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HR Hacks & Halos

HR Hacks & Halos

By: Jivan Dempsey
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 "We're changing company culture - one episode at a time!" With an alarming £23.6 billion lost each year in productivity through high absenteeism, low morale, stress and mental health issues, a revolving door of high turnover and potential brand damage, its time to change workplace toxicity, call out bad behaviours and let's make our workplaces happier and more productive places to be! Featuring a mix of solo content and guest interviews with workplace experts why not grab a coffee and join me, Jivan Dempsey, and prepare for thought-provoking conversations and revealing stories from the Boardroom to the Shopfloor. There are some practical HR hacks to address workplace toxicity, elevate morale, improve mental health and productivity, and we'll polish a few HR halos as we empower and celebrate you driving positive change. This podcast is an essential resource for anyone interested in workplace culture and wellness. So put your headphones on and help us change company culture—one episode at a time!2025 Jivan Dempsey Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Understanding The Role of Workplace Culture in Mental Health

    Understanding The Role of Workplace Culture in Mental Health
    Sep 14 2025
    In this episode, Jivan addresses the critical issue of suicide in the workplace, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day. Drawing from personal experiences and stark statistics, Jivan emphasises the responsibility of all employees, not just HR professionals, to recognise warning signs and foster a supportive environment. The episode explores the complexities surrounding suicide, including its prevalence among specific demographics and professions, and highlights the importance of open conversations about mental health. KEY TAKEAWAYS Suicide is not just a personal tragedy; it is a significant workplace issue that affects employees and their families. Organisations have a responsibility to address mental health and suicide prevention actively. Employees and managers should be aware of warning signs that someone may be struggling, such as withdrawal from social interactions, changes in routine, or expressions of hopelessness. Early recognition can lead to timely support. It is crucial for organisations to foster a culture where mental health conversations are normalised, and vulnerability is respected. This includes ensuring that employees feel safe to speak up about their struggles without fear of judgment. Organisations should integrate suicide prevention into their health and safety policies, provide training for managers, and improve access to mental health resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs and Mental Health Champions. Building personal connections and showing genuine care can make a significant difference. Encouraging open dialogue and offering support can help individuals feel less isolated and more willing to seek professional help. BEST MOMENTS "Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide. In the UK, it remains the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50." "Suicide is a tragedy, every case is a tragedy, but it's not just a personal tragedy, it's a workplace issue too." "We can't fix it just with a rah-rah during, say, mental health week or holding up some posters about wellness. It needs real, sustained effort." "If you're hearing some of the things that I've just described, those are certain indicators. Why not take that moment to build a connection?" "This is everyone's problem. Suicide is a human crisis. And because we spend a third of our lives at work, it's a workplace crisis as well." HOST BIO Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved. Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger. As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all. Please connect with her on Linked In: Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn Or send her an email at: jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com www.fiverivers-consulting.com HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    21 mins
  • "Hypno-therapy" for Leadership Growth

    "Hypno-therapy" for Leadership Growth
    Sep 8 2025
    In today's episode, Jivan engages in a thought-provoking conversation with high-performance coach and hypnotherapist Stuart Wade. They explore the critical concept of a Leadership Mindset, delving into the nuances of what it means to lead effectively in today's complex workplace. Stuart shares insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the importance of aligning one's subconscious and conscious mind to foster positive leadership behaviours. KEY TAKEAWAYS A leadership mindset is crucial for effective leadership, as it influences how leaders communicate their vision and interact with their teams. It involves aligning both the subconscious and conscious mind to be the best version of oneself. Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for leaders to address limiting beliefs and negative behaviours that may stem from past traumas. By tapping into the subconscious, leaders can rewire their thought patterns and improve their overall effectiveness. Leaders should conduct a self-inventory to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Seeking honest feedback from trusted colleagues can provide valuable insights into their leadership style and areas for improvement. Understanding cultural differences is essential for leaders, especially in global teams. Effective communication and leadership strategies must be tailored to respect and accommodate diverse cultural backgrounds. Leaders should clarify their vision in detail, utilising all senses to visualise it. This clarity not only strengthens their own understanding but also enhances their ability to communicate the vision effectively to their teams, fostering alignment and motivation. BEST MOMENTS "If we are able to get our subconscious mind and conscious mind in alignment, we can be the best possible version of ourselves." "The best leaders are able to balance doing things right with making sure that we're doing the right things." "Our brains don't fully know the difference between what's going on in here and what's going on outside in the real world." "If there's something that's misaligned or some negative thoughts. It's going to creep out into other aspects." HOST BIO Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved. Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger. As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers HR services and bespoke consultancy to help growing businesses navigate change, deliver a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all. Please connect with her on Linked In: Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn Or send her an email at: jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com www.fiverivers-consulting.com HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    50 mins
  • How Othering Shapes Our Society and Work Culture

    How Othering Shapes Our Society and Work Culture
    Sep 1 2025
    In this episode, Jivan delves into the concept of 'othering', exploring why individuals and groups are often treated as fundamentally different from the norm. Drawing on insights from a previous discussion with Michelle Hartley, Jivan examines the psychological underpinnings of othering, its implications in society, and its pervasive impact within workplace culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Othering is the act of treating individuals or groups as fundamentally different from oneself, often leading to division and exclusion based on various characteristics such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The tendency to other is hardwired into humans as a survival mechanism from our evolutionary past, where distinguishing between "us" and "them" helped assess threats. However, in modern society, this instinct can lead to division and violence. Othering is often exploited by those in power to distract from systemic issues, such as inequality and corporate exploitation, by redirecting public anger towards marginalised groups instead of addressing the root causes of societal problems. Othering manifests subtly in workplaces, leading to biases in hiring, team dynamics, and promotion decisions. This can result in lower employee engagement, higher turnover, and a loss of innovation and productivity. To combat othering, HR professionals should implement interventions beyond awareness training, such as promoting diverse contributions, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and tying inclusion metrics to performance reviews to foster a more inclusive workplace culture. BEST MOMENTS "Othering is when we treat other people or groups as fundamentally different. They're either alien or they're outside the norm or basically they're just not one of us." "Othering reflects power. It's the dominant group who gets to define who's in and effectively who's out." "Every time we make someone the other, we're shrinking the size and the richness of our own experience and of our own community." "It's easier to exclude than to empathise." "When we stop othering, we start building and including." HOST BIO Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved. Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger. As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and more inclusive workplaces for all. Please connect with her on Linked In: Jivan Dempsey FCIPD GMBPsS | LinkedIn Or send her an email at: jivan@fiverivers-consulting.com www.fiverivers-consulting.com HR Change Manager’s Handbook: The 3 Step Guide To Managing HR Transformation: https://amzn.eu/d/drvToPv Are you working in a toxic environment? Take our free quiz to find out https://bit.ly/3BPZXSR This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    16 mins
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