Hugo Tucker’s Post

Join the West of England Combined Authority at the inaugural Good Employment Summit on 18 October 🗓️ We will be celebrating a year of remarkable achievements of the Good Employment Charter and will delve into pivotal themes that define quality employment – from innovative recruitment practices to fostering professional growth and embracing flexible work dynamics. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, including BT, Babbasa and Mayden. Highlights include: · Gain valuable insights from national experts and local employer speakers who are at the forefront of the industry · Enjoy discussions on recruitment, skill development, and work flexibility · Showcase positive initiatives currently in progress · Explore the future landscape of work to inform impactful strategies · Reflect on the Good Employment Charter's first-year achievements It is the perfect opportunity for CEOs, HR Directors and Senior Decision Makers to get together and make a difference to support their business growth. Secure your place today: https://bit.ly/3L5jH75 #GoodEmploymentSummit #FutureOfWork #ProfessionalGrowth #employment #event #conference #Bristol

🌟 Celebrating International Labor Day! 🌟 On this International Labor Day, let's reflect on the essence of human capability in enriching organizational outcomes. As an HR professional, I advocate for the Outside-In approach, as articulated by Dave Ulrich in "HR from Outside In." This approach underscores the pivotal role of human capability in shaping organizational success. In today's dynamic landscape, where labor issues persist across the globe, it's crucial to recognize the transformative power of human capability. By harnessing the potential of our workforce, we can create workplaces that not only thrive but also foster wealth sharing and societal well-being. Let's leverage this day to reaffirm our commitment to championing the rights and dignity of workers worldwide. Together, let's strive for workplaces where every individual's contribution is valued and celebrated. Happy International Labor Day! 💼🌍 #InternationalLaborDay #HumanCapability #Workplace #Wellbeing #IncomeJustice

🎉 Today we celebrate International Workers’ Day! 🌍 Also known as May Day, this day is a celebration of the rights and achievements of workers across the globe. Although its roots go back to the fight for an eight-hour workday in the USA in 1886, today it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the significance of work in society. 👥 In HR, we have a reason to celebrate today - we’re reminded of the importance of fair working conditions and continuous support for our employees. International Workers’ Day reminds us how crucial it is to constantly focus on improving the work environment and recognizing the unique contributions of each team member. 💡 Interesting fact: Did you know that some countries, like the USA, celebrate Labor Day on a different date, specifically the first Monday in September? This difference in date reflects the various historical and cultural influences that shaped the labor movement in different countries. 😄 And finally, a little humorous note: Even though we’re off today, most of us HR professionals are probably thinking about how to plan the next great projects for our teams. The work of HR never sleeps, but today at least we can take a slightly longer coffee break! ☕😉 #WorkersDay #HR #EmployeeRights

This week Joseph Perry and I ran our strategic employment relations network and begun preparing for our third development programme. We also started talking to people with different perspectives on the world of work about exciting events in 2024. This is exciting but I admit to feeling a bit despondent. There are still strikes in the public and private sectors which the Government is just ignoring in their patch. Strikes are visible but usually the tip of the iceberg – its what is going on underneath that is as fascinating. What I am hearing is the world of work is increasing characterised by feelings of mistrust, anger, resentment, frustration or total lack of engagement from employees and their representatives. Over to this weeks World Values Survey – one of the largest and most widely used academic social surveys in the world - which has run since 1981. According to the study of 24 countries, Britons are less likely than people from elsewhere to place importance on work. Increasingly, they also no longer believe that hard work brings a better life. Prof Bobby Duffy, the director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London says there is a growing sense that the social contract is broken. “It’s definitely true that the UK is not in a good place compared with other countries on both average income levels and inequality in income”. He goes on to say, “both are likely important in perceptions of whether work is worth it. When absolute incomes are stuck and people feel the dice is loaded against them while others get ahead, even if they work hard, then the motivation to work is going to be affected.” There is so much to debate in here. Work isn’t the most important thing in our lives and I have been guilty of forgetting that at points in my career. So, getting a balance, if you can, seems sensible. But, we do need to look at what is going on in organisations if employees, particularly younger workers, feel a lack of motivation and a lack of fairness in the workplace. Employees want and need a voice at work. Maybe some just want to do their job and go home. Either way, employers need to find a way of giving employees a genuine say in what happens to them at work and how they do their jobs and create an environment that gives people a sense of purpose and a sense of worth. There are so many different ways to increase participation or voice or whatever you want to call it – via unions, with employee representatives, with employee networks. Whatever method is used, we need to be talking about the big issues. Sometimes it feels we are scared to talk about pay gaps, economic inequality, in-work poverty, lack of worker participation and how these issues leave people feeling at work. We start to stray into political areas and that makes everyone uncomfortable. But if we don’t talk about them, the resentment builds up and eventually – as Professor Duffy says - the social contract is broken and this will be very hard to repair.

DEI doesn't stop with HR policies. In our recent longform report, we delved into how throwing events to celebrate events from all cultures helps bring DEI to the forefront of your team's minds, as well as making those from all cultures feel recognised. What events you celebrate will look different for each company, but we've put in some examples and you can read the full report for more (link in comments).

Ever since elementary school, I was the kid who 'talked back'—not out of disrespect, but that didn't matter. Back then, children were taught not to question adults. This trait, often seen as rebellious, has shaped my entire journey, transforming into what is now the heart and soul of the UNPLUG HR conference. UNPLUG isn't just an event I wanted to create; it's what I was created to do. It's the manifestation of challenging norms, of saying that HR is not just a support function but the backbone of every successful organization. This conference is my way of 'talking back' to an industry that's overdue for change, to corporate cultures that undervalue the incredible asset that is HR. We're here to shake things up, to showcase HR's true capability and value, and to address the mishandling and misunderstandings that have plagued our profession. UNPLUG is where we redefine what HR can and should be—a force for strategic change, empowerment, and advocacy within the business world. If you've ever felt the urge to 'talk back' against the circumstances that limit your impact in HR, if you're battling burnout, or if you're a business leader who truly wants to empower your HR team to reach new heights, UNPLUG is where you need to be. Join us as we challenge the norms, embrace our capabilities, and transform the way HR is perceived and practiced. This is not just a conference; it's a movement. Are you ready to be part of the change? Grab your ticket to the virtual sessions on April 2: https://lnkd.in/d6AgvPvY Join us LIVE in Atlanta on April 3-5: https://lnkd.in/g2Kv-dvA UNPLUG for work and plug in to Community! Let's "talk back" together!

🌟 Happy International Human Resources Day! 🌟 As HR professionals, we're often seen as the gatekeepers of rules and regulations, the guardians of company rights, and the enforcers of policies. In the fast-paced world of business, it's easy to get caught up in metrics, compliance, and procedures. Yet, I believe the true essence of HR lies in understanding, empathy, and connection. It's about being there for our colleagues, listening to their concerns, and striving to solve problems before they arise. Our role is to bridge the gap between the company's needs and the well-being of its people. We are the ones who ensure that every voice is heard, every issue is addressed, and every person feels valued. So, here's to all the HR professionals out there who balance the scales between corporate governance and human compassion. Let's continue to lead with our hearts, advocate for our people, and foster workplaces where everyone can thrive. Happy International Human Resources Day! 🥳