A Case of the Mondays

Hosted by Rameez Kaleem

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to A Case of Mondays with Rameez Kaleem! This is your essential weekly guide to the evolving world of people, pay, and performance. Hosted by Rameez Kaleem, a leading voice in pay and reward strategy and HR innovation, this podcast brings together the UK’s most forward-thinking HR leaders for real, insightful conversations about the future of employment. Each episode goes beyond buzzwords to explore the practical realities shaping today’s workplace — from building high-performing teams and designing effective reward systems, to tackling challenges in retention, bonuses, internal equity, and beyond. You’ll hear how top organisations are navigating talent shortages, pay transparency, hybrid work, and evolving employee expectations — with lessons you can apply in your own organisation.

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42 recent

August 3, 2026Episode 1432 min

S2E14 Why Belonging Is the Bedrock of Employee Engagement

Fitting in and belonging sound like much the same thing. Kristine Pollock argues they're opposites. Fitting in asks you to change so you'll be accepted. Belonging means being accepted as you already are.Kristine, Chief People Officer at International Logistics Group, has spent a lot of time researching this, and in this episode she and Rameez work through what it looks like day to day. They cover the signs that tell you whether people feel they belong, the "bubbles of belonging" that form when someone feels part of their immediate team but not the wider organisation, and where being yourself at work meets the reality of an organisation's values.There's a useful distinction on diversity in here too. Having a seat at the table is one thing. Having your voice actually heard is another.If engagement is on your agenda and the usual levers aren't shifting much, Kristine's suggestions on where to start are worth a listen.Kristine's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinepollock/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

March 2, 2026Episode 1027 min

S2E12 Equal vs Equitable: Rethinking Pay in a Unionised Environment

Collective bargaining sounds straightforward in theory, but the reality is far messier. Rebecca Chilcott, HR Transformation Manager at Veran Performance, knows this first-hand, and in this episode she talks openly about what it's actually like to negotiate pay conditions across multiple bargaining units.Rebecca and Rameez dig into why a solid job architecture matters so much when you're trying to make pay fair and explainable, how transparency changes the dynamic in negotiations, and what it really takes to get the business pulling in the same direction on pay equity.If you're working in an organisation where unions are part of the picture, or where pay structures have grown complicated over time, this conversation will give you some useful things to think about.Rebecca's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-chilcott-36526a58/Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/We hope you enjoyed this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

February 2, 2026Episode 1124 min

S2E11 Steps to Navigate Business Growth & Build an HR Function From the Ground Up

Most HR leaders struggle to demonstrate their strategicvalue during rapid organisational growth, but Rob Fox cracked the code. His journey into HR transformation offers actionable insights for any HR professional looking to shape their organisation’s future. You'll discover how Rob navigated scepticism from leadership by listening first, and the simplemindset shift that allowed HR to move from compliance to strategic partnership. Rob and Rameez break down specific tactics, includingworking backwards from future goals, prioritising what works, and fostering ownership across teams. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing processes, you'll walk away with proven frameworks, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on aligning HR with your business ambitions. Rob’s Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-fox-b452b93/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3r Strategy website here:https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the contentcoming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

January 5, 202620 min

SE2E10 How to Win the War for Talent When You're Outbid by Everyone Else

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays , Rameez Kaleem speaks with Amy Gillespie from St Peter’s Hospice about the unique challenges faced by HR leaders in the charity sector, particularly in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market dominated by larger organisations like the NHS. They discuss practical strategies for appealing to potential candidates beyond salary, the importance of community impact, and the common misconceptions about working in charity organisations. The conversation also touches on employee retention, the generational diversity within the workforce, and the need for charities to maintain a commercial mindset to thrive. Amy's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gillespie-cipd-2b5a173/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

December 8, 202526 min

SE02E09 What HR Gets Wrong About Money & Motivation

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Rebecca Hogan, an experienced HR Director in the renewable energy sector. They discuss the challenges and strategies of talent management, the importance of organisational values, and how to maintain culture during rapid growth. Rebecca shares insights on attracting Gen Z talent, the significance of transparency and flexibility in the workplace, and the role of authenticity in HR leadership. Rebecca's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hogan-10830048/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

November 24, 202535 min

SE02E08 What Gender Pay Gap Data Won't Tell You

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Natalie Molina about the importance of creating social value within organisations and how it can lead to meaningful change. They discuss the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) into social value, the challenges of measuring impact, and the significance of gender pay gap reporting. Natalie emphasises the need for organisations to look beyond mere compliance and to focus on pay equity and the long-term implications of their practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of small changes and employee engagement in driving social value initiatives, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Natalie's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-m-7866aa19/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

November 10, 202531 min

SE02E07 Navigating HR Challenges in Startups

In this episode, Rameez Kaleem speaks with Helen Graham about the unique challenges faced by start-ups in building effective HR functions. They discuss strategies for competing for talent against larger organisations, the importance of understanding what candidates value beyond salary, and the creative solutions that can be implemented to attract and retain employees. Helen emphasises the significance of leadership development and the timing for hiring dedicated HR support, as well as the potential of fractional HR staffing for start-ups. Helen's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-graham1/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

October 27, 202530 min

SE02E06 Making EDI a Core part of your People Agenda

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Deeba Ali, Head of People Services at Historic Environment Scotland, about the challenges facing people leaders in the realm of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). They discuss the unique aspects of the heritage sector, the importance of employee engagement and retention, and how to integrate EDI into the core agenda of organisations. Deeba shares insights on measuring success in EDI initiatives, addressing pay equity, and innovative recruitment strategies to enhance diversity. The conversation concludes with practical tips for HR leaders to foster an inclusive workplace culture. Deeba's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeba-ali-chartered-mcipd-52502b45/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

October 13, 202529 min

SE02E05 Navigating the Post-Covid Workplace | With Stephen Coffey

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays, host Rameez Kaleem and HR head Stephen Coffey discuss the ongoing challenges organisations face in getting employees back to the office post-COVID. They explore the balance between remote work and in-office attendance, the importance of creating an engaging workplace culture, and the need for flexibility, especially in the education sector. The conversation highlights generational differences in work preferences and emphasises the role of trust in fostering a productive work environment. Stephen draws parallels between workplace dynamics and themes from his favourite film, The Dark Knight Rises, illustrating the need for continuous reinvention in the face of challenges. Stephen's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-coffey/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3r Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team

September 29, 202524 min

SE02E04 - Building a Culture of Engagement

In this episode of A Case of the Mondays , host Rameez Kaleem speaks with Rebekah Holbrook, a strategic leader at Portsmouth Water, about the importance of creating workplace cultures where employees can thrive. They discuss the role of leadership in fostering engagement, the significance of psychological safety, and the challenges of attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. Rebekah shares insights on innovative approaches to talent management and the need for transparency in organisations, especially in relation to pay. The conversation emphasises the importance of understanding individual employee needs and moving away from traditional management practices to create a more inclusive and effective workplace. Rebekah's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-holbrook-21a8139/ Rameez's Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameezkaleem/ Visit the 3R Strategy website here: https://www.3r-strategy.com/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Rameez and the A Case of the Mondays Podcast Team