_WuhSQyVGScNIUKXEQ - The story where we first heard of the Helpful Housemates CIC.https://apple.news/AxN9QDbyNSDGxaUfHCaDSdQ - The family who are squeezed and trying to get onto the property ladder.

In this episode, Rich and Coll reflect on the true value and meaning of achieving an “exceeds expectations” grading in a formal performance review at work. Together they discuss their early work experiences, highlighting the importance of exposure, soft skills, and understanding the value of non-material rewards. They explore the balance between dedication and recognition, and how stepping outside of formal responsibilities can shape future opportunities but not necessarily guarantee them.Key topics:The spectrum of going above and beyond early in your career without immediate tangible rewardsHow office culture and expectations have evolved with remote workThe soft skills gained from taking on extra roles, like attending company events and participating in external meetingsThe relationship between effort, recognition, and reward in professional growthStrategies for documenting and leveraging extra responsibilities for future career movesHow to set boundaries to prevent burnout while still demonstrating initiativeSources and additional reading:https://hrsolutions-inc.com/2024/01/23/the-impact-of-going-above-and-beyond-on-your-career-and-life/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24245551/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-deeper-wellness/202403/breaking-bad-when-overworking-becomes-problematic 

In the premiere episode of the second season, join Coll + Rich as they discuss how modern attitudes towards work, fulfilment, and side projects are shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. They explore the motivations behind starting side hustles, the risks involved, and how the pandemic has shifted our relationship with work and passionKey Topics:The increasing trend of side hustles and their correlation with workplace satisfactionHow companies are often unwitting investors in employee side projectsThe psychological needs served by passion projects, from esteem to self-actualisationThe critical timing and mindset shifts involved in transitioning from full-time employment to entrepreneurshipLegal and contractual considerations around IP and side businessesThe impact of cultural and economic changes post-COVID on flexible work and creative pursuitsThe importance of balancing passion projects with employment and avoiding burnoutSources and additional reading:https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/workplace-mental-health-statistics-2026/  https://somethingbig.co.uk/employee-engagement-is-falling-in-2025-is-it-time-for-a-workplace-reset/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/jobs/career-advice/9-to-5-job-funds-my-passion-project/

In the fourth instalment and final of the Startup Grad series, Coll + Rich discuss the challenges and realities of working in the startup world, tackling the unsexy side of startup life: what happens when things don't go to plan. This episode revisits past experiences of the hosts explore the emotional and professional impacts of redundancy, the importance of aligning personal values with company pivots, and the significance of maintaining professional relationships. The conversation also touches on the pressures of burnout and the value of self-preservation in career decisions.Key Discussion Points include:How redundancies can occur even in successful companiesHow career pivots can offer new opportunities and growth.The dynamics of the startup world requiring adaptability and resilienceThe ugly truths of working in the world of start ups and tech The importance of how your network really is your net worth Important Takeaways for the Startup Graduate:It's essential to evaluate if a company's new direction aligns with your values and career aspirationsSelf-preservation is crucial when considering job changes.Maintaining relationships can be beneficial for future opportunities.Reputation is a key currency in the job market.It's important to assess your appetite for risk in a changing work environment.Burnout is a common issue in startups and should be considered in all decisions.What do you do when where you work seems to be on shaky ground? Are you riding the wave or jumping ship?Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

In the 3rd instalment of The Startup Graduate Series, Coll + Rich bring you What in the Benefit? Your That Should be Working! hosts unpack the world of startup benefits, job security, and realistic perks. They break down what to look for in job descriptions, what to get in writing, and how to tell whether that shiny “equity package” or “wellness budget” is truly worth it.Some statutory benefits or employee rights in the UK (as of 2025):Paid annual leave (pro rata for part-time)Statutory sick payStatutory Maternity and Paternity leave and payNotice periods and redundancyStatutory pension (Contributions - 3% employer, employee 5%)Key Takeaways:Cash, pension, and paid time off are still king - don’t let equity or office snacks distract you.Always confirm in writing any promises about bonuses, allowances, or wellness perks.Understand the difference between equity and stock options before accepting less pay.Professional development isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity for your long-term career.Startup success stories are rare. Know your risk appetite before you sign.Listeners should research and compare what’s legally required with what is being offered, to properly determine if it is a benefit.Next week, we’ll dive into “When It Doesn’t Work Out” — what to do when your startup hits turbulence, funding dries up, and or redundancies begin.Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

In the 2nd part of the Startup Graduate series, Coll + Rich swap war stories from their early startup days — the wins, the weird job titles, and the era of naïve enthusiasm that brings you the from entry to expertise edition. In this episode, the dynamic duo dig deeper into the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the real startup world, offering valuable insights into the hiring process, the chaos, the scrappiness the importance of aligning passions with professional goals, and, why winging it doesn’t cut the mustard in the hyper competitive market of 2025. Whether you're a new grad, career switcher, or just startup-curious, listen to us unpack what it really takes to get in the door, and what to watch out for once you’re inside.Key Discussion Points: Getting into a startup is often the hardest part.How to evaluate a startup’s: funding - how to politely ask if there’s actually money in the bankculture - does their Glassdoor page read like a thriller novel  future plans before joiningThe truth about inflated job titles (and how they can hurt your career)Red flags in the hiring process: when does too many interviews become too many? How using your passion can help you to overcome the challenging times and to succeedIf you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether “fast paced environment” really means “mild panic at all times” this one is for you! Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

In today’s episode of the That Should be Working Podcast, Coll + Rich introduce the first of a series called the Startup Graduate.This first episode explores the real meaning of being a "startup graduate"—the constant journey of learning, adapting, and breaking free from corporate norms. Coll + Rich share honest stories about moving from structured, corporate roles to the chaotic creativity and unique challenges of startup culture. Together, they reflect on the diversity, rapid growth, and irreplaceable exposure that defines life in a startup, offering guidance for anyone considering the leap. Key Discussion PointsThe definition of a "startup graduate" and why it’s a school you never truly graduate from.Contrasts between startup and corporate environments—chaos versus structure, freedom versus predefined roles.Reflection on the value of seeing direct impact from one’s work, unlike the slower feedback loops of large corporationsListen in, join the debate, and share your thoughts; are startups the new business school? Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Coffee, pints, and the quiet power reshaping your life. From Gail’s to your local pub, from boarded-up fronts to glossy refurbs, we unpack how private capital is rewiring Britain’s high streets, the trade-offs behind the glow-up, and what it means for jobs, prices, and community. We do not sermonise; we get real about the ethics, the economics, and the everyday choices we all make with our wallets.  What we get into•The romance of the independent shopkeeper, and the reality of balance sheets and bulk buying•Why private equity can both revive a parade and strip value from it•Coffee shops, charity shops, and the price of convenience•Jobs, wages, and why staying put can be survival, not surrender•Middle England tastes, rising rents, and the £8 pint dilemma•Practical ways to spend more locally without becoming a martyrNext time you're on your high street, look around. If it's a chain, runs multiple sites, or is a big brand, private equity has likely made its way into your life, whether you want it or not. The question isn't whether this is good or bad, but rather: what do we do about it?Timestamps for reference.... or just listen to whole episode 😉00:33 High streets we grew up with, and what changed.  03:21 How private capital props up, and pressures, well-known food and drink chains.  07:33 Debenhams as a cautionary tale, debt, property sales, and closures.  12:42 Staff treatment, union chatter, and culture under cost-cutting pressures.  17:03 The un-level playing field, bulk buying power, and small independents.  29:01 Pubs, leases, refurbs, and the £8 pint moral twinge.  33:12 So, is the workplace broken, or just shifted, and who gets to choose on ethics. Hosted by Coll and Rich. Recorded in London. *No financial advice, only curiosity and honest graft.*Episode Length: Approximately 33 minutesContent Warning: Discussion of job insecurity, economic anxiety, and corporate practicesListen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Exploring what the AI shift really means for jobs, skills, and the future of work.This episode dives headfirst into the hype and reality of AI at work. We ask the big question: is AI a bubble that’s about to burst, or is it here to stay? From Klarna’s cuts to Duolingo’s chatbot backlash, we unpick the balance between efficiency and the human touch.We explore:•What companies like Accenture, PwC, Klarna, and Duolingo are doing with AI•Why the public still craves real human service•Whether retraining and re-skilling are being neglected•Which jobs are most at risk and which might thrive•How young people (and those nearing retirement) can adapt in a changing job marketIt’s not just about fear, it’s about opportunity, too. AI might rewrite the rules of work, but that also means new skills, careers, and ways of living.Don’t forget to check out Tech Wolf to find out more about AI and your company: https://workforce-intelligence.demo.techwolf.ai Listen in, join the debate, and share your thoughts; will AI steal your job, or spark your next big opportunity? Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, X, LinkedIn and TikTok. Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Welcome to another episode of “That Should be Working” with Rich + Coll. In today’s episode your hosts take on the rising number of sick days a British worker now takes - an average of 9.4 days versus 5.9 days before the pandemic. Why the topic?If more people are taking time off work, does it point to something deeper going wrong in the workplace? This episode was sparked by a survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), prompting a closer look at sick leave policies. We explore how different countries compare in terms of days taken, and whether these disparities reflect cultural attitudes, access to support, or broader systemic issues.What you’ll hear in this episode:•Why UK sick leave is at a 15-year high•How other countries balance time off with productivity•The rise of stress and mental health as major drivers of absence•Why the “work through it” badge of honour is fading fast•Whether sick leave is becoming a form of quiet rebellionRich + Coll share their personal experiences in the workplace - from feeling unable to take time off due to a lack of cover, to situations where taking sick leave was unavoidable, and the broader sense that the infrastructure simply wasn’t there to support needing time off for illness.Key Takeaways:There is a combination of being sick at work and sick of workWe will likely never truly know why individuals are taking more time off for sicknessThe rise in sick leave reflects cultural change as much as health declineFinancial stability shapes recovery and absence decisionsFlexibility in work reduces both genuine and strategic absencesWorking through illness has long-term costs for people and productivityBusinesses investing in wellbeing see stronger results over timeListen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Exploring why some professionals are giving up on homeownership while six-figure earners claim they're struggling - and what it says about modern financial priorities. Welcome to another episode of "That Should Be Working" with Rich and Coll! This week we're diving into two fascinating financial phenomena shaking up the professional world; Guppies and HENRYsWhat’s a Guppy?The "Given Up on Property" generation - professionals who've abandoned homeownership dreams. They explore the idea of young professionals preferring a paid-off car than a mortgage - what does this mean for finances today?Who is HENRY?Not a person, but a group of people. High Earners, Not Rich Yet - why the £100k+ earners claim to feel financially squeezed. Are we losing the plot in the professional work if this is truly the case?What Else We Cover:Individual vs Social Pressure: How peer groups shape our financial expectationsRelative Poverty: Why context is everything in financial wellbeingKey Takeaways:Financial wellness is deeply personal and circumstantialHigh earnings don't automatically equal wealth or securityGeographic location dramatically impacts lifestyle affordabilitySometimes "giving up" on traditional goals can be liberatingThe importance of defining wealth for yourselfReferenced:The i Paper article on Guppies (May 2024) Various publications covering the HENRY phenomenonReal case studies from Edinburgh and LondonJoin us as we debate whether these trends represent realistic adaptation or privileged complaints, and what they mean for the future of work and lifestyle in the UK.Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Rich and Coll dive into the workplace phenomenon that's got everyone talking - task masking. You know, that fine art of looking incredibly busy whilst achieving absolutely nothing. Sound familiar?What's Task Masking Then?Typing loudly like you're composing the next great novel (spoiler: you're not)Frantically checking emails instead of doing actual workSpeed-walking to meetings like your life depends on itPretending to take notes when you're actually doodlingThe Shocking Stats Only 17% of British workers actually love their jobs. Seventeen percent! That's barely one in five. Makes you wonder if task masking is the symptom or the cause, doesn't it?Why Do We Do It?Micromanagement culture that rewards looking busy over being productiveUnclear expectations and dodgy communicationThat dreadful email culture where quick replies somehow equal efficiencySometimes you're just trying to get through the day when work is just... workThe Email Trap Rich confesses to his three-emails-a-day strategy (revolutionary!), whilst Coll shares tales of the dreaded "sorry for the late reply, I've got loads on" opener. If you're replying to emails instantly, you might not have enough actual work to do. Controversial? Maybe. True? Probably.What Can You Do?Have a proper think about whether it's the job or just the workplace that's wrongGet clear on your actual objectives (OKRs, KPIs - all that business jargon that actually matters)Browse job descriptions to see what else is out thereRemember: work gives you meaning AND pays the bills, but if the meaning's gone...Reality Check We're not in the Victorian era anymore. People have lives beyond their desks, and that Australian "right to disconnect" legislation is looking rather appealing right about now.Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

EPISODE 1 Welcome to That Should Be Working - the first episode of our new podcast bought to you by Collette and Rich, the dynamic duo behind TechInclusionUK. Is uni still worth it, or are we just paying £50k to delay entering the real world? We dive into 2025's education chaos: why everyone's suddenly obsessed with obscure degrees, how AI is making half our jobs obsolete before we even graduate, and whether that gap year might actually be the smartest move. Spoiler alert: your parents are still confused about why you can't just "walk into a good job" like they did in 1987.Thanks for taking the time to listen to us witter on, stick around for more and drop us a subscribe! Chapters00:00 The State of University Applications in 202506:39 Changing Trends in University Subjects13:37 The Role of AI in Education and Employment21:12 The Future of University Education25:41 Does University Make the Grade?Listen in, join the debate and let us know your comments. Get us at @thatshouldbeworkingpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.