Is HR under attack – and is the CIPD having an identity crisis?

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Ho ho ho – it’s time for a festive ding-dong! As HR teams were heading towards a well-earned Christmas break, two stinging critiques of our industry landed in the press, accusing us of being a drag on the UK economy, and – frankly – getting on everyone’s nerves.

The CIPD released a statement that drew mixed responses, including suggestions the industry body has itself lost its way, and is over-charging members, while failing to deliver what they really need.

If you missed the articles by Pamela Dow in the New Statesman and Iain Martin in the Times, you need to catch up. Also check out the response from CIPD CEO Peter Cheese – and the comments below it. In a word: Oof.

This story looks set to run well into 2025, and This Isnt Working will keep reporting as it develops.

In the meantime, we wanted to mark what’s just happened – which looks like a watershed moment for the UK’s HR industry.

Plus, we have an exclusive update from Pamela, who tells us that she’s pleased to have sparked a healthy debate – and looks looks forward to appearing on the podcast herself in the New Year!

In this conversation with Levi Pay, director at higher education training and consultancy agency Plinth House, Tanya de Grunwald asks:

  • WHAT QUESTIONS DID THE TWO ARTICLES POSE FOR THE UK’S HR INDUSTRY? What were Pamela and Iain’s aims? Were they politically motivated – and was this a co-ordinated attack?
  • IS ANY OF THE CRITICISM FAIR? For example, have too many HR teams become muddled about whether their priority is their organisation, or their employees? Does a disproportionate focus on wellbeing and performative inclusion activities suggest confusion about HR’s core purpose, and a need for a reset?
  • HOW DID THE CIPD RESPOND TO THE ARTICLES? Peter Cheese’s long statement was noticeably light on content. Was it even worth making – and what does it say about whether his organisation understands the nature and seriousness of the challenges ahead?
  • IS THE CIPD FACING AN IDENTITY CRISIS? We highlight some comments posted below Peter’s statement – and some of the most popular are pretty brutal. Is it news to the CIPD that members are grumbling about value for money? How likely is it that we’ll see a change of direction from here?
  • IS A SCHISM EMERGING BETWEEN HR PROFESSIONALS? While some want to engage with criticism and reflect on improvements and efficiency, others seem keen to dismiss critiques as bad faith or politically motivated, and want to push on as planned. Does this split spell trouble ahead for the UK’s HR industry, in 2025?

Enjoy the episode!