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Policy vs Practice: Why Safety Falls Short

February 10, 2026

We’ve teamed up with CultureCon to give away 50 free virtual live stream tickets to one of the year’s most anticipated events: CultureCon's AI Summit 2026! The link will stay open until Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 11:59PM CST

We can't wait to see you (virtually) at CultureCon's AI Summit 2026!

New research shows a gap between HR leaders’ confidence in safety systems and how workers actually experience them. Many workers find safety tools hard to use, and a large share of safety incidents go unreported. Some organisations still rely on paper systems, slowing responses and hiding patterns. Leaders see artificial intelligence as a future safety booster, but many workers aren’t yet convinced. This highlights the need to align tools and culture, not just documents, to make work safer. Read more.

HR Insights: Poor Hiring Practices Contributing to Talent Shortages

Many companies are struggling to fill roles not only because of a lack of candidates but due to outdated hiring practices that slow decision-making and screen out potential talent. Problems include long recruitment timelines, unclear skill requirements, and a mismatch between job criteria and real workforce needs. These issues make talent shortages worse and can damage productivity, morale, and retention. A strategic refresh of hiring practices can help organisations better compete for skills in today’s labour market. Read more.

HR Tips and Tricks

Tip: Set up a “decision rights matrix” that clearly maps who in your organisation has authority for each key HR decision (e.g., hiring approval, promotion sign-off, policy changes). This reduces bottlenecks and improves accountability so HR processes move faster and with fewer errors.

Trick: Use “candidate experience replay sessions” after each major hiring cycle. Bring your hiring team together to step through the real candidate journey from application to offer or rejection. This reveals hidden friction points in communication, timeline delays, or process confusion that data alone won’t show.

HR Case Files: Soldier Olympian Set to Break Biathlon Medal Barrier

Army Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin, a human resource specialist in the Vermont National Guard, is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina and could become the first American to win an Olympic biathlon medal. The sport combines cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting, requiring both physical endurance and steady focus. Irwin balances military duty with elite athletic training through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, showcasing how commitment, discipline, and resource support can drive peak performance. Read more.

Key Takeaways:

  • Combines dual roles: HR professional and elite athlete.

  • Represents the U.S. in a sport where no American has medaled yet.

  • Shows how structured support programs help talent excel both in career and competition.

HR Toolkit

Resources

CEOs are looking to HR leaders to take on broader roles, including shaping organisational strategy, driving talent development and embedding ethical practice across functions. In 2026, that means moving beyond administrative tasks to influencing long-term performance and resilience. This shift reflects growing recognition that people decisions directly impact business results, and HR leaders who speak the language of the C-suite will be better positioned to deliver value. Know more.

Events

CultureCon’s AI Summit 2026 is scheduled for April 21-23 in Madison, Wisconsin, with both in-person and virtual options. The event focuses on how artificial intelligence can support leadership, workplace culture, and collaboration while maintaining human-centered values. Attendees receive a certificate in AI and organizational culture leadership, and sessions cover practical adoption of AI in work settings.

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