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Sept 2023

Harrogate's 'HR detective' launches new podcast to solve workplace 'people puzzles'

Published: 27 Sep 2023, 15:58 BST

Updated: 27 Sep 2023, 16:07 BST

by John Grainger

HR expert and podcaster Jo Gorse.

This story is sponsored by Gorse Culture POD.

A Harrogate HR expert has turned detective to help fellow professionals “solve the people puzzle” through a series of free podcasts.

Jo Gorse, who works with clients across the UK and internationally, is teaming up with a different special guest each week to unpick HR issues common to all kinds of business. She said:

“I love TV detective shows, and in some ways, what I do follows a similar format. My podcasts investigate common issues, talk to expert witnesses, and come up with actionable solutions. This is the HR Detective Agency, where we help you solve the ‘people puzzle’ one piece at a time.”

Jo has the highest level of HR qualification – the equivalent of a Master’s degree – accredited by industry body the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), is a qualified coach in change management, and has worked with large public-sector organisations as well as private-sector multinationals.

In each Gorse Culture PODcast, she uses her expertise to dissect issues that HR professionals frequently have to deal with. So far, Jo and her guests, from as far afield as the USA and Sri Lanka, have looked at issues including psychological safety, creating fair and transparent reward systems, and supporting staff attendance with the right mindset.

The new podcast episode, released on Wednesday (September 27), will feature guest Glenn Martin, founder & CEO of Never Mind The Job Spec, who will join Jo to look at human-centred recruitment to solve retention problems.

Jo said:

“One organisation I worked with had 45% staff turnover, plus a lot of absence due to stress. I found the organisation didn’t really have any support mechanisms in place. People would be formally monitored about their absences, but receive very little support. Employees became disengaged, and it created a culture of low motivation, which impacted the business's targets.

“It needed a cultural transformation, which included managers acknowledging the problem, as well as employee engagement in setting the future focus of the company. As a result, staff ended up measurably happier and the company started holding on to its employees. Everyone benefited.”

Jo has created the podcast series specially for business leaders and HR professionals to tackle their companies' 'people puzzles'. She said:

“Their business might have had a growth spurt, or they may have to take the difficult decision to make redundancies, or manage employee relations issues, such as complex investigations.

“These podcasts break down the problem and discuss how best to approach it. We examine it, pick it apart, and come up with clear, practical answers.”

Find out more:

You can download Human-centred Recruitment to Solve Retention, with Glenn Martin, as well as all previous podcasts and show notes for each episode, on Jo’s website.

To apply for a guest slot on a podcast episode, to give feedback on any of the issues discussed, or to submit your 'people puzzle' for podcast examination by the HR Detective Agency, email hello@gorseculturepod.com.