This Isn’t Working

Ep. 3. Why are unpaid internships still happening?

There are still too many unpaid internships around, but there are fewer than there were - and that's partly thanks to Tanya de Grunwald.
In this episode, Julie Scanlon interviews her co-host about her 'dark past' calling out Simon Cowell, Tony Blair and Philip Green over unpaid internships. The pair discuss why Tanya's activism was so successful in the 'golden era' of the 2010s, where and why progress stalled, and how the next generation of young campaigners could re-start the fight:
- What does the law say about unpaid internships - and why do people think an 'intern' is a special class of employee who needn't be paid, and doesn't need to eat or pay rent?
- If most interns are covered by the National Minimum Wage law, why isn't it being enforced properly?
- Why was naming-and-shaming such an effective campaign strategy between 2010 and 2014, and why does Tanya think it wouldn't work now?
- Why did the corporate world lead the way on ending unpaid internships in the 2010s, when challenged over them? Was it because it was 'the right thing to do' - or were there good business reasons, too?
- Why have some industries - such as media, fashion, politics and charity - been so reluctant to ditch unpaid internships? And is it a coincidence that these are the industries where they started?
- Why does Tanya think the politicians didn't do more to help end unpaid internships - and is the current reporting system fit for purpose?
- Why aren't young people angrier about unpaid internships? And, if an agreed strike would end unpaid internships overnight, why won't they do it?
- If fixing this challenge for 2024 and beyond needs fresh eyes, whose might those be?
- Why does Tanya love a 'David and Goliath' fight - and should 'Curious and Furious' be the title of her memoirs?
Enjoy the episode! PS. You may notice that Tanya doesn't mention the role of universities. That's because she's saving that for a future episode...
* PREFER TO WATCH? * This Isn't Working is also available on YouTube. 

Ep. 2. International Women's Day: What's not working?

Love it or loathe it, International Women's Day has become an essential date when every employer must... do what, exactly? And why? Does 8 March need a re-think, as well as a re-brand?
In this episode, Julie Scanlon (grumpy) and Tanya de Grunwald (grumpier) discuss whether anything about International Women's Day is still working for employers and employees, including:
- What is International Women's Day? Are we celebrating, protesting or both? And does it even have a place in the world of work?
- What's with the two themes? If the UN's is 'Invest in Women', who dreamed up the rival: 'Inspire Inclusion'? Why are we being told to make hearts with our hands - and might a different gesture better capture how grown women feel about being asked (yet again) to 'be kind'?
- What happens when employers' efforts to mark IWD clash with female employees' resentment around bread-and-butter issues like the gender pay gap, maternity policy, career progression and sexual harassment?
- Can men ever get IWD right - and are LinkedIn posts about their wife/mum/daughter cute or cringe-inducing?
- Are women having an identity crisis in 2024? Are we impossible to please, when female colleagues are divided ourselves, for example over workplace policies on menopause, menstruation and trans inclusion?
- If we had a magic wand, what would we want to see employers do for IWD? How can it be made more meaningful?
- After this 20-minute rant, is there a chance that IWD 2025 will be the best one yet - and Tanya will finally get the point of the whole thing?
Decide for yourself... Enjoy the episode!

Ep. 1. Is DEI about to DIE?

Why did Elon Musk say that 'DEI must DIE' - and how many people share his view? If there are signs that a backlash is brewing against diversity, equity and inclusion, why are HR and DEI professionals dismissing opposition as a 'right-wing culture war' that should be ignored? Is this failure to engage with criticism a further sign that something is seriously wrong with an industry that was meant to be about doing the right thing?
In this episode, Julie and Tanya discuss whether it's time for the industry to start some serious soul searching:
- What has gone wrong with DEI - and when did the trouble start?
- Why are the 'right' beliefs presented as a package, and when did it become taboo to raise questions about any of it?
- Are a small number of 'drunk drivers' taking DEI off a cliff?
- What does the growing number of tribunals relating to protected characteristics in the Equality Act tell us about the true state of workplace cultures?
- Did HR directors take their eye of the ball, failing to recognise the business risks that 'bad DEI' poses to their organisation?
- Why do some heads of DEI seem to be building an echo chamber for themselves - and when did it become normal to 'block' challenge from industry peers on LinkedIn?
- And is this the first DEI podcast to mention Triggernometry?
 
Will DEI survive? That depends on how the industry responds...