In this episode, Sarah Ropek and Claire Cathcart tackle a question they hear time and time again: if your managers are well-trained and having great conversations with their teams, do you really still need HR?

From the limits of manager capability and the hidden risks of “doing the right thing” to employment law pitfalls, tribunals, and the true cost of getting processes wrong, they unpack what HR actually adds beyond good people management. They explore where the line sits between manager responsibility and HR expertise, when businesses should start investing in HR support, and why HR isn’t there to block decisions — but to enable better ones.