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Future leader: Robyn Le Gallais

Le Gallais: Neurodiversity is one of HR's next big issues

Robyn Le Gallais, HR manager at the Supermarket Alliance, shares her vision for the future of HR.

How did you get started in HR?

By accident! I landed my first HR administration role after working in a bar. Seven years later, I now successfully manage a multijurisdictional role. I’m forever grateful to my first manager, who took a chance on me.


Read more: The new path to high-level HR, Part 1


What are your main HR concerns?

It can be difficult, particularly in heavily operational businesses, to help people see how HR contributes to the profit and loss lines. AI is a big concern for many organisations, in an already tight labour market. The continued development of AI could have a significant impact on what our workforce looks like over the coming years. The battle for talent cannot be overlooked too, especially in specialist roles.

What will become more important for HR over the next five years?

I can see the next big topics being awareness of and managing neurodiversity in the workplace, and fertility treatment support. As we create more open and inclusive environments, we must be prepared to support situations that people may have previously not shared.

What subjects will HR still be tackling when you retire?

While most businesses understand and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on a surface level, real, ingrained cultural shift takes time. My fear is that a lot of poor behaviours around DEI still exist below the surface level. I hope that we will be past having conversations about how different people provide real value to businesses.

How do you plan to change HR for the better?

I am often told “you’re not like other HR people,” which is both a massive personal compliment and a real shame for the profession. There are times when HR needs to be strategic, and protect the business, but there is a balance to be struck. I believe that HR professionals need to lead with compassion, and I intend to do just that.

 

This article was published in the September/October 2024 edition of HR magazine.

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