In this episode of Barely Legal, Morally Wrong we ask a simple question: does HR need a glow up? We look at how HR moved from the heroes of the COVID years to a function pulled in every direction. We talk about line managers off-loading people issues, the rise of D and I and whether the spend delivers, AI-written grievances, DSARs and FOIs that drain time, and the pressure to meet every need for every person. We also ask when HR can say no, what a fair pushback looks like, and why a safe space for HR matters.
Expect straight talking, practical takeaways, and one question at the end: was it barely legal or morally wrong?
This conversation is for information only and not legal advice. Subscribe for new episodes every month.

In this special episode of Barely Legal, Morally Wrong, recorded live at the launch night of Meekison MacKinnon & McGhee, Alix and Mandy take the stage at Burness Paull LLP’s Edinburgh office for a conversation that goes back to where it all began.

They look at what inspired the creation of Barely Legal, Morally Wrong, the journey that led to Alix starting her own company, and the themes that continue to shape both her work and the podcast.

It is a lively, personal discussion filled with reflection, laughter and insight, offering listeners a closer look at the story behind the show and the person driving it forward.

This conversation is for information only and not legal advice. Subscribe for new episodes every month.

In our first episode of Barely Legal, Morally Wrong, Alix Meekison and Mandy Laurie unpack the Astronomer CEO scandal. Mandy, head of the employment team at Scottish law firm Burness Paull LLP, looks at the legal side in plain English what the rules actually say about consensual relationships at work, disclosure duties and conflicts of interest. Alix coming from her decades of experience in HR, digs into people and culture power dynamics, whistleblowing, how colleagues are affected and why leadership behaviour sets the tone.

Along the way they compare other recent CEO stories and ask why today it is often the boss who goes. Is this accountability overdue, performative, or both.

Expect straight talking, practical takeaways and one simple question at the end was it barely legal or morally wrong.

This conversation is for information only and not legal advice. Subscribe for new episodes every month.