Hybrid on Purpose: The New HR Playbook for Flexible Teams
When the world went remote, many organisations thrived, yet some are still wrestling with return-to-office mandates. In this episode of The Plumm Pod, host Georgia, sits down with remote-work specialist Grace Nichols to unpack the myths and mindsets behind location-flexible work.
Grace shares her unexpected journey from would-be barrister to HR leader, the burnout that pushed her to redesign her work life, and why autonomy over time is the new currency of success. Together they explore:
The real drivers of productivity (hint: it isn’t presenteeism).
Remote-first vs remote-friendly, why the difference matters for culture, communication and career growth.
Common missteps companies make when demanding a full office return and what HR can do instead.
Practical ways to build intentional in-person moments, mentor programmes and environments people want to work in.
How trust, transparent “why” messaging and the right workspace can turn hybrid into a competitive advantage.
Whether you’re an HR professional rethinking policy, a leader worried about performance, or a team member craving flexibility, this conversation offers fresh insights and actionable advice to help you design work that works for everyone.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Remote Work and HR
02:59 The Journey into HR and Remote Work Expertise
06:02 Benefits of Remote Work
08:48 Challenges and Resistance to Remote Work
11:56 The Importance of Communication and Intent in Hybrid Work
14:56 Remote-First vs. Remote-Friendly Companies
18:02 Creating a Productive Work Environment
20:49 Trust and Visibility in Remote Work
23:53 Advice for Young Professionals in HR
The Plumm Pod
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Here’s what you can expect:
– Real talk on workplace wellbeing and HR
– Practical advice for how to navigate the HR space
– Lessons from HR professionals and who’ve seen it all
– Honest stories about what it’s really like behind the scenes at work
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We’re an all-in-one HR and wellbeing platform built to help teams thrive. From payroll and learning tools to mental health support and our AI assistant, Emma, we help HR teams take care of people and processes, without the usual hassle.
Explore more at www.heyplum
- No. of episodes: 21
- Latest episode: 2025-05-15
- Business Management
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