The Office Block

Episode 14: International Women’s Day Podcast

For International Women’s day, we focus in on 2 issues.  We look at the gender pay gap and sexual harassment in the workplace.   Joined by Laura Bambrick from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and Denise Roche from the National Women’s Council of Ireland, we ask: What can be done to narrow the gap, and how widespread is sexual harassment in the workplace? With 4 out of 5 women who experience sexual harassment in the workplace not reporting it, Laura explains what needs to be done to make our workplaces better. Denise helps explian what the gender pay gap means in practise, and how pay transparency, legislation and a new workplace culture can help. Hosts Paul Dillon and Annemarie Butler take us through the topics. Remember to go to: www.theofficeblock.org [http://www.theofficeblock.org/] and check out @TheOBtweets for more. Join the Financial Services Union www.fsunion.org/join [http://www.fsunion.org/join].

Episode 13: Working to live or living to work?

Our latest episode drops at the height of a General Election campaign. We look at work-life balance and why it’s one of the health and safety issues of the century. What can be done to prevent overwork, burnout and stress? We talk to Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns with the Financial Services Union, about what the “right to disconnect” and ask what workplace polices should be introduced.   One of the main issues of the election has been the campaign to stop the planned increase of the pension age to 67 to 2021. This has been spearheaded by SIPTU with the #Stop67 campaign. We talk to SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Ethel Buckley about how the issue has mobilised activists and trade union members.    As always, you can tweet us @TheObtweets [https://twitter.com/theobtweets] and find us Facebook at the Office Block. Head over now to find details of our new poll on work life balance. For more, go to www.theofficeblock.org [http://www.theofficeblock.org/].

Episode 12: Game Workers Unite with Ellen Cunningham

Game Workers Unite in Ireland - a branch of the FSU - has been making some waves of late. The newly formed community of game workers is seeking improvements in terms and conditions across the sector, and have already had success in attracting activists, volunteers and members. In this latest edition of the Office Block Podcast, Game Workers Unite Ireland coordinator Ellen Cunningham talks to Paul Dillon about the Games industry in Ireland and workers are coming together to make change happen. They talk about some big issues facing Game Workers, and delve into some important topics affecting the sector which have captured headlines in the past. Episode 12 takes up a theme previously covered in Episode 5, where we discussed tech workers uniting and looked at the international Game Workers movement.  You can catch up on all our previous podcasts on  www.theofficeblock.org [http://www.theofficeblock.org]. Find us on twitter @TheOBtweets or on Facebook @theofficeblock

Episode 11: “Right to disconnect, mental health and more”

For our latest edition, we return to some familiar themes. In episode 2, we looked at automation and digitalisation. In this episode, we look at the impact of technology in the workplace.    Dr Caroline Murphy of the University of Limerick joins us to look at the recent FSU report "Technology Work and Skills: The Impact of Technology on Employees". We talk to Caroline about the 'right to disconnect' from work, and how the report was produced.   Minding mental health has also been a big topic here at the office Block. Previously, we talked about how the importance of mental health at work. We continue on that theme with Dec Coates, who is a sector committee member with the FSU.    A big thanks to both Dec and Caroline for joining us.  We would be grateful if you could spread the word. Find us on facebook @theofficeblock Find us on twitter @TheOBtweets

Episode 10: Rights at Work: Pay Trends in Ireland and Collective Bargaining

Rights at Work: Pay Trends in Ireland and Collective Bargaining    In this episode of the Office Block, we look at current pay trends in Ireland. What is happening in wages and salaries?  What is the role of trade unions in setting pay in Ireland. We drafted in Professor Bill Roche of UCD to look at the detail.   Collective bargaining is the process where unions agree pay, terms and conditions with employers which apply across society. It leads to better outcomes for workers, and more equal societies.    Why does collective bargaining matter? How does it work in practice? Why is collective bargaining under strain in Europe? To answer these questions and more, we asked Dr Valentina Paolucci of UCD.   We also look at collective bargaining in Ireland, and what can be done to advance rights and representation in the workplace.   As always, we want to hear from you. You can join the conversation over on our Facebook page (The Office Block) or on twitter @TheOBtweets