<![CDATA[Across The Table]]>Conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Hosted by Joe Perry, Across the Table explores what really happens when people meet across the table: managers and reps, leaders and teams, policy and practice. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.

]]>collaborater.orgRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 17 May 2026 05:59:40 GMTFri, 31 Oct 2025 16:55:30 GMT60Joe Perry<p>Conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Hosted by Joe Perry, Across the Table explores what really happens when people meet across the table: managers and reps, leaders and teams, policy and practice. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.</p>episodicJoe Perrycollaborater25@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Kindness is what makes work actually work]]>Kindness isn't soft. It's what makes work actually work.

Kind cultures aren't fluffy. They perform better, retain more people, and create environments where honest conversations can actually happen.

In this episode of Across the Table, host Joe Perry is joined by David Beeney, speaker, consultant and author of Breaking the Silence, to explore what kinder workplace cultures really look like and why kindness and performance are not in tension.

Drawing on nearly 40 years in the workplace and a decade helping organisations build cultures where people can be honest about their mental health, David shares practical insights on:

  • why "difficult conversations" is the wrong frame entirely
  • how line managers make or break culture, whatever senior leaders say
  • why mental health first aiders alone won't fix your organisation
  • what the one to 17 check-in can tell you that one to 10 never will
  • how being kinder to yourself makes you better at your job

We Discus

  • Why David hates the phrase "difficult conversations" and what to say instead [06:10]
  • The bank that asked 76,000 staff "do we care about you?" and what 50% said [09:17]
  • Why you can build a kind culture even when the one above you isn't [12:12] 
  • Sally's dog and what it taught David about transactional vs meaningful relationships [14:59] 
  • The man who was always 10 out of 10 and why that should have been a warning sign [14:59]
  • FIFO culture and who's really responsible for changing it [20:50] 
  • Why mental health first aiders are not enough [12:12] 
  • Two things every manager and leader can do on Monday morning [26:20]

Chapters

[00:00] Intro & David's story 

[03:54] Breaking the Silence - the book 

[06:10] Honest conversations, not difficult ones 

[09:17] Tone from the top 

[12:12] The role of line managers in kind cultures 

[14:59] Sally's dog & the 1 to 17 check-in 

[17:58] Kind cultures & performance - getting the balance right 

[20:50] What good leadership visibility looks like 

[23:28] Not turning managers into fluffy bunnies 

[26:20] Final thoughts on kindness and self-care

Where to find David Beeny

LinkedIn: David Beeney
Website: Breaking The Silence
Book: Breaking the Silence

Host: Joe Perry

LinkedIn: Joe Perry
Newsletter: Across The Table by Joe Perry
Website: collaboratER

About the show

Across the Table explores the conversations that shape work, and the people who have them. Practical, grounded discussions for HR professionals, managers, and leaders navigating modern ER and HR challenges.

For sponsorship inquiries: podcast@collaborater.org

]]>ad8aa182-c8cc-41ac-a1c8-300f1cc776ebWed, 29 Apr 2026 21:27:33 GMT<p><b>Kindness isn't soft. It's what makes work actually work.</b></p><p></p><p>Kind cultures aren't fluffy. They perform better, retain more people, and create environments where honest conversations can actually happen.</p><p></p><p>In this episode of Across the Table, host Joe Perry is joined by David Beeney, speaker, consultant and author of <i>Breaking the Silence</i>, to explore what kinder workplace cultures really look like and why kindness and performance are not in tension.</p><p></p><p>Drawing on nearly 40 years in the workplace and a decade helping organisations build cultures where people can be honest about their mental health, David shares practical insights on:</p><ul><li>why "difficult conversations" is the wrong frame entirely</li><li>how line managers make or break culture, whatever senior leaders say</li><li>why mental health first aiders alone won't fix your organisation</li><li>what the one to 17 check-in can tell you that one to 10 never will</li><li>how being kinder to yourself makes you better at your job</li></ul><p></p><p><b>We Discus</b></p><ul><li>Why David hates the phrase "difficult conversations" and what to say instead [06:10]</li><li>The bank that asked 76,000 staff "do we care about you?" and what 50% said [09:17]</li><li>Why you can build a kind culture even when the one above you isn't [12:12] </li><li>Sally's dog and what it taught David about transactional vs meaningful relationships [14:59] </li><li>The man who was always 10 out of 10 and why that should have been a warning sign [14:59]</li><li>FIFO culture and who's really responsible for changing it [20:50] </li><li>Why mental health first aiders are not enough [12:12] </li><li>Two things every manager and leader can do on Monday morning [26:20]</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><p>[00:00] Intro &amp; David's story </p><p>[03:54] Breaking the Silence - the book </p><p>[06:10] Honest conversations, not difficult ones </p><p>[09:17] Tone from the top </p><p>[12:12] The role of line managers in kind cultures </p><p>[14:59] Sally's dog &amp; the 1 to 17 check-in </p><p>[17:58] Kind cultures &amp; performance - getting the balance right </p><p>[20:50] What good leadership visibility looks like </p><p>[23:28] Not turning managers into fluffy bunnies </p><p>[26:20] Final thoughts on kindness and self-care</p><p></p><p><b>Where to find David Beeny</b></p><p>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-beeney-2096044/" target="_blank">David Beeney</a><br />Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.breakingthesilence.co.uk/" target="_blank">Breaking The Silence</a><br />Book: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.breakingthesilence.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">Breaking the Silence</a></p><p></p><p><b>Host: Joe Perry</b></p><p>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-perry-45ab1127" target="_blank">Joe Perry</a><br />Newsletter: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://joecollectiveer.substack.com/" target="_blank">Across The Table by Joe Perry</a><br />Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://collaborater.org/" target="_blank">collaboratER</a></p><p></p><p></p><p><b>About the show</b></p><p>Across the Table explores the conversations that shape work, and the people who have them. Practical, grounded discussions for HR professionals, managers, and leaders navigating modern ER and HR challenges.</p><p></p><p>For sponsorship inquiries: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:podcast@collaborater.org" target="_blank">podcast@collaborater.org</a></p>no00:30:104Kindness is what makes work actually workfull<![CDATA[Leading Change Without Losing People]]>Change programmes don’t fail because the plan is wrong.

They fail when the human experience is ignored.

In this episode of Across the Table, host Joe Perry is joined by Tara Jones, founder of The Good Change Consultancy, to explore what it really takes to lead change while protecting dignity, trust, and working relationships.

From system rollouts and restructures to new policies and operating models, organisations often pour time and money into business cases, timelines, and governance, while missing a simple truth: change only happens through people.

Drawing on decades of experience across central government, policing, higher education, charities, and highly unionised environments, Tara shares practical insights on:
- why “change resistance” is a misleading label
- why comms alone won’t build trust
- how dignity becomes the first casualty of poorly handled change and how leaders can make space for honest conversations without slowing delivery

This is a grounded, practical conversation about leadership, employee voice, compassionate challenge, and how to move away from permanent crisis mode, toward change that actually sticks.

We discuss
- Why change programmes lose sight of people [00:00]
- Dignity at work and the human cost of transformation [03:48]
- Why “change resistance” is the wrong diagnosis [07:25]
- Meaningful involvement vs “just doing some comms” [07:25]
- Outcomes before plans: what leaders get wrong [11:22]
- Trust, honesty, and saying “I don’t know” [12:39]
- Crisis mode, BAU, and fractured relationships [16:23]
- Compassionate challenge and asking better questions [19:38]
- Why honouring people can speed up delivery [22:36]
- One simple Monday-morning change leaders can try [25:16]

Chapters
- [00:00] Change programmes & the missing human truth
- [03:48] Dignity at work during transformation
- [07:25] Rethinking “change resistance”
- [11:22] Outcomes vs delivery plans
- [14:12] Leadership, urgency & space to think
- [16:23] Crisis culture & BAU reality
- [19:38] Compassionate challenge
- [22:36] Does human-centred change slow delivery?
- [25:16] A practical change you can make next week
- [26:45] Wrap-up & reflections

Where to find Tara Jones
- LinkedIn: Tara Jones
- Website: The Good Change Consultancy

Host: Joe Perry
- LinkedIn: Joe Perry
- Newsletter: Across the Table by Joe Perry
- Website: collaboratER

About the show
Across the Table is about the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@collaborater.org

]]>2315a626-726e-4410-a581-fa17c1bdd2d6Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:15:40 GMT<p>Change programmes don’t fail because the plan is wrong.<br /><br />They fail when the human experience is ignored.<br /><br />In this episode of Across the Table, host Joe Perry is joined by Tara Jones, founder of The Good Change Consultancy, to explore what it really takes to lead change while protecting dignity, trust, and working relationships.<br /><br />From system rollouts and restructures to new policies and operating models, organisations often pour time and money into business cases, timelines, and governance, while missing a simple truth: change only happens through people.<br /><br />Drawing on decades of experience across central government, policing, higher education, charities, and highly unionised environments, Tara shares practical insights on:<br />- why “change resistance” is a misleading label<br />- why comms alone won’t build trust<br />- how dignity becomes the first casualty of poorly handled change and how leaders can make space for honest conversations without slowing delivery<br /><br />This is a grounded, practical conversation about leadership, employee voice, compassionate challenge, and how to move away from permanent crisis mode, toward change that actually sticks.<br /><br />We discuss<br />- Why change programmes lose sight of people [00:00]<br />- Dignity at work and the human cost of transformation [03:48]<br />- Why “change resistance” is the wrong diagnosis [07:25]<br />- Meaningful involvement vs “just doing some comms” [07:25]<br />- Outcomes before plans: what leaders get wrong [11:22]<br />- Trust, honesty, and saying “I don’t know” [12:39]<br />- Crisis mode, BAU, and fractured relationships [16:23]<br />- Compassionate challenge and asking better questions [19:38]<br />- Why honouring people can speed up delivery [22:36]<br />- One simple Monday-morning change leaders can try [25:16]<br /><br />Chapters<br />- [00:00] Change programmes &amp; the missing human truth<br />- [03:48] Dignity at work during transformation<br />- [07:25] Rethinking “change resistance”<br />- [11:22] Outcomes vs delivery plans<br />- [14:12] Leadership, urgency &amp; space to think<br />- [16:23] Crisis culture &amp; BAU reality<br />- [19:38] Compassionate challenge<br />- [22:36] Does human-centred change slow delivery?<br />- [25:16] A practical change you can make next week<br />- [26:45] Wrap-up &amp; reflections<br /><br />Where to find Tara Jones<br />- LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tara-jones-1884728" target="_blank">Tara Jones </a><br />- Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thegoodchange.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Good Change Consultancy</a><br /><br />Host: Joe Perry<br />- LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-perry-45ab1127" target="_blank">Joe Perry</a><br />- Newsletter: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://joecollectiveer.substack.com" target="_blank">Across the Table by Joe Perry</a><br />- Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://CollaboratER.org" target="_blank">collaboratER</a> <br /><br />About the show<br />Across the Table is about the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.<br /><br />For sponsorship inquiries email: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:podcast@collaborater.org" target="_blank">podcast@collaborater.org</a></p>no00:28:403Leading Change Without Losing Peoplefull<![CDATA[How Small Teams Prepare for Big HR Changes: Absence, Day-One SSP Rights & Real-World ER Skills]]>Deb Rees (HR Manager at LSN Diffusion) returns for Episode 2, fresh from attending the CBI Roundtable in London and appearing on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme.

This episode explores how SMEs can prepare without panic as workplaces face major changes: the Keep Britain Working Review, the Employment Rights Bill, rising conflict and pressure on small HR teams.


Host Joe Perry looks at practical steps small organisations can take before changes land.

⚠️ Legislative Update: Recorded before the 27 Nov 2025 announcement. Unfair dismissal protection will now start after six months, not day one. Day-one rights to SSP and paternity leave are still due from April 2026.

We discuss:

  • Deb’s week: CBI Roundtable + BBC Radio 4 Today Programme [01:20]
  • Why UK HR is facing a “perfect storm” of pressures [02:40]
  • Deb’s SME HR framework: kindness, development, belonging [04:39]
  • Sick pay changes: SSP, waiting days & early contact [05:55]
  • Why letting sickness drift is “unkind” — and what SMEs must do [07:57]
  • Day-one rights: what changes and what SMEs need to prepare [10:10]
  • Conflict, tribunals & conciliation delays — early resolution [13:23]
  • Line manager capability & why soft skills training matters [17:35]
  • Wellbeing, neurodiversity & building belonging at work [21:34]

Chapters

  • [00:08] Intro + Deb’s week: CBI + BBC Radio 4
  • [02:40] The “perfect storm”
  • [04:39] SME HR priorities
  • [05:55] SSP & sickness changes
  • [07:57] Why absence drift is unkind
  • [10:10] Day-one rights & probation
  • [13:23] Conflict & early resolution
  • [17:35] Manager capability
  • [21:34] Wellbeing & belonging
  • [25:00] Wrap-up

Where to find Deb Rees

Referenced

Host: Joe Perry

About the show

Across the Table explores the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Practical, grounded discussions for HR professionals, managers, and leaders navigating modern ER and HR challenges.

For sponsorship inquiries: podcast@collaborater.org

]]>35440599-50ae-42c9-b215-24a82b8dbf84Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:27:03 GMT<p><b>Deb Rees (HR Manager at LSN Diffusion)</b> returns for Episode 2, fresh from attending the <b>CBI Roundtable in London</b> and appearing on the <b>BBC Radio 4 Today Programme</b>.</p><p></p><p>This episode explores how SMEs can <b>prepare without panic</b> as workplaces face major changes: the <b>Keep Britain Working Review</b>, the <b>Employment Rights Bill</b>, rising conflict and pressure on small HR teams.</p><p><br />Host <b>Joe Perry</b> looks at practical steps small organisations can take before changes land.</p><p></p><p><b>⚠️ Legislative Update:</b> Recorded before the 27 Nov 2025 announcement. Unfair dismissal protection will now start after <b>six months</b>, not day one. Day-one rights to <b>SSP and paternity leave</b> are still due from April 2026.</p><p></p><h3><b>We discuss:</b></h3><ul><li>Deb’s week: CBI Roundtable + BBC Radio 4 Today Programme [01:20]</li><li>Why UK HR is facing a “perfect storm” of pressures [02:40]</li><li>Deb’s SME HR framework: kindness, development, belonging [04:39]</li><li>Sick pay changes: SSP, waiting days &amp; early contact [05:55]</li><li>Why letting sickness drift is “unkind” — and what SMEs must do [07:57]</li><li>Day-one rights: what changes and what SMEs need to prepare [10:10]</li><li>Conflict, tribunals &amp; conciliation delays — early resolution [13:23]</li><li>Line manager capability &amp; why soft skills training matters [17:35]</li><li>Wellbeing, neurodiversity &amp; building belonging at work [21:34]</li></ul><h3><b>Chapters</b></h3><ul><li>[00:08] Intro + Deb’s week: CBI + BBC Radio 4</li><li>[02:40] The “perfect storm”</li><li>[04:39] SME HR priorities</li><li>[05:55] SSP &amp; sickness changes</li><li>[07:57] Why absence drift is unkind</li><li>[10:10] Day-one rights &amp; probation</li><li>[13:23] Conflict &amp; early resolution</li><li>[17:35] Manager capability</li><li>[21:34] Wellbeing &amp; belonging</li><li>[25:00] Wrap-up</li></ul><h3><b>Where to find Deb Rees</b></h3><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-rees-chartered-fcipd-llm-ilm-l7-02a08727/" target="_blank">Deb Rees</a></li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.lsndiffusion.com" target="_blank">LSN Diffusion</a></li></ul><h3><b>Referenced</b></h3><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-britain-working-review-final-report/keep-britain-working-final-report" target="_blank">Keep Britain Working Review</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.acas.org.uk/early-conciliation" target="_blank">ACAS &amp; early conciliation</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://skilledmanagers.org/" target="_blank">Skilled Managers Programme (Professor Saundry)</a></li></ul><h3><b>Host: Joe Perry</b></h3><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-perry-45ab1127" target="_blank">Joe Perry</a></li><li>Newsletter: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://joecollectiveer.substack.com" target="_blank">Across the Table</a></li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://CollaboratER.org" target="_blank">CollaboratER.org</a></li></ul><h3><b>About the show</b></h3><p><i>Across the Table</i> explores the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Practical, grounded discussions for HR professionals, managers, and leaders navigating modern ER and HR challenges.</p><p>For sponsorship inquiries: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:podcast@collaborater.org" target="_blank">podcast@collaborater.org</a></p>no00:25:392How Small Teams Prepare for Big HR Changes: Absence, Day-One SSP Rights & Real-World ER Skillsfull<![CDATA[The SME HR Playbook for Reducing Absence and Turnover]]>Deb Rees is the HR Manager at LSN Diffusion, a manufacturing SME in South Wales. Over recent years, her team has halved sickness absence (6% → ~2–3.5%), cut turnover (33% → 7.5%), and strengthened trust and engagement - all without corporate bureaucracy.

In this first episode, Deb joins host Joe Perry to share a practical SME HR “playbook” you can use on Monday morning.

We discuss:

  • Why SME HR can move faster - and where it’s uniquely hard [03:13]
  • Examples of “small org speed”: shift patterns, medical support, hardship loans [03:50]
  • The “family feel”: how proximity helps (and sometimes hurts) engagement [04:52]
  • Absence management that works: cost analysis, policy, training, KPIs [08:07]
  • Sustaining results: pay, bonuses, data culture, transparency [11:01]
  • How absence links to conflict and why honesty + support beat punishment [13:54]
  • Lifelong learning as a culture shift [16:31]
  • Avoiding overwhelm: imperfect action, self-care, networks [21:39]
  • Looking ahead: AI’s promise, EDI shifts, Employment Rights Act (2025) [26:58]

Chapters

  • [00:30] Intro & why SMEs matter
  • [03:33] The dynamics of SME HR
  • [06:22] Managing absenteeism & wellbeing
  • [09:38] Making policy & training stick
  • [12:22] Professional development that changes culture
  • [15:27] Networking, self-care, and focus
  • [18:18] The future of HR
  • [21:32] Wrap-up & key takeaways

Where to find Deb Rees:

Referenced

Recommended books

Host: Joe Perry  

About the show
Across the Table is about the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.


For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@collaborater.org

]]>14d5a8f4-8eb5-4da5-8f60-67aa80bf5b32Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:50:40 GMT<p><b>Deb Rees</b> is the HR Manager at <b>LSN Diffusion</b>, a manufacturing SME in South Wales. Over recent years, her team has <b>halved sickness absence (6% → ~2–3.5%)</b>, <b>cut turnover (33% → 7.5%)</b>, and strengthened trust and engagement - all without corporate bureaucracy.</p><p></p><p>In this first episode, Deb joins <b>host Joe Perry</b> to share a practical SME HR “playbook” you can use on Monday morning.</p><p></p><p><b>We discuss:</b></p><ul><li>Why SME HR can move faster - and where it’s uniquely hard <b>[03:13]</b></li><li>Examples of “small org speed”: shift patterns, medical support, hardship loans <b>[03:50]</b></li><li>The “family feel”: how proximity helps (and sometimes hurts) engagement <b>[04:52]</b></li><li>Absence management that works: cost analysis, policy, training, KPIs <b>[08:07]</b></li><li>Sustaining results: pay, bonuses, data culture, transparency <b>[11:01]</b></li><li>How absence links to conflict and why honesty + support beat punishment <b>[13:54]</b></li><li>Lifelong learning as a culture shift <b>[16:31]</b></li><li>Avoiding overwhelm: imperfect action, self-care, networks <b>[21:39]</b></li><li>Looking ahead: AI’s promise, EDI shifts, Employment Rights Act (2025) <b>[26:58]</b></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><ul><li><b>[00:30]</b> Intro &amp; why SMEs matter</li><li><b>[03:33]</b> The dynamics of SME HR</li><li><b>[06:22]</b> Managing absenteeism &amp; wellbeing</li><li><b>[09:38]</b> Making policy &amp; training stick</li><li><b>[12:22]</b> Professional development that changes culture</li><li><b>[15:27]</b> Networking, self-care, and focus</li><li><b>[18:18]</b> The future of HR</li><li><b>[21:32]</b> Wrap-up &amp; key takeaways</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Where to find Deb Rees:</b></p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-rees-chartered-fcipd-llm-ilm-l7-02a08727/" target="_blank">Deborah Rees</a></li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.lsndiffusion.com" target="_blank">LSN Diffusion</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Referenced</b></p><ul><li><b>Keep Britain Working:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-britain-working-review-discovery" target="_blank">Sir Charlie Mayfield</a></li><li><b>CIPD:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cipd.org/globalassets/media/knowledge/knowledge-hub/reports/2025-pdfs/8920-Health-and-wellbeing-report-2025.pdf" target="_blank">Health and Wellbeing Report 2025</a></li><li><b>Daniel Barnett:</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.danielbarnett.com/" target="_blank">Employment Law Resources</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Recommended books</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-65471-8" target="_blank"><b>Collective Employment Relations</b></a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Host: Joe Perry</b>  </p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-perry-45ab1127" target="_blank">Joe Perry</a></li><li>Newsletter: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://joecollectiveer.substack.com" target="_blank">Across the Table</a></li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://CollaboratER.org" target="_blank">collaboratER.org</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>About the show<br /></b><i>Across the Table</i> is about the conversations that shape work - and the people who have them. Thoughtful, grounded talks about how work works.</p><p><br />For sponsorship inquiries email: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:podcast@collaborater.org" target="_blank">podcast@collaborater.org</a></p>no00:29:291The SME HR Playbook for Reducing Absence and Turnoverfull